Bournemouth Aviation Museum

The hangars at Bournemouth Aviation Museum hold the sort of aircraft that made Britain's aviation history - Spitfires, Hurricanes, transport planes, and enough warbird memorabilia to keep history buffs occupied for a solid afternoon. It's not a massive operation, but it punches above its weight for a regional museum, with restored machines you can actually get close to rather than viewing from behind velvet ropes.

You'll want to allow two to three hours minimum, longer if you're the type to read every placard and chat with the volunteers - many are former RAF or aircraft engineers, so they know what they're talking about. Kids aged ten and up tend to engage well; younger ones might find it a bit static unless they're already plane-obsessed. The museum works particularly well as a half-day break if you're based at one of the nearby caravan parks around Ringwood - Meadowbank Holidays or Oakdene Forest Park are only a couple of miles away, making it easy to slot in without a major expedition.

Check opening hours before you go, as smaller aviation museums sometimes keep limited winter schedules. Admission is usually modest, often around £10-12 per adult, though this varies. The appeal is straightforward: if you care about British aircraft engineering and wartime history, it's well worth a visit. If you're after flashy interactive displays and a café serving craft coffee, you'll be disappointed. It's genuine, unglamorous, and better for it.