Maidenhead Heritage Centre

Type:Museum

18 Park Street, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 1SL

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 133 reviews133 reviews

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Tel01628 780555

Maidenhead Heritage Centre: man and boy enjoying the Spitfire Simulator

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About

Learn all about the history of Maidenhead AND fly in a Spitfire simulator at this little gem of a museum!

The history of Maidenhead can be told through its River, its Roads and its Railway, for the fortunes of the town depend largely on transportation and communications.

In its permanent and temporary exhibitions, Maidenhead Heritage Centre tells the story of the town and its relationships to older nearby villages and towns (there was a Roman villa at Cox Green and Cookham and Bray were recorded in the Domesday Book). 

It records the significance of the building in 1250 of the first wooden bridge across the Thames, carrying the road from London to Bath and Bristol and establishing the town at a key location along this route. 

During Georgian times the present stone bridge was built and Maidenhead grew rich from the coaching trade. 

The prosperity of the area was further enhanced in Victorian times, when Brunel built his famous Great Western Railway right through the town. His unique brick built “Sounding Arch” bridge still carries the railway across the Thames. Although the railway was the death knell of the coaching trade, Maidenhead’s Riverside area became fashionable tourist destination, right up until the outbreak of the First World War.

The town has been home to many celebrities and important historical figures, and was chosen to host the Brigade of Guards Boat Club, sited beside the river near the bridge – the resulting influx of Victorian and Edwardian high society was both stimulating and scandalous!

Also housed at the Heritage Centre is the internationally important collection telling the story of the Air Transport Auxiliary, which was headquartered at nearby White Waltham throughout the Second World War. 

This was a civilian, volunteer unit, supporting the RAF by helping to ferry aircraft between factories and front-line squadrons.  Its male AND female pilots came from 25 different countries, including the USA.   Their adventures of courage, skill and sacrifice are told in the permanent  Grandma Flew Spitfires exhibition.

You can also step back in time and fly a Spitfire in our unique simulator – experience for yourself what it must have been like for these young and adventurous pilots during the 1940s!

Book Tickets

Guide Prices

Ticket TypeTicket Tariff
1. General AdmissionFree
2. ATA museum and the “Grandma Flew Spitfires” exhibition (adult)£3.50 per ticket
3. ATA museum and the “Grandma Flew Spitfires” exhibition (concession)£3.00 per ticket
4. ATA museum and the “Grandma Flew Spitfires” exhibition (child 11-16)£2.00 per ticket
5. ATA museum and the “Grandma Flew Spitfires” exhibition (under 11s)Free
6. Spitfire Simulator (30 minutes)£30.00 per ticket

General admission is free. Charges apply to the Grandma Flew Spitfires permanent exhibition and flights on the Spitfire Simulator.

Spitfire Simulator: 30 minutes is the minimum time recommended for adults and children aged 16+. For younger children (9+) the time can be shared between two ‘pilots’.

Facilities

Accessibility

  • All Areas Accessible to Disabled Visitors

Establishment Features

  • Toilets

Payment Methods

  • Max group size - 20
  • Min group size - 10

Provider Preferences

  • In town/city centre
  • Indoor Attraction
  • No Smoking Attraction

Specialist Features

  • Family Fun

Tours and Demonstrations

  • Educational Visits Accepted
  • Guided Tours Compulsory for Groups

Special Offers

  • Spitfire Simulator Gift Vouchers

    Purchase a Spitfire Simulator gift voucher and come fly with the Maidenhead Heritage Centre!  A unique gift, suitable for everybody from 9 to 90.  With the replica flight controls and wide screen pilot view, this is the most sophisticated Spitfire simulator available to the general public. Price includes entry to the ATA exhibition for the ‘pilots’ plus two companions.

     

    Vouchers for Gifts and Experiences - redeem this special offer immediately

    More offers like this - Vouchers for Gifts and Experiences

  • Joint Heritage Centre and boat trip for groups!

    Maidenhead Heritage Centre has just set up a package deal with French Brothers aimed at tour operators/groups of 40 or more. The deal includes a visit to the Heritage Centre followed by a boat trip and afternoon tea.

    Visit the Maidenhead Heritage Centre in the morning and learn about Maidenhead’s history including the Air Transport Auxiliary.
    Then board the French Brothers boat at Maidenhead Promenade for a cream tea cruise.

    Travel through the breath-taking Cliveden Reach, passing through the famous Boulters Lock before heading to Bray to spot the homes of the celebrities.

     

    Attractions Offers - redeem this special offer immediately

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  • Spitfire Simulator Experience - get a third off!

    Throughout the school holidays, you can make a same-day booking for the Spitfire Simulator Experience and get a third off the normal price. 

    Just call 01628 780555 after 10am (Tues-Sat) and book any available slot.  Then turn up and take to the skies.

    It has been called "the best fun in town".

     

    Attractions Offers - redeem this special offer immediately

    More offers like this - Attractions Offers

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

4.5 of 5 stars
  • Travelers Choice 2022
  • Excellent
    96
  • Very Good
    27
  • Average
    6
  • Poor
    2
  • Terrible
    2

Recent Reviews:

  • Christopher R
    Lyndhurst, United Kingdom
    Trip Type:
    Family
    Great place for all ageswith very friendly staff
    5 of 5 stars
    Saturday, 5th March 2022
    Great place to visit for all ages we went with grandparents, parents and children 1 &3 yrs old. We all had a great time and the staff were so helpful and kind. Very interesting place Read full review
  • DGPorter86
    Trip Type:
    Couples
    Successfully didn't crash a Spitfire!
    5 of 5 stars
    Thursday, 10th March 2022
    Successfully flew a spitfire and didn't crash! Fascinating experience learning about the women and men of the ATA. We got a personal tour of the small museum and the guide was very knowledgeable with... Read full review
  • trailgirl10
    Windsor, United Kingdom
    Trip Type:
    Friends getaway
    Interesting and enjoyable Spitfire experience
    5 of 5 stars
    Sunday, 13th March 2022
    We enjoyed a couple of hours at the museum last week. Staff were very attentive and helpful. We particularly enjoyed learning about the Air Transport Auxillary service, with its local HQ in nearby... Read full review

Map & Directions

Video

  • YouTube

Awards

  • Regional and Miscellaneous -TripAdvisor - Certificate of Excellence TripAdvisor - Certificate of Excellence 2016
  • Regional and Miscellaneous -WTTC Safe Travels WTTC Safe Travels 2021

Opening Times

Open (1 Jan 2023 - 20 Dec 2023)
DayTimes
MondayClosed*
Tuesday - Saturday10:00 - 16:00*
SundayClosed*
Dates and times marked with a '*' are provisional and may be subject to change

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