RAF Cosford Museum: Post Lockdown Review

We continued our post-lockdown return to normality with a family visit to the RAF Museum at Cosford, and in short, it was a flying success.


We booked online in advance - entrance is free, but it's £5 for parking. If you're not taking a car (i.e. walking or cycling) then the day is free, but you'll still need to book. One of the many advantages that Cosford has over many of the other trips we've been on since lockdown is timed entry slots. 

This is becoming a basic necessity in our day-trip planning, and yet it's still missing from many of the other places we've visited (Chester Zoo and the Blue Planet Aquarium in Chester being two key examples). In time, this is becoming more common, and it's always reassuring to see that a location has a timed entry process (it significantly reduces queuing outside the venue and crowding inside).

Our slot was for an 11:00 am arrival, but our family had a minor meltdown before we set off, and we arrived at about 11:20. We were fortunate there - the staff at the entrance directed us to the car park and instructed us on what to do next. The car park was easily half full, and we had no trouble booking in. One key area where Cosford does extremely well is in staffing. There were staff at the entrance to the car park; staff at the entrance to the visitor centre and another member of staff booking us in (with our tickets) inside. There were people strategically placed at key locations around the site helping to keep people moving forwards, following the one-way system and directing people who were getting lost.

The toilets are still all available in the visitor centre and the hangars, and they work on a one-in-one-out basis (which works very well).

Cosford gets a significant number of bonus points from me for the way they've approached social distancing in their signage.  They've struck exactly the right tone - reassuring but direct.  There are Vulcan-shaped arrow stickers on the floor, spaced at two metres, withing the hangars, and spray painted Vulcan logos on the tarmac outside.  

The signs reminding groups to stay together, and showing areas that are out-of-bounds are very good examples of the way they're following social distancing guidelines.  The one-way system is clearly laid out, and there are helpful reminders to keep everyone in the group together.  It may not seem like much, but it's very well done, and far better than anything I've seen since (or before).

The cafe at Cosford now provides food for take-out only, but there is no indoor seating. Having said that, there is plenty - and I mean a huge amount - of outdoor space which is ideal for sitting and eating. There are some picnic benches available, and I would recommend taking a picnic blanket to make the most of the grassy areas.

The shop in the corner of the second hangar is very well laid out, with a one-way system that is logical and easy to follow. Staff were wearing their PPE and there were sneeze screens in place at the checkout.

All in all, we had a fantastic time, and we really appreciated all the thought and planning that Cosford have put into their social distancing strategy.  Highly recommended.