East Kirkby: Aviation History and Memorial Sites

East Kirkby lies at the foot of the Lincolnshire Wolds. The Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre is a family-run museum founded in 1989 and widely regarded as a living memorial to the 55,573 men of Bomber Command who lost their lives in the Second World War. It is located at the former RAF East Kirkby airbase, just outside the village on the A155.

Aviation History and Experiences

At the Centre, you can experience a running Lancaster and a running Mosquito together. It also offers a tail-down taxi ride in Avro Lancaster NX611 “Just Jane”. On the Mosquito HJ711 taxi ride, guests sit in the navigator’s seat beside the pilot while both Merlin engines are running. The Mosquito HJ711 Experience Day includes close-up access to the aircraft, an engine run and a look inside the cockpit from the crew ladder. Schedules may change; check the Centre’s latest information before making plans.

The NAAFI is also part of the visitor experience: the building dates from wartime and houses a café. It serves speciality coffee, cakes and more substantial meals; the food offering may change.

Memorial Sites in East Kirkby

The RAF Escape Museum houses the collection of the RAF Escaping Society. The Memorial Chapel displays the names of 848 fallen aircrew and ground staff from RAF East Kirkby. The Aviation Memorial Chapel is housed in a former aircraft hangar and contains several rolls of honour. The East Kirkby War Memorial is another place of remembrance: it dates from 1919 and was later updated with additions for the Second World War. The memorial is a tall, ornately designed memorial cross of historic and architectural interest.

Church and Windmill

St Nicholas is a parish church with fabric dating from the 13th, 14th and 16th centuries. Its oak rood screens with delicate tracery date from the 15th century. By contrast, the East Kirkby Windmill has a clear date of construction, 1820: it is a six-storey tower windmill. The different construction periods offer tangible points of reference if you are interested in architecture and historic buildings as well as aviation history. You can arrange visits to St Nicholas through the church; it can also provide information about opening days.

Getting Around and Planning Your Visit

For cycle tourists, stage two of the Humber to The Wash Cycle Route runs through Spilsby and on to the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre in East Kirkby. Route details may change; check the latest information on the route before setting off. Arrival by air is also possible: East Kirkby’s grass airstrip welcomes visitors arriving by plane. Arrange any landing in advance.

Discover more destinations: Wyberton, Greatford, Alford, Norton Disney, Scunthorpe, Ropsley, Barrow-Upon-Humber, Grantham.

Back to the main travel overview: Lincolnshire.