Dunkeswell Heritage Centre and its wartime airfield
Dunkeswell Heritage Centre explains why this inland airfield mattered to operations far out over the Bay of Biscay. During the Second World War, aircraft based here hunted U-boats. The centre uses photographs, film and personal accounts to connect the present-day place with that work.
Its archive contains more than 400 photographs, alongside uniforms, models and wartime objects. Aviation enthusiasts can explore the aircraft and missions in detail. For older children studying the period, the displays put faces and locations to events usually encountered in a book.
Two local airfields, different stories
A stay at Primrose Cottages near Upottery places you close to the wider Blackdown Hills airfield story. Dunkeswell's anti-submarine role differs from the D-Day transport operations covered at Upottery Heritage Centre. They are separate museums, so choose the subject that interests your group or arrange both around their opening days.
The South West Airfields Heritage Trust gives directions to Dunkeswell Airfield, EX14 4LG, and current visitor arrangements. Seasonal volunteer opening means this is a visit to plan for a listed day. A museum visit does not grant access to operational airfield areas.