South Wales Aviation Museum
Located at St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan, the South Wales Aviation Museum is a fascinating destination for anyone interested in aircraft, engineering and military history. Situated near the former RAF St Athan maintenance base, the museum preserves an impressive collection of aircraft and aviation artefacts that tell the story of flight in Wales and beyond. One of the museum’s greatest attractions is the opportunity to get closer to aircraft than in many traditional museums. Visitors can explore a wide variety of military and civilian planes, helicopters and aviation equipment, ranging from Cold War-era jets to modern aircraft. Many exhibits are displayed in a way that allows visitors to appreciate their size, engineering and historical significance up close. Inside the museum, aviation enthusiasts can discover cockpits, engines, uniforms, instruments and technical equipment that reveal how aircraft were operated and maintained. Informative displays explain the development of aviation technology and the important role Wales played in supporting military and civilian aviation. The collection continues to grow through restoration projects carried out by dedicated volunteers.
Picketston Wales
The South Wales Aviation Museum is an engaging, family-friendly attraction dedicated to preserving and sharing the military and civil aviation heritage of South Wales. Housed inside a vast aircraft hangar on a former military airfield, the museum offers a hands-on, interactive experience where visitors are encouraged to get up close to historic aircraft, military helicopters, jet cockpits, and specialized engines. The museum is located at Hangar 872, Bro Tathan North, St Athan, Barry, CF62 4QR, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, United Kingdom. It stands set within the historic airfield grounds near the village of St Athan. Because of its setting in the heart of the Vale of Glamorgan, visiting the aviation museum places you close to a variety of historical and family attractions. Just a short drive away lies Fonmon Castle, featuring historic grounds and a dinosaur park, as well as the coastal fortress of St Donat's Castle overlooking the Bristol Channel. Heading slightly further north brings you to the ancient town of Llantwit Major, the Museum of Cowbridge, and the medieval ruins of Old Beaupre Castle and St Quentin's Castle.