Wings & Wheels Weekend at RAF Manston: times, prices and access

RAF Manston History Museum's Wings & Wheels Weekend runs on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September 2026. It suits families, aircraft enthusiasts and anyone planning a half-day visit near Manston. The main things to settle before leaving are arrival time, admission cost and which outdoor activities depend on the weather.

The essentials

• Dates: Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September 2026.
• Opening hours: 10am to 4pm on both days. The event page gives 3.30pm as the last entry time.
• Place: RAF Manston History Museum, 821 Manston Road, Ramsgate, Kent CT12 5DF.
• Booking: Advance booking is optional. The museum says visitors can pay on arrival.
• Admission: Normal museum admission applies. Vehicle rides cost extra.
• Directory link: Save the Wings & Wheels Weekend event page for the main details in one place.

What is planned

The museum says visiting vehicles will be displayed on the taxiway, alongside its aircraft collection. Its programme includes access to selected aircraft cockpits, rides in the museum's Green Goddess fire engine and rides in a tank.

The ride programme is weather dependent and carries a small extra charge. The reviewed event pages do not give an exact price for either ride, so allow for an additional payment and check the organiser's page before travelling. Cockpit access may also vary by aircraft and conditions on the day.

The hero photograph on this guide shows English Electric Lightning F.6 XR770, which the museum lists among its current aircraft. It is a picture of a real museum exhibit, but it does not show the weekend event or promise access to this particular cockpit.

Admission prices

The museum's published admission prices are:

• Adults aged 16 and over: £7
• Children under 16: £3.50
• Children under five: free, with a maximum of three under-fives for each paying adult
• Concessions: £6
• Carers: £4
• Family ticket for two adults and up to four children: £20

These are the normal museum prices shown on 11 September. Rides are separate. If price is a deciding factor, recheck the museum website on the morning of your visit.

Access and quieter planning

AccessAble's detailed museum guide reports step-free level entry at the main entrance and step-free access through most of the museum. It also records two adapted toilets, a manual wheelchair that visitors can borrow, seating around the attraction and facilities for assistance dogs.

The car park is free, although the guide says there are no marked Blue Badge bays. Some displays use loud noises, flashing lights, lighting effects, dark areas and video screens. That is useful to know if anyone in your group has sensory needs.

Those access details cover the museum in normal operation. The official event information does not explain access to every temporary vehicle, cockpit or ride. Contact the museum before setting out if a particular activity is essential to your visit.

Getting there

The museum has its own free car park. AccessAble identifies Ramsgate as the nearest railway station, so a rail journey needs a separate final leg to Manston Road. Check a current journey planner rather than relying on an old bus number.

If you have time before or after the event, explore Manston on the directory. For a museum-based alternative if the weather changes your plans, the Thanet rainy-day guide includes RAF Manston History Museum among its indoor ideas.

Food and timing

The museum's NAAFI Cafe lists weekend opening from 10am to 4pm, subject to volunteer availability. Visit Thanet describes takeaway and sit-down refreshments during the event. Bringing a backup snack is sensible if you have dietary requirements or need to eat at a fixed time.

Arriving earlier in the day gives more time for the permanent collection as well as the outdoor displays. Wear shoes suitable for an outdoor taxiway and check the museum's event page before leaving home, especially if rain or strong wind could affect the rides.

Information checked on 11 September 2026. This guide covers an event that ends on Sunday 13 September.