In East Kirkby, aviation heritage sites sit alongside historic village buildings. The Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre is just outside East Kirkby on the A155; the village itself lies at the foot of the Lincolnshire Wolds. When planning your visit, it is worth distinguishing between the focus on aviation and the other historic sites, and keeping the visiting arrangements for each place in mind.
Aviation History and Experiences
The family-run Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre was founded in 1989. It is widely regarded as a living memorial to the 55,573 men of Bomber Command who lost their lives in the Second World War. The Centre is on the former RAF East Kirkby airfield and preserves its original 1940s control tower. It therefore focuses both on remembering the crews and on the history of the former airfield.
Visitors can experience a running Lancaster and a running Mosquito together there. The experiences on offer also include a taxi ride with the tail lowered in the Avro Lancaster NX611 “Just Jane”. On the Mosquito HJ711 Experience Day, guests sit in the navigator’s seat beside the pilot while both Merlin engines are running. The programme also includes close-up access to the aircraft, an engine run and a look inside the cockpit from the crew ladder. As dates and availability may change, it is advisable to check these details before booking.
Other aspects of remembrance can be seen in the exhibitions: the RAF Escape Museum houses the collection of the RAF Escaping Society. The Memorial Chapel displays the names of 848 fallen crew members and ground staff from RAF East Kirby. East Kirkby’s Aviation Memorial Chapel is housed in a former aircraft hangar and contains various rolls of honour.
The NAAFI is also part of the visitor facilities described. The building dates from wartime and houses a café serving speciality coffee, cakes and more substantial meals. The offering may change. Those who want to consider a place’s historic use alongside its present-day function will find a different perspective here from the exhibitions and control tower.
Village Church, Windmill and Memorial Sites
The Church of St Nicholas is a parish church with fabric dating from the 13th century, as well as the 14th and 16th centuries. It also preserves 15th-century oak rood screens with delicate tracery. Visits can be arranged through the church; you can also get information there about opening days. A visit can therefore be planned, but should not be assumed to be possible at all times without restriction.
East Kirkby Windmill is a six-storey tower windmill dating from 1820. The East Kirkby War Memorial dates from 1919 and was later extended with additions commemorating the Second World War. It takes the form of a tall, intricately designed memorial cross and is of historical and architectural interest. The mill and the memorial offer different points of interest: one is a clearly defined type of mill with a construction date; the other is a memorial site whose remembrance has been carried forward through later additions.
The Greenwich Prime Meridian is also one of the marked features of East Kirkby airfield: it runs through it and is marked by a stone monument. This is a distinct point of interest alongside the aviation history and memorial sites. Stage two of the Humber to The Wash Cycle Route passes through Spilsby and continues to the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre in East Kirkby. If you plan to follow this route, check the latest route details before setting out. Visitors can arrive by air via the grass airstrip; please check in advance whether landing is possible.
When looking for a holiday rental, these different points of interest can help guide your choice: consider whether you mainly want to include the aviation exhibitions and experiences, or the church, windmill and memorial sites.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Binbrook, Carlton-le-Moorland, Healing, Wilsford, Martin, Alford, Epworth, Waltham.
For the wider travel overview: Lincolnshire.
