The Aeropark

 

The Aeropark will be closed on Saturday 18th September.

Attractions don’t come much more authentic than the Aeropark at East Midlands Airport.

It’s a destination in its own right, located in the north-west corner of the airport site on the southern outskirts of the village of Castle Donington. It’s easy to find and is well signposted from the airport’s main entrance. Regular public bus services stop close by and the Aeropark is also a major feature for walkers on the 'Airport Trail'.

The Aeropark is run on the Airport's behalf entirely by an enthusiastic group of volunteers - the Aeropark Volunteers Association (AVA) - who staff the entrance building, look after the site and most importantly give every exhibit the tender loving care it deserves - all in their own spare time.

Opening times

The Aeropark is open year round and on all Bank Holidays (with the exception of Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day). In the late spring, summer and early autumn school holidays, the Aeropark is often open on extra days – please check this site and the local press for details. The normal opening hours are:

Summer (May 1st to September 30th)
Thursdays	1030 – 1600
Saturdays	1200 – 1700
Sundays	1030 – 1700

Last admission is one hour prior to the advertised closing time

Winter (October 1st to April 30th)
Sundays	10:30 to 17:00 or dusk (whichever is earlier)

There is a small charge for entrance to the Aeropark exhibit and viewing area as follows:

Adults	£ 2.00
Children (aged 5 to 16)	£ 0.50

Children under 5 are admitted free of charge. Car parking is also free of charge.
All children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Unfortunately dogs are not allowed in the Aeropark (except assistance dogs).

To help find the best route, use the AA Route Planner, inserting the post code DE74 2PR. You can also use this postcode on your in-car satellite navigation system.

The Derby<>Leicester SKYLINK and INDIGO bus services both stop just outside the Aeropark and between them offer a regular public transport service to the site during its opening hours.

The Aeropark is both an aviation museum and a viewing area where you can study the fantastic aeronautical technology of yesteryear… or just watch the modern jets of today landing and taking off at a vibrant international airport.

The top of the viewing mound is located just 170 metres / 560 feet from the edge of the main east/west runway at East Midlands Airport – making for fantastic viewing… and even better photographs.

A new viewing mound - see attachment - is currently under construction at the eastern end of the Aeropark site. Due to its elevated ground position this mound will afford even better views of the runway, passenger and cargo terminal operations than the existing mound. The new mound is expected to be in use by the end of May 2010. 

In addition to the static aircraft exhibits and our popular viewing mounds, there are picnic tables right across the Aeropark where you can sit back and enjoy the sights and sounds right above your head.

All Aeropark facilities – including toilets and summertime catering - are suitable for visitors with restricted mobility and children in push-chairs - with the exception of the viewing mounds which are not suitable for wheeled vehicles.

The Romney Building, which was purchased from RAF Hereford and lovingly rebuilt by the volunteers, dates back to WW2 and is a common sight at many military airfields around the UK. Our building houses aircraft and engine exhibits - a ‘working’ restoration and display area where you can watch aircraft parts being lovingly refurbished. The building also offers simple catering for visitors, a small shop selling souvenirs and an undercover rest area when its raining.

School parties and other interested groups can visit the Aeropark but must book in advance with the Aeropark Volunteers Association (AVA) using the email address and telephone number below. As all group bookings are given special treatment and a full guided tour, there is a charge of £2 per supervising teacher/leader and £1 per child/member.

Contact:
Email:  aeropark@eastmidlandsairport.com
Tel:       Ken Williams - 07917 021990