SPITFIRE AND WW2 THEMED TOUR. CAN INCLUDE A FLIGHT IN A SPITFIRE SIMULATOR. (Spitfire simulator is an ADDITIONAL COST AND SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY)
SPITFIRE AND WW2 THEMED TOUR.
Visit local sites relating to the Battle of Britain, Spitfires, Hurricanes and WW2 fortifications.
This is a tour that visits our local sites that related to the Battle of Britain, Spitfires, Hurricanes and some World War 2 fortifications. A flight in a Spitfire Simulator is available with advanced booking.
The Spitfire and Hurricane Museum at Manston. (Approximately 30 minutes drive from Dover).
The Manston Spitfire and Hurricane Museum is free to enter although voluntary donations are encouraged. Spitfire flight simulation is available £10/10 minutes. This is an unbelievably thrilling and exhilarating experience. A £30, (30 minute) flight, is strongly recommended. A great way to start the day. Available from 10:00. On our journey there we will pass a significant Roman site, Richmond Fort. Depending on the time of collection some attractions might be visited along the way.
The RAF Museum Manston
Located at the same site as the Spitfire and Hurricane Museum, entry is £5. Although not specifically Spitfire or Hurricane related, this is a fantastic aeronautical museum featuring many whole and part aircraft, extensively detailing the history of RAF plane evolution. The wartime street reconstruction is a powerful way of experiencing how local life during World War Two felt. This is a really interesting, engaging and beautifully presented museum.
Features on our drive back towards Dover area.
On the way to Manston or returning to the Dover, we will pass and have options to stop at or at least drive through or past a number of different sites. The scenic drive in itself takes in the beautiful English countryside and coastal scenery. Options of stopping at these sites will depend on lunch options and whether a visit to a second Spitfire Museum in Hawkinge (£10 adult, £9 concessions and £4 Children) is chosen.
The options on route back to Dover include,
- The Viking Long-ship at Pegwell Bay/Cliffsend,
- Ham/Sandwich road sign, (a novel photo opportunity)
- The historic town of Sandwich,
- Deal pier, telephone box and promenade with fishing boats,
- Deal Castle,
- Walmer Castle,
- Kingsdown (the end of the white cliffs in this area).
- St Margret's Bay,
- The South Foreland Lighthouse vantage point.
- Site of Battle of Britain Airfield and Memorial
- Bleriot's Memorial
- Big Gun Fortifications on the Western heights.
- Dover Sea Front
LUNCH.
Somewhere along our return journey we would stop for lunch at a setting of your choice. A Coffee shop/Tea Room, a ‘beach side’ pub or restaurant or a ‘country’ pub or restaurant? With notice, I can book in advance on your behalf.
After lunch and in an order dependent on choices made in the morning, we would then move on to...
The Battle Of Britain Memorial. Full size Spitfire and Hurrican Replicas.
This, cliff top visitors centre and official national monument, is free to enter (although donations are encouraged) and is one of many places that prompt pause for reflection. Visits and reflection can be poignantly punctuated by the sight and sound of Spitfires flying overheard.
Hawkinge Spitfire Museum.
This large 'Spitfire Museum' boasts an unrivaled and extensive array of Battle of Britain memorabilia and artifacts from over 700 crashed aircraft. Additional entry required £10 adult, £9 concessions and £5 children.
The White Cliffs, Samphire Hoe or Dover Sea Front
Depending on time and preferences, your last activity of your tour is offered as a walk along a section of the white cliffs, a visit to the foot of the cliffs at Samphire Hoe or a return to Dover Seafront for a relax on the beach. This choice can be made on the day. The clifftop walk may be walking a three mile section, 'point to point' or perhaps just a gentle stroll there and back, perhaps to take in Abbotts Cliff sound mirror, ww2 fortifications and the beautiful and dramatic views from this area. Again, a really good chance of seeing Spitfires in the air from all of these sites.
Tour Collection and Conclusion
Collection can be from a location of your choosing. The tour can conclude at a point of your choosing too providing it is no further than the point from which you were collected at the start of the day although this can be offered for an additional charge.
Perhaps you would choose to finish your day at one of the stops and make the most of your time outside of the tour arrangements. This is fine too.