Dunkeswell Heritage Centre

See our unique photographic archive of life on the only WW2 US Naval Air Base in Europe.

Our collections include photographs of U boats being attacked and sunk! Plus our Authentic Replica Uniforms, Films, Artefacts, Mission Narratives Models, Dioramas, WW2 Memorabilia and archive film of the Airfield. Check us out on trip advisor:

Just look what our visitors say!

  • G. Barclay Bracknell:  ‘Really Amazing!’
  • Scott and Barbara, USA:  ‘Wonderful, so much information’
  • E. Sharman, Honiton:  ‘You have treasured the memories to the Highest degree -well done’
  • Peter and Sue, Dawlish:  ‘Interesting history, learnt a lot’

Opened in 2016 our substantial photographic archive provides a unique insight to life on the base. Unlike the British, the Americans had access to film and faced very little restriction on what they photographed.

As a result we have been able to collect both from veterans and military sources over many years, what we think is a fantastic selection of over 400 photographs creating a unique window in time. Mostly professionally taken, including some taken by the Germans, that provide a storyline that allows us to see what life was actually like and what took place at the Airfield during the second world war.

We have now combined this with official film taken at the time, an historical narrative, uniforms and WW2 artefacts that together, tell the story of the Men and Women who served here.

Whether you are a military history enthusiast or just curious, we think you will find our Airfield Heritage Centre fascinating and well worth a visit!

In addition to our photographic collection come and see :-

  • How coastal command went about hunting the U boats down including film taken at
    Dunkeswell showing the Aircraft and the briefings
  • The Graphic accounts of what took place .
  • How Ford built a B24 Liberator in 55 minutes!
  • What happened to Joe Kennedy, brother of JFK
  • Read about why the Americans came to Dunkeswell and how Churchill, Roosevelt and
    Eisenhower were involved!
  • The Uniforms they wore.
  • Dioramas and models.
  • WW2 artefacts.
  • Shop

Please Note: We are a registered, Not for Profit, Charitable Educational Trust. All our staff are volunteers who are totally unpaid and we are not funded by any commercial organisation other than our corporate sponsors who help us with our Advertising and Marketing.

Access

There are 5 shallow steps to the building, and we have a portable, temporary ramp. Please note that our volunteers may not always be of an age or fitness to assist access. The Heritage Centre access is all on ground level with the exception of one room.

Free Parking

Children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult at all times. Well behaved dogs are permitted.

Facilities

The Heritage Centre itself does not have catering or public toilet facilities.

However The Aviator Coffee Bar and Restaurant opens daily and is situated close to the Heritage Centre’s entrance approximately 100 metres away and has full catering and public toilets facilities. As well as a great view of the aircraft and parachutists as well as “wing walkers” who use the Airfield.

The restaurant is open throughout the year, in line with the Heritage Centre’s opening hours and has a good selection of ‘home cooked’ hot and cold food, fresh ground coffee and cakes to round off your visit to the centre. In addition they will happily cater for pre-arranged groups.

Pre-Booked Tours

We also undertake accompanied physical tours of the Airfield with kind permission of the landowners.

Groups are also very welcome and guided tours are available by prior arrangement. Please see Airfield Tours Please call us on 07778 85 77 22

  • Admission by donation
  • Dunkeswell Airfield, Dunkeswell, Devon EX14 4LG
  • Open Good Friday - the last Sunday in October. Thursday - Saturday 11.00 - 16.00 plus Bank Holidays. Airfield tours available by appointment.
  • www.southwestairfields.co.uk
  • 07778857722
  • info@southwestairfields.co.uk

Outdoor Indoor Walking Heritage & Culture

Information

  • Price Admission by donation
  • Address Dunkeswell Airfield, Dunkeswell, Devon EX14 4LG
  • Opening times Open Good Friday - the last Sunday in October. Thursday - Saturday 11.00 - 16.00 plus Bank Holidays. Airfield tours available by appointment.
  • Website linkwww.southwestairfields.co.uk
  • Phone number 07778857722
  • Email info@southwestairfields.co.uk

Facilities

  • Accessible/Wheelchair Friendly
  • Café / Restaurant On Site
  • Dog Friendly
  • Family Friendly
  • Free Entry
  • Parking

Features

  • Outdoor
  • Indoor
  • Walking
  • Heritage & Culture