Duxford is Europe's premier aviation museum - as well as having one of the finest collections of tanks, military vehicles and naval exhibits in the country. This famous heritage site began as an airfield in the First World War and also played a vital role in the Second World War, firstly as an RAF fighter station and later as an American fighter base.

Acquired by the Imperial War Museum in 1976, today Duxford is the centre for historic aviation with many of its wartime buildings, such as the Control Tower, Operations Room and hangars still in use and retaining their 1940s atmosphere. Indeed, the Operations Room has been meticulously reconstructed and looks just as it did when RAF personnel directed Duxford's fighters during the Battle of Britain in 1940.

On display in the museum's seven main exhibition buildings visitors will see nearly 200 military and civil aircraft as well as maritime exhibits. Hangar 1 contains the pick of Duxford's British Collection including Concorde, the Lancaster and Mosquito.

Duxford is also home to many historic flying aircraft, which can be seen in the air during the summer months and at Duxford's world famous air displays. Visitors can also see the Museum's staff carrying out skilled restoration and conservation work on exhibits. One of the major restoration projects currently being undertaken is that of a Consolidated B-24 Liberator, a four engined American bomber from the Second World War.

Duxford's award-winning American Air Museum was designed by Lord Foster and officially opened in August 1997 by Her Majesty The Queen. This beautiful building houses Duxford's outstanding collection of historic American military aircraft from a First World War biplane to supersonic jets. It stands not only as a tribute to American air power but also as a memorial to the 30,000 US airmen who lost their lives flying from British bases, including Duxford, during the Second World War. It also highlights the role of US air power in the First and Second World Wars, and subsequent conflicts - Korea, Vietnam and Desert Storm, as well as NATO and the Cold War.

Although Duxford is known for its aircraft collection, the remarkable Land Warfare Hall houses tanks, vehicles and artillery - all displayed in a series of dramatic battlefield scenes depicting land warfare from the First World War to the Gulf. The Land Warfare Hall has recently been extended to include two stunning new exhibitions, The Normandy Experience and Monty. These tell the story, through the experiences of the people who were there, of D-Day, Operation Overlord, the Battle of Normandy and the role of Field Marshal Montgomery - a key figure in these historic events.

For children, there are lots of activities organised by the Education Department from assembling an aircraft, discovery trolleys packed with lots of real artefacts that children can handle and other activities to stimulate the imagination and make learning fun. There are always activities planned for children and families throughout the school holiday period. Smaller exhibitions to look out for include the Flying Machine, a hands-on interactive exhibition for children, the Battle of Britain Operations Room and Duxford Radio Society's radio shack which houses several interesting exhibits and where visitors can try their hand at sending Morse code!

Duxford is at junction 10 on the M11 or visitors can ride the Museum's free bus from Cambridge City Centre or railway station. The Museum is open daily from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm (summer) and 10.00 am to 4.00 pm (winter). Normal admission is £8.00 for adults, £6.00 for senior citizens and £4.00 for concessions (though please note that special rates apply on Air Show days).

CHILDREN UNDER 16 ARE GRANTED FREE ADMISSION.

For further information contact Tracey Woods on 01223 499320