WWI SE5a biplanes

You're standing in front of a proper working restoration workshop, not some dusty museum display. The SE5a biplanes here are the real deal - British fighters that actually flew in the First World War, now being painstakingly brought back to life by people who genuinely know their stuff.

What strikes you immediately is how small these aircraft are. The fuselage looks like it could barely fit a grown man, and when you learn pilots sat in open cockpits at altitudes where the cold would strip the feeling from your fingers, you get a sudden respect for the men who flew them. The workshop itself is where the magic happens - you'll see half-assembled wings, original fabric being carefully replaced, engines that haven't run in decades being coaxed back to function.

This is absolutely the place for aviation enthusiasts and history buffs. Kids get it too if they're old enough to focus for more than ten minutes, though under-eights might find it a bit slow. Expect to spend a solid two hours here if you're genuinely interested; you can blitz it in forty minutes if you're just passing through.

Amersham's right on your doorstep, which makes it an easy addition to a park-based holiday in Buckinghamshire. Combine it with a walk around nearby countryside or a stop at one of the local camping spots like Penn Meadow Farm - you'll get the aviation fix without it eating up your whole day. Check opening times before you head over though, as restoration work sometimes closes the workshop to visitors.