The Hovercraft Museum

The Hovercraft Museum The only Hovercraft Museum in the world. Over 50 unique craft on display. A great day out by the sea. For SatNav type in PO13 9NS.
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An extensive collection of Hovercraft, including the Worlds Largest Commercial hovercraft, SRN4 “The Princess Anne”

Open on Saturday's from 10:00 until 16:00 and other dates as advertised. Please note when visiting, Parking is on the road (Marine Parade West) and surrounding roads. Parking on Marine Parade west is metered but other local roads vary. This will show up as Drake Road which is after

the Museum's Entrance. Please do not put in PO13 9YA as that will take you to the back gate. Contact address:
The Hovercraft Museum CIO
Building 40
Daedalus Site
Broom Way
Lee-on-the-Solent
Hampshire
PO13 9YA

Prices:
Adult (18-59): £8
Child (5-17): £5
Family (2 adults, 3 children): £22
Concession (Disabled/Serving Military/Veterans/Students/Senior 60+): £7
Under 5's: Free
Carer: Free

We are a registered UK charity "The Hovercraft Museum CIO" with a Charity Commission of England and Wales registration no. 1198896.

Heading back in time to the penultimate day of Hovershow ‘66, Saturday 18th June 1966, and the public are admitted for t...
18/06/2026

Heading back in time to the penultimate day of Hovershow ‘66, Saturday 18th June 1966, and the public are admitted for these last two days of the show!
They are treated to SRN5s and SRN6s showing high speed troop transport logistics on the water and onto the beach.
We have a selection of early prototypes including Britten-Norman Cushion Craft, Vickers, Hovercraft Development Ltd craft amongst others also giving demonstrations!
Imagine all these pioneering craft together like this!
Then there’s the large exhibition pavilion (more of this in tomorrow’s final instalment).

We hope this piece of British Pathé footage plays in your region.

https://youtu.be/NPLLwpAVh8s?is=WUv7eSY1lw114aRl

We’re winding the clock back once again, to day 3 of HoverShow ‘66, Friday 17th June. One more day to wait, until publ...
17/06/2026

We’re winding the clock back once again, to day 3 of HoverShow ‘66, Friday 17th June. One more day to wait, until public admission on the last two days of the show on the weekend.

The show featured models of the upcoming 160 ton SRN4 that was designed to carry cars, plus the conceptual 300 mph hover train!

Demonstrations and displays were given during two hour slots from 1430 to 1630 each afternoon.

Check out the pic of the SRN5 heading in to the beach, with 20+ personal on the side decks, especially the proximity of those at the rear of the craft to the prop!
The 37 ton SRN3 can be seen demonstrating its vehicle carrying capabilities.

It’s 16th June 1966, and day 2 of HoverShow ‘66! The show was opened the day before by Admiral of the Fleet, Lord Mountb...
16/06/2026

It’s 16th June 1966, and day 2 of HoverShow ‘66!
The show was opened the day before by Admiral of the Fleet, Lord Mountbatten of Burma.

Members of the public had to wait until the last two days of the show, as the first three were limited admission.
Day one was £2 admission. Days 2 and 3 were £1. Public days 4 and 5 were 7s 6d (adults), 4s (children).

See the list of show exhibitors (from Hovering Craft & Hydrofoil Magazine).
How many names do you recognise?

SHOW EXHIBITORS
AEX Ltd
Air Age Publications Lid
Alcan Industries Ltd
C. T. Bowring & Co (Insurance) Lid
BP Co Ltd
Bristol S~ddeley Engrnes Ltd
British Hovercraft Cor ol allon
British Railways B o a i f .
Britten-Norman Idtd
BTR Industries Ltd
Cannon Electric (GB) Ltd
CIBA (ARL) Lid
Crown Pump Manufacturing Co Ltd
Dagenite Batteries
Danforth Jackson & Co Ltd
Decca Navigator Co Lid
Dowty Group
English Electric Co Ltd
F P T Industries
E. W. H. GiKord & Partners
Goodyear Tyre & Rubber Co Ltd
Hawker Siddeley Dynamics Ltd
P. J . Hibberd Ltd
High Duty Alloys Ltd
Hovercraft Development Ltd
Hoverlloyd
Hovermaline Ltd
Ilifl'c Marketing Co Ltd
Integral Ltd
Joseph Lucas Industlies LCd
Icalerghi Publications (Hovering Crajt & Hydrofoil)
Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Technology
Pyrenc Co Ltd
Rankin Kuhn & Co Lid
Roles & Parker
Rolls-Royce Lid
Rover Gas Turbines Ltd
Sperry Gyroscope Co I,td
Stone Wallwork (Cha~lion) Ltd
Thermionic Products (Elcctronics) Ltd
Exhibition Consultants

15/06/2026

For the very first time on selected opening dates we’ll be demonstrating the full closing and opening sequence of the BH7’s bow ramp and clamshell door!
Our visitors will have a chance to see the full sequence close up!
The first demonstration will be on Father’s Day (free entry to all dads) next Sunday, 21st June.
We’ll let our visitors know on the day, the timings of the demonstration.*

Be sure to check back for details of our next planned BH7 bow door demonstration.

We’re open both days every weekend. See the link for more information.
https://hovercraft-museum.org/plan-your-visit/

*BH7 bow door demonstrations are subject to weather conditions and volunteer availability, and are at the discretion of the duty manager on the day.

We’re taking a step back in time throughput this week!How far back are we going? 60 years to the day! What was happenin...
15/06/2026

We’re taking a step back in time throughput this week!
How far back are we going? 60 years to the day!

What was happening? The UK Official Singles Chart was topped by Frank Sinatra with ‘Strangers in the Night’, a gallon of petrol cost around 5 Shillings, you could buy a new Ford Cortina for around £600.

We think something far more newsworthy was taking place though…. HOVERSHOW ‘66!

To quote the press release, “The world’s first large-scale hovercraft exhibition and operational display will take place at Browndown, near Gosport, from 15th to 19th June, 1966”.

Join us throughout this week as we share photos and facts from what must surely have been the biggest hovercraft showcasing event to have taken place to date.

Do you have memories or photos from the event? Do you have friends or relations who were involved in any way?
Let us know in the comments, and maybe we’ll feature some of your memories and photos in the coming days!

14/06/2026

Next Sunday, June 21st is Father’s Day and all dads have FREE entry!

In addition to the usual fun and activities, we are introducing a new feature!
For the very first time we will be demonstrating the full closing and opening sequence of the BH7’s bow ramp and clamshell door!
Our visitors will have a chance to see the full sequence close up!
We will let our visitors know on the day, the timings of the operation. *

Be sure to check back for details of our next planned BH7 bow door operation.

We are open both days every weekend. See the link for more information.
https://hovercraft-museum.org/plan-your-visit/

* BH7 bow door demonstration is subject to weather conditions and volunteer availability, and is at the discretion of the duty manager or Trustee on the day.

With a return to the kind of weather we would expect for June, why not make that visit to The Hovercraft Museum this wee...
12/06/2026

With a return to the kind of weather we would expect for June, why not make that visit to The Hovercraft Museum this weekend that you’ve always promised yourselves?

We’re situated overlooking the beautiful Solent and the Isle of Wight.

We’re open both days every weekend, 10.00 - 4.00 (last admissions 3.30).

If you prefer, you can buy your tickets upfront!
https://shop.beyonk.com/o49bpbu5/experiences/zg57r2ww?group=experiences

10/06/2026

There’s a definite Dr Who theme going on at The Hovercraft Museum!

An SRN5 from the Interservice Hovercraft Unit (IHU) featured in an episode of Dr Who.
Can you tell us which episode this was? Pop your replies in the comments!

We have an example of this craft from that episode on display in our collection!
What’s more, you can step aboard the craft and even sit at the controls!

There’s more! In ‘Dr Who Corner’ we have another famous Dr Who ‘character’. We’ll give you a clue…. EXTERMINATE!!!!

See these fabulous exhibits and many more at The Hovercraft Museum in Lee-on-the-Solent. We’re open both days every weekend, 10.00 - 4.00 (last admissions 3.30).
See link for more details : https://hovercraft-museum.org/plan-your-visit/

We’re open TODAY, Sunday : 10.00 - 4.00 (last admissions 3.30).We offer something for everyone! Children’s Corner:A smal...
06/06/2026

We’re open TODAY, Sunday : 10.00 - 4.00 (last admissions 3.30).

We offer something for everyone!

Children’s Corner:
A small area in the shop designed just for our younger visitors. Here, kids can engage in fun activities like hovercraft colouring in our Museum Café. Meanwhile, mum and dad can relax and enjoy a hovercraft film, a light snack, or a drink. It’s the perfect place for kids to play and explore while parents take a well-deserved break.

Plan your visit: https://hovercraft-museum.org/plan-your-visit/

⚠️ HOVERCRAFT MUSEUM CLOSED TODAY (SATURDAY) DUE TO HIGH WIND STRENGTH ⚠️For the safety of our customers and vo...
06/06/2026

⚠️ HOVERCRAFT MUSEUM CLOSED TODAY (SATURDAY) DUE TO HIGH WIND STRENGTH ⚠️

For the safety of our customers and volunteers, we have taken the decision to remain closed today, due to the strong winds predicted to affect the area today.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

We anticipate opening tomorrow as normal.

Address

44-45 Marine Parade W
Lee-on-the-Solent

Opening Hours

Saturday 10am - 3pm
Sunday 10am - 3pm

Telephone

+442392552090

Website

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