VIP Spitfire Factory Tour at Biggin Hill - Kent




About the experience
Product ID: 11866
For military aviation enthusiasts everywhere, we have the Real McCoy with this exclusive VIP Spitfire Tour at the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar. This spacious and airy hangar hosts a superb assortment of Spitfires and other iconic vintage aircraft. Better still, this is a private tour, as the hangar is not open to the general public - so you can really experience what goes on in a working hangar such as this one, and take it all in. The Spitfire team will welcome you on arrival at the hangar reception. And it’s once you step through the door from reception to the hangar itself that you suddenly take in what there is to see - and for any Spitfire lovers, there’s a veritable feast for the senses! As the loving restoration work goes on at the hangar, it means that it feels more interactive than any equivalent aircraft museum you’ll have visited before - in fact, we’d say that Biggin Hill sets the gold standard, as you have the chance to get up close to these iconic aircraft, and to take in the smell and sight of the leather and oil. And when the planes are fully restored and certified as airworthy, these, along with several other privately owned Spitfires - are kept here. Your host will accompany you on the tour to ensure you can be guided around the working hangar safely, and also tell you all the fascinating facts there are to know about these Spitfires. There are only a certain number left that are still considered airworthy, so this is a real privilege. This would make an ideal gift idea for a Spitfire fan, and at under £50 it’s fantastic value too.
- Valid for 12 months
- 1 Location in the UK
- Flexibe Booking
- Gift Pack Options
- Free Exchanges
- Instant Delivery
My wife and I had an excellent and most informative day. Our guide was most friendly and gave us very instructive and pleasurable tour. We both thought it was a brilliant day out very well done to all involved who made it possible.
Reviewed by: Hugh Mcintyre
First class visit with an enthusiastic and informed guide.
Reviewed by: Trevor Hill
Overview
-
- A VIP tour of the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar
- See the current restoration projects in progress up close
- View the airworthy aircraft, usually including Spitfire, Hurricane, Harvard, Cub
- Opportunity to take photographs of the aircraft
- Please allow approximately an hour and a half for this experience
-
- Minimum Age: 6 years
-
- The tours are suitable for all ages however under 18's must be accompanied by a participating adult
- One child under 12 years may accompany a paying adult on the tour but the tour is not recommended for young children
- All guests must hold a valid voucher
- All visitors to the hangar must be voucher holders and additional guests are not permitted
-
- Tours are at either 10:00 or 14:00
- Tours are conducted with very small groups of no more than 8 people
- There are toilets on site
- Tea, Coffee and snacks are available to purchase
- Sorry no pets allowed
-
1 Location in the UK
- Greater London
Customer Reviews for the VIP Spitfire Factory Tour at Biggin Hill - Kent
My wife and I had an excellent and most informative day. Our guide was most friendly and gave us very instructive and pleasurable tour. We both thought it was a brilliant day out very well done to all involved who made it possible.
Reviewed by: Hugh Mcintyre
First class visit with an enthusiastic and informed guide.
Reviewed by: Trevor Hill
Brilliant all round, if you love the spitfire you will love this experience.Highly recomended for Sitfire fans.
Reviewed by: Rob
Excellent in every way, friendly, funny and very knowledgeable guide, a trully unique experience.
Reviewed by: Rob
Interesting glimpse into the history of Biggin Hill and the Spitfire. Although I enjoy planes and I am interested in World War 2, I am not a technician and I found some of the content went over my head. Nevertheless the guide was obviously dedicated to his subject, knew his stuff and enjoyed his role. The facts about Biggin Hill were very interesting. Seeing planes and other vehicles close up give a real impression of how it was at the airfield during the 40s. A very enjoyable couple of hours.
Reviewed by: Joe Yusuf
Signs to location would be better, 2 Taxi drivers from East Croydon didnt know where it was. On that tho, got to be said it was a most thrilling and enjoyable experience. The guide was excellent and extremely knowledgeable. highly recommend.B Cunningham
Reviewed by: Bernard Cunningham
It was a bit confusing as to gain entry as there was a barrier across the road, but waited and another car drove through so I followed it, once in I was greeted with a brief rundown we were greeted by Austin our tour guide we were fortunate to see up close a spitfire on the pad preparing for a flight the museum was incredible the hurricane and the spitfire are from the queens flight although you were not allowed to photograph them, i felt quite proud as I am of polish descendents and the two aircraft were in polish colours especially the hurricane which was in the famous 303 squadron.In the hour and a half there was so much to see will have to go again
Reviewed by: Michael Wolak
Excellent The tour guide think his name was Austin a brummie was so knowledgeable and interesting. Really enjoyed it and wouldnt hesitate to recommend.
Reviewed by: Adrian Guice
Arrived on Battle of Britain day to a very warm, and friendly welcome from the staff. Our tour of the hangar was led by a very knowledgeable member of staff who had many tales of the Spits and their pilots. A very relaxed tour of the hangars with lots of Spitfires, Hurricanes, and even one of the only 2 flying ME BF109 Messerschmitt in the world that can still fly. We were even lucky enough to have a Hurricane land, and parkup just outside the hangars for a few minutes and head off again. Finally topped off with a sit in the Spirit of Kent. For me and my wife it was a wonderful few hours that we shall never forget.
Reviewed by: Mark Dunn
Useful, up close experience
Reviewed by: Brian Gill
Excellent day.
Reviewed by: Carole McVeigh
Fantastic insight into the history of this iconic aircraft. Plus the chance to get up real close and in my case actually sit in the cockpit, which as a private pilot was truly awe inspiring. Highly recommended, Im now saving up to fly in one
Reviewed by: Malcolm Parkinson
Very enjoyable experience the man in charge new everything he should and made it a great and pleasurable day would advise all to try it
Reviewed by: Dominic
Great tour with great guide
Reviewed by: Colin
Great tour by informative guide
Reviewed by: Colin
A thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining experience. Great to get up close with these fabulous warbirds with great supporting explanations by our brilliant guide. Highly recommended
Reviewed by: Ted Medhurst
Really fascinating to see the work being done by the Heritage Hanger and to sit in one of their very special Spitfires. Was quite emotional to see and hear all about the aircraft and the pilots that flew in them. Thoroughly recommend a visit.
Reviewed by: Alex C
I had a fantastic day at Biggin Hill Heritage hanger,
Reviewed by: Andrew Piper
Very interesting and indepth tour. Our guide Austin was knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the aircraft he described
Reviewed by: ATA
Wonderful afternoon. Guided by an enthusiastic and knowledgeable gentleman. Shame the weather was abysmal so we couldnt watch any takeoffs during our visit.
Reviewed by: ROB TUCKER
We had an amazing visit. Austin was a very knowledgable guide and brought the history to life with his talk.As I used to work for AT in the building many years ago it brought back loads of memories Thank you
Reviewed by: Valerie Marshall
Absolutely AMAZING
Reviewed by: Brian Hiscutt
excellent if you love spitfires this is the tour for you.to actually sit in one of these icons lets you experience what it was like for the brave men who fought in them. the guide had all the information you need to know about these wonderful airplanes on the day we had the bonus of a hurricane in the hanger as well
Reviewed by: ian stone
Excellent visit with great access and a very informative guide
Reviewed by: Eliott Turner
Thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Not rushed. Plenty of time to look at planes. Host very knowledgable
Reviewed by: Shelagh Simpson
It was an amazing experience, something I was looking forward to and I was not disappointed, the tour was very good and informative but the crowning glory was sitting in the Spitfire and while I was doing this, outside another Spitfire was roaring into action with another lucky person on his Spitfire flight, definetely something to plan for the future.
Reviewed by: Jim Middleton
The Spitfire tour was arranged by daughter and it was great.Having worked on Spitfires in the R.A.F. many,many years ago it took me back to those days. To see the aircraft and sit in an airworthy one made my day.Many thanks. Peter Atkins.
Reviewed by: Peter Atkins
Birthday present, love Kent so though technically LONDON loved driving to Biggin Hill, lovely tour around the Spitfires great afternoon, good guide forgot camera so may have to go again
Reviewed by: Robert Corser
Amazing day..from start to finish...still cant believe I actually sat in one of our nations precious gems, an airworthy MkIV Spitire Thankyou to Laurie our excellent guide..
Reviewed by: Alan Hurkett
Exceptional tour. The young man who led the tour was very knowledgeable and able to answer any questions posed. A very enjoyable couple of hours
Reviewed by: Rob
If its Spitfires you love, this is definitely the tour to take. Lasted about two and a half hours with a very knowledgeable guide that gave detailed information on each aircraft. Worth every penny, and will be going again at some point, may even do the sit in a Spit next time, as this is as close as I am likely to get to the fly in a Spit.
Reviewed by: Richard Peckham
excellent
Reviewed by: M Bough
It was an extremely interesting experience. The tour guide was very informative and made the tour very very interesting. The sit in the spitfire was amazing and I would certainly recommend this tour to a friend.
Reviewed by: David King
Excellent , was a brilliant insight into Spitfire restoration . Paul was very good and easy to learn from . I am saving up for the flight now Paul Wray
Reviewed by: paul wray
Great tour, thank you, relaxed, hugely informative, helped that we were there the day before the air show and saw several flypasts Excellent afternoon.
Reviewed by: Malcolm
First class, informative and relaxed tour with a free roaming of the hanger to take pictures. My tour and sit in a spit was on arrivals day so we have the opportunity to stop the tour and watch the demo displays.Great to see the various stages of refurbishment and aircraft construction.If your an aviation enthusiast this is a must.
Reviewed by: Stuart Wellard
Amazing tour. So many aircraft to see and get close up to. At one point the flying Spitfire taxied up to the hangar and our guide took us out of the hangar to look around it and watch it take off. Our Guide was very friendly and knowledgeable and clearly these planes are his life. Great to see so much being done to preserve and rebuild these beautiful planes. If you like Spitfires this is an amazing place to get up close and personal and even sit in a real Spitfire.
Reviewed by: Paul
Relaxed and informative. Amazing to see so many aircraft up close, flying and at different stages of Restoration.
Reviewed by: James
To be able to see at close range the work that goes into keeping these iconic aircraft in the air and bringing others back from what at first appear to be hopeless piles of scrap is a truly fascinating experience. Having a guide who knew not just the general history of Spitfires, Hurricanes and Messerschmitt Bf109 but the specific detail of each of the aircraft present in the hanger made the tour so much more enjoyable than a mere walk through a group of static exhibits seen from behind barriers, with only the information which could be presented on a small notice would have been. It was a superb visit which of course was topped off by being able to sit in the cockpit of one of the aircraft. This tour was a birthday present from a friend. I would highly recommend this tour for anyone who has an interest in aircraft, particularly the older warbirds.
Reviewed by: Jeremy RootsSmith
as this was a birthday present it was the best present ever
Reviewed by: robin judd
Excellent visit. The tour was well led by a pilot who knew everything about each individual planes flying, victories and crashing history and their pilots. There are no barriers to stop you getting close to the planes and sitting in one is a real privilege.
Reviewed by: Peter Dooley
Very good day and well led by the guide.
Reviewed by: Lee howard
A moment of a life time being able to get so close and personal with the iconic Spitfire. Very friendly staff making you feel most welcome.The opportunity to sit in the MK IX fulfilled a life time dream well, well worth it.
Reviewed by: Allan Oliver
fantastic
Reviewed by: Robert Taylor
fantastic
Reviewed by: Robert Taylor
The Spitfire Experience guide was friendly, knowledgeable and able to answer all the questions fired at him. The tour was comprehensive and the sit in the Spitfire cockpit was a lifetime wish come true.Thanks to all concerned. Highly recommended.
Reviewed by: Mike
Excellent visit, superb aircraft on display with very good, knowledgable Tour Guide who explained everything I asked about. I had the sit in a Spitfire option which was well worth it, I was not hurried and again the Tour Guide answered any questions. Whole experience was friendly and relaxed with more aircraft on display than I had expected. Thoroughly recommended to an enthusiast.
Reviewed by: Geoff Usmar
Great experience from start to finish including the weather. Tour guide was very friendly and knowledgeable, surreal experience to be that close to such great planes with that much history attached to them.Would recommend this to anyone.
Reviewed by: Alex Robertson
An brilliant and entertaining couple of hours. I loved every minute of it.
Reviewed by: Mark Tomlinson
Tour guide was so knowledgeable. Great experience sitting in the spitfire, would recommend this experience to anyone interested in flying old planes.
Reviewed by: John Boland
Absolutely fascinating Guide very welcoming and highly knowledgable Amazing to be so close to such an iconic plane
Reviewed by: Geoff gill
Great experience from start to finish. Really interesting hangar with lots of planes and a very knowledgable friendly guide. Loved sitting in the spitfire. Id recommend this experience to anyone.
Reviewed by: Laura
Truly fabulous experience made all the better by the input of our guide, Austin. His background information put real flesh on all the bones. Thank you
Reviewed by: Jean Findlay
This was an incredible experience the guide was first class with his passionate knowledge of the mechanics and history of the aircraft under restoration and also those airworthy, there was no urgency everyone had the time to enquire and ask questions which were always answered, when sitting in the aircraft all the controls were explained with no rush to hurry you up to get out my brother and I would recommend this tour its great
Reviewed by: Patrick Phillips
Really interesting day. Steve I think was very knowledgeable and gave a lot of insight into the history. Great job.
Reviewed by: Howard Witt
Vip hanger tour and sit in a spitfire was brilliant.To see engineers working on parts of the spitfires made you think of those that built them long ago.The historical stories from all of the spitfires were amazing.The sitting in the spitfire was out of this world,you got a real feel for how the young airman felt.A truely wonderful few hours sent at Biggin Hill.
Reviewed by: Martyn Wardell
Could not have been better. Guide was friendly and knowledgeable nothing was too much trouble. 1110
Reviewed by: Stephen Luker
Very interesting morning and knowledgable guide made it well worth the visit,
Reviewed by: Graham Radford
Started promptly with knowledgeable guide and useful introduction. There was plenty of time available to view the hangars and the Spitfires and my 86year old father, exRAF and no longer as mobile as he once was, was able to get into the cockpit and spotted the motorbike type he rode whilst in service. So an excellent day.
Reviewed by: Roy Bawden
Easy to purchase and organise my partner had a great tour of biggin hill and he had a wonderful experience sitting in a spitfire plane, unforgettable experience
Reviewed by: Penny ilisse
I loved the experience from start to finish. This was a 70th birthday present and included the sit in a spitfire. The guide was informative, amusing and very enthusiastic. I was in 7th heaven as this was a dream come true. To get close and personal with so many legendary warbirds was an honour. The skill of the restorers has to be seen to be believed.
Reviewed by: Brian Johnson
Informal, smallgroup tour led by very personable and knowledgeable guide. Great to get up close and personal with these fantastic warbirds and see how they are being restored. My husband got to fulfil his dream to sit in a Spit and hasnt stopped grinning yet A great special birthday present
Reviewed by: Jane Johnson
Excellent experience. Now saving up for a flight.
Reviewed by: mike wallworth
A thoroughly enjoyable couple of hours.Staff were friendly and welcoming.Tour very relaxed and informative, just right .Please get a decent coffee machine
Reviewed by: John Matthews
It was a dream come true.to stand next to a spit was amazing to sit in oneWas first class.the tour was brilliant the tour guide Paul was funny and great to be with.
Reviewed by: David lawson
My husband was given the tour and sit in spitfire experience at Biggin Hill and I purchased just the tour. It was a great way to spend a couple of hours. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and clearly loved his job. It was great to be up close and to touch and look inside all the spitfires.Nice easy transaction to redeem the voucher via the phone.
Reviewed by: Sandra
Very interesting, thoroughly enjoyed the guided tour, great to see all the restoration in action.
Reviewed by: Pete Evans
Great tour and very informative guide. Shame I had to chase my booking conformation twice.
Reviewed by: Geoff Busbridge
Very good. Enjoyed the tour will return again.
Reviewed by: peter butler
The knowledge of the tour guide was very good and at times amusing. Thoroughly enjoyable.
Reviewed by: R Martin
Excellent tour and both myself and my father enjoyed it thoroughly. The tour guide was very informative and answered all the questions we threw at him.Now trying to save up for a flight in one
Reviewed by: Mark Rance
Having travelled over 100 miles, I was disappointed to be told that the coffee machine was broken but I could get a drink in the cafe down the road and my wife had to wait for me while I was on the tour without being offered a drink. We also had to ask for the lights to be put on as it was very dark and cold in reception.However, the experience itself was above my expectations. Sitting in the cockpit was indeed a joy but I think a little more could have been made of this experience by maybe having a tape playing engine noise or maybe some appropriate music.However, the person who took us round was very interesting and brought a lot of it to life.
Reviewed by: LARRY ALFORD
Excellent tour. Would recommend to anyone.
Reviewed by: Graham Meech
Great tour and informative.Directions when close good but it would be good to have directions from M25 as that was a real issue.
Reviewed by: Barbara Smith
We booked this tour for my dads 70th birthday and it did not disappoint The guide was passionate and knowledgeable and the Spitfires are magnificent to get up close too The option to sit in a Spit was brilliant and made my dads dayDefinitely a special day out
Reviewed by: Emma
Very interesting. Great to get up close to the Spitfires.
Reviewed by: Sam Cobley
Great day, guy would show us around was very knowledge about Spitfires, would highly recommend.
Reviewed by: Eleanora Small
A working Warbird restoration hangar and not a museum Sensible sized group made the tour seem personal Paul our guide on the day was excellent. But not as impressive as the warbirds on display everywhere you looked. Thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.
Reviewed by: Ian C
I bought the VIP Tour and Sit in a Spitfire for my Brothers 60th birthday and I bought just the VIP tour for me so that I could join him and take photos. Paul who did the tour could not have been more helpful and his knowledge of all the facts surrounding the Spitfires we saw was astounding. My 60 year old brother was like a little boy in a sweetshop. Paul is one of those rare people who can make EVERYBODY feel special. It really was the best present I could have given my brother for his special birthday well apart from him having an actual flight in a Spitfire but Ill have to save up a bit more for that. The whole experience was amazing and extremely good value for money.
Reviewed by: Sue Torre
Very interesting well worth the visit. Saw the boys who sat in flew these aircraft for real, in a whole new light Thanks Paul, still trying to remember where we met.
Reviewed by: David Parish
From the time I arrived the experience was fantastic. Such friendly staff and enthusiastic, knowledgeable guides. Nothing was too much and a service that made it feel tailor made for the individual. The hangars are so accessible and the atmosphere so comfortable. Getting so close to the aircraft is a great experience, and the restorers were keen to answer questions while they worked. Sitting in a Spitfire was definitely the special treat I thought it would be. These craft are so rare and the skill and expertise of the crew here are reflected in the superb condition of the exhibits. I would love to have a flight in one Hopefully, thats the next step I couldnt recommend this experience enough it wont ever be forgotten.
Reviewed by: Viv Stephenson
we had a great day I thought that the whole experience was well worthwhile I thought paul, our guide was very good and he gave us loadsof information
Reviewed by: andy hall
Whilst this was aimed at giving the tour to my father and fatherinlaw, I personally found the whole experience first class and certainly something that I have already discussed with friends who I feel would enjoy this experience. Great time, great pace by the guide Paul I think who was both extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic 1st rate
Reviewed by: Stuart McGeechan
My Spitfire experience was fantastic. Because I left it late in the year, I had an exclusive tour there was only me. My guide, Paul was incredibly enthusiastic and knowledgable. It was clear he enjoyed what he did. I will certainly be back again sometime, maybe even for a flight. I will also be recommending the tour to others. I realised one of my boyhood dreams of being up close and personal with these incredible and legendary aeroplanes.
Reviewed by: Jules Turner
I thought that the whole experience was well worthwhile. I would have preferred to have sat in the Spitfire out of the hanger which could I suppose happen in the Summer.I thought Paul, our guide was very good.
Reviewed by: Ian Harkness
In a word awesome. I still think if my wife really loved me she would have paid for flight ..................................only kidding
Reviewed by: martin larner
Being an ex RAF engine fitter, I have always admired aircraft. So to celebrate my 75th birthday in touching distance of about 14 beautifully restored Spitfires, was a lifetime experience. But to actually sit in and handle the controls of one, that had seen service in WW2, was mind blowing.
Reviewed by: John Grant
What a fantastic experience, Austin the tour guide was knowledgeable, entertaining and enthusiastic what more could you want And the icing to sit in a Spitfire that had seen service in WW2 , how can you top that apart from a flight in one . For me a complete sensory overload, made all the more poignant as my visit was armistice day at 11am
Reviewed by: Nigel Scullion
I enjoyed my hangar visit immensely. Austin was really knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and to be around so many Spitfires and all of the other occupants in the hangars was just unforgettable. The fact that the mechanics were working as we were shown round made it far more special, rather than being in a museum, and to sit in the cockpit of a real plane, one which I have seen flying and admired on many occasions, was the cherry on the icing on the cake I cant think of a better way to spend an afternoon. Thank you and keep up the good work
Reviewed by: Claire Anstey
I just accompanied my husband on his birthday treat and thought it wasnt really my thing but Wow it was amazing, now totally hooked. Made all the better by the fantastic guide Austin. Everyone should go.
Reviewed by: Heather Scullion
Absolutely brilliant,I am 60 years old and I was as excited as a small child let loose in a sweet shop,there was just me one to one with the guide Austin and he knew his stuff and was very interesting to talk with.I would not hesitate to recommend to anyone,in fact I already have to family and friends.
Reviewed by: Rob Dyson
If Spitfires or historic planes are your interest this is a fabulous experience. Obviously the central theme is about Spitfires and the rebuilding of them but there are a handful of other planes there. What made it so very good was the unhurried time given, the extremely knowledgeable and friendly guide thank you, Paul and of course, the opportunity to sit in a Spitfire. That is an extra cost but well worth it although you do need to be agile enough to manage it but people of all ages do manage it my mums 87. We were in a group of 5 although I think the max size is 6 unless by special arrangement. If we could give it 6 stars we would.
Reviewed by: Wayne Groome
My father really enjoyed his tour. 1st class service
Reviewed by: Anna
A really interesting place to visit and our tour guide was excellent. He answered all our questions and really knew his stuff. There were 6 of us in the group and he gave everyone enough time to really enjoy the aircraft and to ask any questions they wanted. The tour moved at just the right speed and it was great when we could sit in one at the end. An excellent experience and I wouldnt hesitate to recommend it to others. Great value for money.
Reviewed by: Katrina Anderson
Fascinating., but then m love Spitfires
Reviewed by: Richard coveney
This was not a new experience in that I have been studying and watching spitfires etc. for many years. However it was a great and memorable new opportunity to visit a centre of expertise and craftsmanship, with a terrific collection of WW2 aircraft. We were well looked after and there was no rush or petty restriction, making it a great visit capped of course by getting into the aircraft. Thoroughly recommended
Reviewed by: Clive Constable
Very handson personal experience. Being up close to these fantastic machines is a very rare experience and actually sitting in a Spitfire could only be outdone by flying in one. An experience that I hope to achieve in the future. Excellent value for money.
Reviewed by: Ian Friar
Went on a Friday and thus the group was small which meant that it was a more personal experience. Very knowledgeable guide who answered all our questions.
Reviewed by: John Frascona
The guide, Paul, gave us an informative, friendly and informal tour of the Heritage hanger. He was very knowledgable about his subject and his enthusiasm shone through. Its fascinating to see the aircraft in all stages of rebuild and repairs. Of course, the highlight of the visit was to be able to sit in a working Spitfire and the icing on the cake was the landing and taxiing up to the hanger of a real life operating Spitfire.
Reviewed by: Peter Clift
Thoroughly enjoyed the tour and had the added bonus of seeing a spitfire come in to land right in front of us. Our guide was friendly and knowledgeable and it was a thrill to see so many of these beautiful planes up close. My partner will never forget his sit in a spit
Reviewed by: Tiffany Webster
Other experiences you may like
Pay in 3 interest-free payments
- 1.Choose PayPal at checkout to pay later with Pay in 3.
- 2.Complete your purchase with the first payment today.
- 3.Remaining payments are taken automatically.