Solway Aviation Museum

The old airfield at Solway, just outside Carlisle, is where you'll find a surprisingly engaging collection of aircraft and aviation history. Walk around hangars filled with restored planes - everything from vintage warbirds to Cold War jets - and you get a real sense of how this corner of Cumbria played its part in British aviation.

It's the sort of place that grabs aircraft enthusiasts properly, but it also works well for families who don't know a Spitfire from a Mosquito. Kids tend to enjoy clambering around the exterior of the bigger planes, and there's enough detail for adults to spend a good couple of hours poking around. The museum staff are usually knowledgeable sorts, happy to chat about the machines on display.

The setting itself - former RAF land - adds weight to it. You're literally walking where pilots trained and missions were planned. Depending on what's on display during your visit, you might see restoration work in progress, which is always interesting to watch.

If you're based at Green Acres Caravan Park nearby, it's a decent half-day option when the weather's iffy or you fancy a break from outdoor activities. Not the sort of place to spend an entire day, but well worth a couple of hours if you're in the area. Check opening hours before you go - these smaller museums can be a bit variable with their schedules.