The collection includes the world's first-ever hovercraft, the SR.N1, which first crossed the English Channel in 1959.
The museum site was a frontline airbase during the D-Day landings in 1944.
It houses the massive SR.N4, the largest commercial hovercraft ever built, capable of carrying 418 passengers and 60 cars.
The site features a rare Ramped Craft, designed to operate in extreme amphibious environments.
Many exhibits were saved from the scrap heap by a dedicated group of enthusiasts and former engineers.
The museum serves as a primary hub for global hovercraft research and historical preservation.
Visitors can see interior cockpits of retired military and civilian craft, rarely accessible to the public.
The Hovercraft Museum is the world’s only museum dedicated exclusively to the history and technology of hovercrafts. Located at the former HMS Daedalus naval base, the site preserves significant maritime and aviation heritage in original hangar facilities. The collection features over 60 craft ranging from early prototypes to large commercial passenger vehicles. Visitors can view the iconic craft used in the James Bond film Die Another Day. The museum highlights the engineering evolution of air-cushion vehicles from Sir Christopher Cockerell’s initial concepts. Interactive displays explain the physics of lift and propulsion unique to this mode of transport. The site maintains a functional archive of original blueprints and historical technical documentation. Several restored craft remain in operational condition for special demonstration events.
The wide-angle vantage point near the SR.N4 behemoth provides the most impressive perspective of the scale of the collection.
Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes as the hangar floor surfaces can be uneven.
Check the museum's official website or social media before travelling to verify if special 'engine-running' days are scheduled.
Bring a light jacket, as the large, unheated hangar spaces can be drafty even in summer.
Don't assume all craft are open for interior access; ask staff which specific cockpits are safe to enter.
The museum operates on a seasonal basis and is typically open only on select days of the week; verify the current schedule online before arrival.
Do not touch the exhibits unless explicitly marked as interactive; follow all barriers and signage near restoration areas.
