Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome Museum

Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome is one of the most atmospheric heritage sites in Essex — and the only First World War aerodrome in Europe to survive with nearly all its original buildings. Established in 1916 for the Royal Flying Corps, it played a vital role in home defence, with pilots flying fragile BE2s and Sopwith aircraft on patrols against German Zeppelins. When the site was abandoned after the war, its structures were left untouched, creating a rare time capsule of early military aviation. Inside, visitors can explore restored workshops, crew rooms and stores that reveal how pilots and mechanics lived and worked. The Airmen’s Mess and Squadron Offices preserve original fittings, offering a vivid sense of daily life on a wartime airfield. Exhibits include uniforms, logbooks, early navigation tools and personal items that bring individual stories to the forefront. The hangars display period aircraft and replicas, alongside detailed information on the technologies of early flight. Outside, the grass airstrip — still in use for heritage flying — and the surrounding farmland help recreate the aerodrome’s original landscape.