The Battle of Britain Memorial is a unique tribute to the men of the RAF who defeated the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain in 1940. The clifftop memorial, replica Spitfire and Hurricane and Christopher Foxley-Norris Memorial Wall provide a calm place of reflection and pilgrimage. With breath-taking views over the English Channel towards France, it's not hard to appreciate the incredible bravery of the airmen in WWII.
Opening times & prices
- 1 March to end September - daily 10am and 5pm
- 1 October to 18 November - daily 10am and 4pm
- 18 November to end of February - Tuesday to Sunday 10am and 4pm (closed Mondays)
FREE entry to the Memorial but car parking charges apply
Tickets to The Scramble Experience (valid for 1 week) can be bought online in advance or in person on the day. Prices are £7 adult, £4 child (5-15; under 5s free); £18.50 family (2 adults, 2 children), £6 OAPs and Friends of the Few.
What to see
The Memorial The central statue, carved by Harry Gray, depicts an airman seated on a propeller boss surrounded by the badges of all the Allied squadrons and other units that took part in the Battle. Close by are full-size replicas of a Hawker Hurricane Mk I and Supermarine Spitfire Mk I.
The Wall Named in tribute to the late Air Chief Marshal Sir Christopher Foxley-Norris, a Hurricane fighter pilot in 1940, the wall contains the names of all those aircrew known to have flown at least one sortie with an accredited squadron or unit of the Royal Air Force during the Battle of Britain.
The Wing A modern, interactive visitor centre and home to The Scramble Experience (see below). The first floor ‘cockpit’ area, with an open balcony, offers superb views across the Channel to France, and is home to the Cockpit Cafe, serving light refreshments and ice creams. The well-stocked gift shop on the ground floor features signed memorabilia and a wide range of souvenirs.
The Scramble Experience High-tech audio-visual displays and hands-on exhibits tell the tale of the Battle of Britain. Learn what life was like for the pilots who defended Britain's skies in the summer of 1940. Younger visitors can try on pilots' outfits and sit inside a mock-up Hurricane cockpit, and everyone can soak up stories from one of the most important battles of the 20th century.