Scramble for Blackpool for Battle of Britain Day

85 years on from the Battle of Britain, of which Winston Churchill said, “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few,” families have the opportunity to scramble to Blackpool and really understand the world of RAF air crew during the defence of Britain.

If they do that on September 14 or on Battle of Britain Day itself on September 15, they can also see a real Spitfire fly in, or, if they want a bucket-list experience, arrange to fly in it.

Summer through to Autumn 1940 was the time when the Luftwaffe suffered enormous losses, thanks to the bravery of RAF personnel all trained in one location – Blackpool.

The way in which the whole town became a grey and blue sea of RAF uniforms parading along the promenade, and diving into the theatres that held variety performances on rest days, is brought to life at the Spitfire Visitor Centre: Hangar 42.  

Housed in the original 1939 hangar erected at RAF Squires Gate, this wholly volunteer-run attraction is passion personified.  This underpins compelling storytelling that brings each wartime exhibit to life, whether that is a plane, an engine, black and white photographs or an oxygen mask.  All aspects of the daily lives and routines of the 835,000 RAF personnel who passed through Blackpool are put under the spotlight.

The attraction shakes with the noise of planes flying overhead, as they land or take off from Blackpool airport, which really helps with the time-travel back to wartime Britain.  The rickety looking and wholly authentic hangar is home to atmospheric spitfires, into which you can climb for a cockpit photo.  One of these – Holly - featured as ‘Vicky’ in David Walliams’ Grandpa’s Great Escape, something sure to thrill the kids.   Look beyond that and you will see that the main floor display features a German ME109 and a Hurricane too. 

The attraction also has an ops room, where you can appreciate how aircraft manoeuvres were planned.  It boasts an ‘archaeology room’ featuring a retrieved German JU88 engine and many other items.  A briefing room assists with an understanding of how crews were equipped with knowledge, whilst a scramble hut provides some feel for those moments that preceded take-off for yet another danger-filled mission in the sky.

There are exhibits and photos galore and the story of Amy Johnson, who flew her last fateful flight from Blackpool, is also brought to life.  

If you can break away from the passionate storytelling volunteers, each a mine of information, you can let the kids play on a mini-Spitfire simulator, or treat yourself to something truly special – a one-hour flight Sim experience in the world’s only full-size flight simulator, flying a replica Spitfire Mark V (£140 per hour). For more details and to book a flight visit http://www.ravencockpits.co.uk/)   

At a much lower additional cost, of just £5, you can board a flight to Berlin in a virtual reality experience that lets you live and feel the tension within the plane during a bombing raid on Germany.  With the support of original commentary from such a mission, recorded by BBC War Correspondent, Wynford Vaughan Thomas, this is an incredible way to experience everything. That ranges from the flak, and the probing searchlights hitting the plane, to the relief when an aggressive German fighter plane, tailing you after the bomb drop, is shot down.

But there is so much more to see, hear and do within the standard entry fee of £10 for adults, £6 for children aged 6-16.  Those under-6  enter for free, as do armed forces veterans.  You could also take advantage of a chance to see a ‘Wartime Blackpool’ exhibition at the Showtown Museum in Blackpool, by buying a Wings & Wonders joint ticket for both attractions.  This costs £15 for an adult or £7.50 for a child, representing a 25% saving across both.

Whichever you decide to do, a visit to Hangar 42 really is a not-to-be-missed treat before its season’s closure on October 28.  Head there from Saturday to Tuesday each week, during the visiting times of 10am to 4pm, being sure to be there before last entrance, at 2.30pm.

But should you want the ultimate Battle of Britain experience on September 14 or 15, there’s the opportunity to fly a real-live two-seater Spitfire and combine this with your visit. Blackpool.  If you have the £3250 required for this treat, you can take the controls of the veteran plane and really understand the flying world of an RAF Spitfire pilot.

Head to www.spitfirevisitorcentre.co.uk for more information and to plan your visit to this brilliant visitor attraction that will help you see Blackpool through new eyes.

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Editors notes

The Spitfire Visitor Centre, found in Hangar 42 at Blackpool Airport, is a hidden gem and winner of the Small Visitor Attraction of the Year Award, in the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2025. Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2025, this wonderful attraction combines vintage aircraft and air paraphernalia, with atmospheric exhibits, nostalgia aplenty and wonderful wartime storytelling from passionate volunteers who are mines of information. With Spitfires, German bomber, Hurricane, the only full-size Spitfire simulator in the world, a mini simulator and the chance to experience a virtual reality wartime bombing raid, a visit to Hangar 42 and the Spitfire Visitor Centre is a must-do in Blackpool.