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We visited the South Wales Aviation Museum recently with the girls and honestly had no idea how much there would be to see or whether the kids would actually be interested.
If you’ve got children who love planes, vehicles or hands-on museums, this is such an underrated family day out in South Wales.
Here’s everything you need to know before visiting – including costs, parking, what the kids enjoyed most and whether it’s worth the trip.
Last updated: 18th May 2026
Disclaimer: We do our best to keep all information on Little Adventures Wales as accurate and up to date as possible, however opening times, prices, facilities and events can change regularly. We always recommend checking the official website or social media pages before travelling.
Quick Overview
Best for: School-age children and/or plane enthusiasts
Indoor or outdoor? Mostly indoor with a few planes outside
Pushchair friendly? Mostly yes although there are some tight areas and the café is accessed by a spiral staircase
Toilets? Yes
Food available? Yes, café on site
Parking? Free
How long do you need? 1–3 hours
Worth it? A great rainy day activity, especially worth it if your kids love vehicles/planes
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Where Is It?
Picketston Business Park, CF62 4WB
The South Wales Aviation Museum is an aviation museum in Bro Tathan North, St Athan, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales on part of the former MOD St Athan.
If using a Sat Nav or Maps search for the name ‘South Wales Aviation Museum’ rather than navigating to a postcode. We ended up down tight single track lanes and outside a random house!
There was free parking outside the museum and it wasn’t particularly busy when we visited on a rainy Saturday in May.
When Should You Visit?
The South Wales Aviation Museum is open Saturday and Sunday (and Bank Holidays) 10am until 4pm.
During the school holidays and half term it is open on Wednesday from 10am until 3pm.
As it is mostly indoor (with a few planes outside), it is a great rainy day activity – although be mindful that it is located inside a hangar so can be quite cold.
How Much Is It?
At time of publishing, the website states it costs:
Adult £13.10 (one free child per adult)
65+/Students £9.43
Additional Child (3-14) £4.19
We paid £25.00 for our family of four.
You can book online, but we paid on the day – card and cash accepted.
What Is There To See?
There’s a surprisingly large amount packed into the museum considering it’s all housed within one hangar.
Inside you’ll find a mixture of military aircraft, cockpits, aviation displays, history rooms and interactive exhibits. Some of the aircraft can be explored from the inside which was definitely one of the highlights for the girls.
There are also several fascinating history displays filled with memorabilia, uniforms, models and information boards about aviation history and the role of RAF St Athan.
Upstairs there is also a newly opened art gallery, although this area is accessed via a spiral staircase.
Outside there are several larger aircraft and helicopters to see too, which the kids loved despite the rain!
The volunteers were also really friendly and happy to answer questions about the aircraft.
Is It Good for Kids?
Honestly, the girls enjoyed it far more than I expected them to.
Neither of them are particularly obsessed with planes or transport, so I thought they might lose interest quite quickly they were really engaged and keen to explore each aircraft.
There was a treasure hunt sheet which encouraged them to find certain characters hidden around the museum and they were very happy to complete the list.
There are also lots of hands-on activities and older Techniquest-style experiments dotted around the hangar which break things up nicely between the aircraft displays.
Being able to climb inside some of the planes was definitely the biggest highlight for them though.
The Practical Things
Toilets & Facilities
Toilets are available onsite, there is a baby changing station in the female toilets.
Food & Drinks
The is a café on site, accessed by a metal spiral staircase. You are not allowed to consume your own food and drink onsite.
There was a selection of kids meals (fish fingers, nuggets, sausage and chips) and light bites such as jacket potatoes, as well as hot food like lasagne and a selection of hot and cold drinks.
Accessibility
The main attractions are all on one level but upstairs is accessed by a spiral staircase and if you want to look inside the aircrafts most have steps in front of them. You could take a pushchair around parts of the museum, although you would probably find it easier without one.
Things To Know Before You Visit
Check Opening Times Before Travelling
The museum is only open on selected days during term time, so definitely double check the website or Facebook page before setting off.
It Can Be Cold Inside
Although it’s mostly indoors, the museum is inside a large aircraft hangar so it can feel quite chilly – especially on rainy or windy days. I’d definitely recommend taking coats or layers.
You Can’t Bring Your Own Food
Outside food and drinks are not permitted onsite, so bear this in mind if you usually pack snacks for the kids. The café does offer meals, snacks and drinks though.
Supervision Is Important
Some areas are fenced off or restricted due to the age and condition of the aircraft, so younger children definitely need supervising closely while exploring.
My Honest Thoughts
Honestly, I was really pleasantly surprised by the South Wales Aviation Museum.
I expected it to be somewhere we’d walk around fairly quickly, especially as the girls aren’t massively into planes, vehicles or military history – but they genuinely really enjoyed themselves.
The interactive elements, treasure hunt and ability to go inside some of the aircraft made a huge difference and kept them engaged for much longer than I expected.
We ended up spending a couple of hours there without rushing around at all. The girls took their time doing the activities, exploring the planes and looking for treasure hunt clues.
I think if your children LOVE vehicles, transport, planes or military history then they would absolutely love it here.
Would we go back regularly? Probably not, simply because once you’ve explored everything once it’s more of a one-off experience for us personally – but I would absolutely recommend it for a rainy day family activity in South Wales.
FAQs
Is South Wales Aviation Museum suitable for kids?
Yes, absolutely. Children do need supervising closely though as some aircraft are restricted or fenced off due to their age and condition.
Can children go inside the planes?
Some of the aircraft can be explored from the inside, while others are display-only. Everything is clearly signposted onsite.
Is South Wales Aviation Museum free?
No, it is a paid attraction, although we thought the family ticket price was reasonable for the amount there was to see and do.
How long do you need there?
Most families will probably spend between 1 and 3 hours there depending on how interested the children are in the exhibits and activities.
Is it pushchair friendly?
Mostly yes, although some areas are tight and the café upstairs is only accessible via a spiral staircase.
Are there toilets and cafés?
Yes. Toilets are located on the ground floor and there is a café onsite serving meals, snacks and drinks.