Spirit of Aviation

Aircraft obsessives will find plenty to get excited about at the Spirit of Aviation gallery, based just outside Gloucester. It's a proper collection focused on aviation history, with restored planes and memorabilia that tell the story of flight over the decades. You'll spend a couple of hours here if you're genuinely interested in the subject - less if you're tagging it onto a wider day out.

The appeal is fairly niche, to be honest. This isn't a theme park or a spectacle. It's for people who actually want to understand how planes have evolved, who get a kick out of seeing restored aircraft up close, and who appreciate the engineering and history behind them. Kids might find it interesting for 45 minutes or so, depending on their age and how much you can keep them engaged with the technical side of things.

Gloucester itself is only a few miles away, so you could combine this with a walk along the docks or a visit to the cathedral if you're making a proper afternoon of it. Several camping and glamping spots sit within a short drive - Court Farm Camping is under three miles away if you're based in the area. The Cotswolds are on your doorstep too, so the Spirit of Aviation works as one stop among many rather than a reason to come to Gloucestershire on its own.

Bring a camera if you're into photography. Check opening hours before you head out - the gallery can have variable times depending on the season.