Havilland Drogon Rapide
Shuttleworth Air Show N-Blacow
Shuttleworth Air Show P-Chaplin
Shuttleworth Air Show W-Allen
Sopwith Camel at Shuttleworth Air Show
Old Warden Hanger
Talk by aviation historian, Chris Lee-McCloud
A flight in a 1930's De Havilland Dragon Rapide
Historic aircraft in action at the Shuttleworth Collection
Imperial War Museum Duxford
Looking at the story of two historic aerodromes, Shuttleworth Old Warden and Duxford, operated by the Imperial War Museum, this unique weekend allows you to not only enjoy the pageantry of a small historic aircraft show, but includes a short flight on board a famous 1930s plane - a De Havilland DH 89 Dragon Rapide, a short-haul passenger airliner. Accompanied throughout by Dr Robert Owen, aviation historian and the Official Historian of the No. 617 Squadron Association, and with a talk from aviation historian Chris Lee-McCloud, this tour is a must for any aircraft enthusiast.
Available Departures |
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| 27 - June - 2025 | £ 599.00 | Travel Info Book Now |
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Provisional Timings |
Day 1: Arrive independently at the Holiday Inn Huntingdon Racecourse from 15.00. This evening there will be a welcome reception, and dinner with wine followed by a talk by your expert historian Chris Lee-McCloud. Chris is an aviation historian, and has been involved with the Imperial War Museum at Duxford since the early 1980s. In his spare time, Chris spent twenty years in the Air Training Corps, rising to command Duxford’s local Squadron at Sawston. In 2001, after working at Stansted Airport and Duxford, he started his teaching career by reading History at Cambridge. Making good use of his time there, he helped re-launch the Homerton History Society and was elected as President; he also co-wrote an academic paper with one of his lecturers, examining the “cult” of the Spitfire.
Day 2: IWM Duxford and short Rapide flight.
Today is a full day at the Imperial War Museum at Duxford. On arrival we will have a private guided tour, led by Chris Lee-McCloud, of the exhibits including Hangar 4 Battle of Britain Exhibition, the Operations Room and Hangar 3 flying aircraft. The museum has an impressive collection of over 200 aircraft as well as tanks, military vehicles and boats that you have the whole day to fully explore and enjoy. Throughout the day small groups will be taken for the exclusive flight on the De Havilland Dragon Rapide which will take you up and over the aerodrome for approximately 12 minutes. Tonight there will be dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Day 3: Shuttleworth Old Warden visit and airshow.
This morning we will travel to the Shuttleworth (Old Warden) Aerodrome to spend the day watching the historic planes of the Shuttleworth Collection in action in a spectacular flying pageant. The October airshow is 'Race Day' and will also feature some classic vehicles at the show. The Shuttleworth Collection is designed to create the atmosphere of the 1920s aerodrome, and spans from early pioneering aircraft up to World War II aircraft, with highlights including the Bleriot type XI, identical to the one that first crossed the channel in 1909, and the Bristol Boxkite, which was built for the film Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines. Return to the hotel for approximately 17.30.
NB: Exact order of itinerary may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion.
Please note: Post tour extra nights are available at a supplement
Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 48 passengers.
Please note in order to gain access to the De Havilland Dragon Rapide aircraft you will need to climb up 2 steps.
Please note that at Shuttleworth there will be a flying pageant show (weather permitting). As there are no seating places available, we recommend you bring your own folding chair/stool.
Please note: In the unlikely event of the Rapide flight being cancelled for any reason a voucher for a replacement flight only will be issued.
INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED
Holiday Inn Huntingdon Racecourse
The three-star Holiday Inn Huntingdon Racecourse is conveniently located close to the A1 and A14 and only 10 minutes drive from the market town of Huntingdon. The hotel has a cafe, lounge, restaurant and mini gym and bedrooms are comfortable with en-suite bathroom, TV, telephone and wifi.
Car parking: complimentary car parking is available at the hotel.
Holiday Inn Huntingdon Racecourse Website
Your Expert Historian - Chris Lee-McCloud
Chris Lee-McCloud is a lifelong aviation historian, and has been involved with the Imperial War Museum at Duxford since the early 1980s. In his spare time, Chris spent twenty years in the Air Training Corps, rising to command Duxford’s local Squadron at Sawston. In 2001, after working at Stansted Airport and Duxford, Chris started his teaching career by reading History at Cambridge. Making good use of his time there, he helped re-launch the Homerton History Society and was elected as President; he also co-wrote an academic paper with one of his lecturers, examining the “cult” of the Spitfire. Chris now teaches History near Cambridge, conveniently close to Duxford as his students often like to visit! He has also planned and led school tours of the First World War Battlefields of France and Belgium for over ten years.
Chris has been leading guided tours at Duxford and other venues for more than 25 years, and greatly enjoys guiding for Travel Editions as the audience is refreshingly different from his day job!
Your Expert Tour Manager - Dr Robert Owen
Dr Robert Owen, an aviation historian and the Official Historian of the No. 617 Squadron Association. His interest in the Squadron extends over 40 years and he is co-author of "Breaching the German Dams" for the RAF Museum. He has assisted the authors of numerous authoritative books on the subject together with a number of TV documentaries. He has also contributed to publications for the RAF Museum, Keith Park Memorial Fund, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and the RAF's official publication commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
Please note that all our UK tours start and finish at the relevant hotel.
You can normally check in from 3pm onwards but hotels will always be happy to store your luggage if you arrive earlier in the day.
For full details of how to get to the hotel, directions and the nearest train station, please click on the hotel website or call our office for details. These will also be sent automatically with your confirmation.
The welcome reception and first evening dinner / talk will commence at about 7pm - full details will be sent with your joining instructions about 10 days prior to the arrival date.
Loved the whole experience., The flight was great! Chris & Rob were excellent guides ands so helpful when it came to taking our car to Shuttleworth rather than taking the coach there. It made our journey home so much better. Also it was very hot and it meant we could leave an hour earlier when we were both very tired. Thankyou!.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 01-September-2023
Heaps of praise for our guide Chris, who stepped in at the last moment. He was extremely knowledgeable, extremely friendly, very good indeed at organising groups when giving information on tour, pitched the information at exactly the right level for everyone - not too much nitty, gritty, long-winded spec - and great fluency. Obviously a natural teacher. Well done, Chris, highly recommended.
Review by Jones who travelled 02-September-2022
Only 1 suggestion. We were asked to take chairs for the Shuttleworth day. I suggest that it might be a good idea to do the same for IWM. While it has abundant seating outdoors, like many museums it has few places to sit inside the buildings, and it became hard to stand to listen to our excellent guides' talks.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 02-September-2022
Review by Anonymous who travelled 02-September-2022
Very enjoyable trip. Due to the nature of the events it was full on both days. Very lucky with the weather and everything went exactly as planned.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 02-September-2022
Review by Anonymous who travelled 02-September-2022
The food at the Huntingdon Marriott was ordinary and the service slow. The wifi was impenetrable. The tour manager and the lecturer were good, but got a bit carried away with technical detail. But I enjoyed Duxford; the weather was very kind.
Review by Lamley who travelled 02-September-2022
We thought this trip was excellent as you can see from our markings.The Hotel and food was also very good. The Duxford Rapid flight, museum on Saturday and air display on Sunday could not be faulted.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 01-July-2022
Review by Mee who travelled 01-July-2022
Joining instructions omitted very basic information i.e. meeting times. The hotel food was not good - overcooked pasta served with cauliflower and roast potatoes - a bizarre mix. 44 people on the tour made organisation at Shuttleworth difficult but the guides were excellent. Hotel not near either venue?
Review by Allen who travelled 01-July-2022
Review by Anonymous who travelled 01-July-2022
Excellent break. Well organized. Second day evening meal filling but a bit basic.
Review by Davies who travelled 01-July-2022
Very good generally, food abit hit and miss at times at the hotel.
Review by Newton who travelled 01-July-2022
Very good, we enjoyed it and look forward to using the company again soon.
Review by Mariucci who travelled 01-July-2022
Review by Anonymous who travelled 01-July-2022
Very worthwhile trip. David was knowledgeable and accommodating.Nice people and good hotel. Excellent service.
Review by Leinberger who travelled 01-July-2022
At the hotel breakfasts were very good, but dinners mediocre. Hotel staff were working so hard, but exceptionally friendly and helpful
Review by Douetil who travelled 01-July-2022
(Flight/Train/Ferry n/a)
Review by Anonymous who travelled 01-July-2022
Excellent weekend. Talk on first evening was a very good source of background on IWM Duxford. Flight in Dragon Rapide was a little bumpy due to the wind. Plenty of opportunity to explore the rest of the museum. Old Warden was very enjoyable - plenty to do and see. A very enjoyable trip.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 01-July-2022
What a wonderful tour. Both days we were given excellent talks and travel around the sites. If I am slightly critical I would prefer to pay a bit more for better food & wine in the hotel, although the Marriott's room was excellent. All in all I would recommend this tour to anyone who has an interest in aviation.
Review by Brown who travelled 01-July-2022
Strangr menue for evening mrals.
Review by Woodcock who travelled 30-July-2021
A superb tour in every respect. The venues were fabulous as were the tour manager, lecturer, bus driver, hotel staff, room and food. Have already recommended you to friends and family
Review by Harper who travelled 30-July-2021
A very enjoyable tour apart from the weather-can't fault anyone for that.
Review by Hughes who travelled 30-July-2021
The Duxford day was less satisfactory than the Old Warden day. The guided tours and the Dragon Rapide flight, although excellent in themselves, were very short and were all over within the first couple of hours. The rest of the day then seemed quite long. But, even so, we enjoyed the weekend immensely, and met many entertaining and interesting people.
Review by Parker who travelled 30-July-2021
The two leaders gave every possible service & made the event a joy.
Review by Morgan who travelled 30-July-2021
The whole trip was excellent and my friends complimented me on arrangeing it, They asked me to enquire about any other trips for us elderly gentlemen who are interested in Cars and planes. I will contact you to look into another trip
Review by Land who travelled 30-July-2021
Review by Burton who travelled 30-July-2021
A very pleasant weekend break. The hotel was very good and we thoroughly enjoyed the Shuttleworth airshow
Review by Anonymous who travelled 30-August-2019
A very interesting weekend well tuned to the interests of particpants.
Review by Masson who travelled 30-August-2019
Very well organised tour with expert, approachable lecturer. Tour manager on top of his game. He coped very well with delays caused by traffic issues on the A14 and was able to rearrange bookings so that it did not affect our day.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 30-August-2019
The Marriott Hotel (Huntingdon) was very good but let down by the quality of the food on offer in the evening (3 meals). Apart from that the tour was very good.. However it was a same that we had to leave the air display before it was finished.
Review by Seys who travelled 02-August-2019
We enjoyed the holiday break very much. Everyone who took part (plus the weather) did an excellent job. Thank you The Gibson’s.
Review by Gibson who travelled 02-August-2019
Both the Guides were informative and interesting. Very clear about arrangements which we appreciated.
Review by Rogerson who travelled 02-August-2019
Everything about this trip was very well organised. The speakers were very good. Hotel was good with reasonable standard of food. We preferred the buffet style of meal on the Saturday night. We really enjoyed Duxford and the flight. Unfortunately we could not attend the trip on Sunday due to a family emergency.
Review by Archer who travelled 02-August-2019
What made this Hotel better than the previous hotel I experienced on a Travel editions tour was: Hotel offered a buffet breakfast which is less time consuming than cooked to order. There was a choice at diner.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 02-August-2019
Probably the best "tour" we have been on. From the Tour Manager, and the expert David who explained all we were shown, to the hotel and staff which exceeded our expectations it was a great few days.
Review by Hayward who travelled 02-August-2019
The trip was excellent. The only comment was that during the initial talk/lecture people sitting at the back could not hear (myself included) because there was no microphone, which was definitely needed.
Review by Davis who travelled 02-August-2019
The speaker on the Friday night lacked a microphone and could not be fully heard by many guests
Review by Anderson who travelled 02-August-2019
It was a very enjoyable break. Our tour Managers were excellent!
Review by Evans who travelled 31-August-2018
We were well looked after by "Mother Hen" . I was slightly disappointed by the food at the Marriott Hotel. It was OK but a bit canteen like.
Review by who travelled 31-August-2018
The whole organisation, and particularly the tour guides, were excellent. The visits to Duxford and Old Warden were very rewarding, even for somebody with only a passing interest in aviation history. I took the tour because the Rapide was the first plane I flew in, in 1951, age 14. And the weather was outstanding!
Review by Perkins who travelled 31-August-2018
An interesting and enjoyable weekend blessed by excellent weather! The visit to Duxford was about an hour too long - many people were ready to return at 4pm rather than 5pm. Conversely, we could have done with 30 - 45 minutes extra at Old Warden/Shuttleworth Air Pageant as many interesting aircraft were flown after our departure time of 5pm.
Review by Dyer who travelled 31-August-2018
A very enjoyable couple of days..
Review by Anonymous who travelled 31-August-2018
Review by Sandeman who travelled 31-August-2018
The only adverse comment would be that we were charged £12.50 per 250ml glass of wine in the hotel which I think is excessive. Otherwise I cannot fault this trip in any way. Tour manager and guest expert were very helpful and informative and we enjoyed the weekend.
Review by who travelled 03-August-2018
We thoroughly enjoyed the programme, but a little too long at Duxford.
Review by who travelled 03-August-2018
Most enjoyable and interesting weekend. Tour manager excellent and specialist guide superb and extremely knowledgeable. A reminder pre-departure to label our folding chairs for the airshow with our names would have been wise.
Review by Hudson who travelled 03-August-2018
Review by Hedworth who travelled 03-August-2018
A brilliant tour - intelligently thought out, very efficiently managed, expertly guided and a pleasure to travel with like-minded people. The hotel also deserves special mention; charming staff, very good food and accommodation, and miraculously quiet despite sharing with a huge wedding celebration! Not one component of the weekend could have been bettered!
Review by Clarke who travelled 03-August-2018
This tour, as with the others I have done with Travel Editions, was excellent. Robert Owen is especially good as tour leader. He's knowledgable as well as conducting the tour in a relaxed manner. Thoroughly enjoyed every aspect and looking forward to the next which is booked for September.
Review by Tomlinson who travelled 03-August-2018
First time with you. Excellent tour and guides. suggest hotel used reviews its fire alarm procedures as staff did not come out to meeting point or formally call in during a false fire alarm
Review by who travelled 03-August-2018
Review by who travelled 03-August-2018
A well organised tour which we enjoyed.
Review by Slaughter who travelled 03-August-2018
Meant to say Saturday night for the film!
Review by Allen who travelled 03-August-2018
David and Stephen were excellent Guide and Host, the programme was well planned and organised. The flight in the Rapide was the icing on the cake. Overall this tour was first class, the third such tour that we have done with Travel Editions, highly recommended
Review by Petrie who travelled 01-September-2017
Excellent
Review by Marsh who travelled 01-September-2017
Excellent time the visits were great fun the talks fantastic and so informative . In fact it exceeded the brochures description thoroughly enjoyed it
Review by Price who travelled 01-September-2017
An excellent week end which was enjoyed very much!
Review by Mr Ronald Allison who travelled 14-July-2017
Sunday night menu was rather restricted. Friday evening was evcellent
Review by Mrs Margaret Warrener who travelled 14-July-2017
Review by Mr Michael Knights who travelled 14-July-2017
Our first outing with Travel Editions. Very impressed with the arrangements and with both the Group Leader and the Speaker/Guide, David Lee.
Review by Mr Ivor Pincombe who travelled 02-September-2016
Thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience - would totally recommend you.
Review by Mrs Ali Wrigley who travelled 02-September-2016
a very enjoyable holiday overall
Review by Mr Anthony Hopkins who travelled 02-September-2016
Review by Mr John Davies who travelled 02-September-2016
Once again a tour at the Travel Editions high standard. Look forward to 2017 I hope we get the themed weekends brochure before we see them in the Telegraph. We are planning two trips next year . All the best John & Jennifer Brock
Review by Mr John Brock who travelled 02-September-2016
The whole trip was excellent!! The two guides were knowledgable,friendly and helpul. The hotel was a dream,and the food was top class! The whole thing exceeded our expectations-and the flight in the Dragon Rapide was the highlight- we became "The "Dramatic Damsels in the Dragon Rapide!!" 5****** for eveything, we never wanted it to end!! We would love to do more with the company! I would recommend your company to anyone!! Thankyou.
Review by Ms Sandra Hildred who travelled 02-September-2016
Review by Mr Alan Edwards who travelled 02-September-2016
We really enjoyed this experience. Although on the go it felt quite relaxing at same time. No complaints.
Review by Mrs Pamela Bradley who travelled 05-August-2016
Excellent experience overall - very good manager/guide team
Review by Mr Andrew Scott who travelled 05-August-2016
Overall very pleased with the package and lived up to description. A little more information on details like dress code for the dinner with speaker may have been helpful. Knowledgable guides. Thankyou.
Review by Mr Guy Whittle who travelled 05-August-2016
First time with you. AOK. Several of your other offerings are attractive - trying to match them calendar dates is the challenge.
Review by Mr Kenneth Sims who travelled 05-August-2016
The only hiccup was finding out we hadn't had all the introduction paperwork which recommended that we bring chairs to sit on while watching the Edwardian Pageant at Old Warden
Review by Mrs Rosemary Bastow who travelled 05-August-2016
First rate trip with unfussy management and plenty of freedom. Free wine on the first evening was a pleasant surprise.
Review by Mrs Judith Collin who travelled 05-August-2016
Organization excellent. The coach driver was also very helpful and efficient.
Review by Mr Michael Billings who travelled 05-August-2016
Even the weather was stunning! Maximum enjoyment, Excellent speakers and guides. A magic weekend.
Review by Mr John Williams who travelled 05-August-2016
Very informative and interesting trip with a wider appeal than might have been the case.
Review by Mr Andrew Hurst who travelled 05-August-2016
David Lee very knowledgeable, enthusiastic and approachable. Enjoyed how he balanced between hanger tours, flights and free time, always giving clear next meeting and departure times. Rob Owen earned his money as Tour Manager by sorting out the problem with the wrong dated admission tickets for the visit to the Shuttleworth Collection. The food and service were better the previous weekend at The Holiday Inn at Garforth. The tour was much better and more interesting than expected with lots to see. Two very enjoyable days.
Review by Mr Simon Watt-Smith who travelled 05-August-2016
Excellent except poor diner. Fortunately we ate elsewhere next day. Charge a bit more and get it right next time.
Review by Mr Peter Bentley who travelled 01-July-2016
Review by Mrs Janet Spavold who travelled 01-July-2016
The accomodation at Huntingdon was fine but the dinners served with no alternatives offered were very poor indeed. One personal gripe, the hotel failed my requested early call on the last morning and in order to check out and meet the coach departure deadline I had to forgoe breakfast.
Review by Mrs M Smith who travelled 01-July-2016
Excellent accommodation, really enjoyable weekend helped by the weather! Pity we could not stay longer at Old Warden but being the Sunday we understand the need to get back to our cars. We did note that some of the group drove to Old Warden which gave them the option to leave later. We did not realise this could be done and it would be useful to include this as an option.
Review by Mr Colin Froude who travelled 01-July-2016
Very enjoyable visit, good accommodation and tour leader.
Review by Mr Anthony Geraghty who travelled 01-July-2016
The whole weekend was very enjoyable and interesting.However the evening meals were disappointing being very much of the mass produced variety. Is there any possibility of a Whisky tour of Scotland?
Review by Mr James Underwood who travelled 01-July-2016
Review by Mr Nigel West who travelled 01-July-2016
A very enjoyable and well organised weekend.
Review by Mr Daniel Wiles who travelled 01-July-2016
Very enjoyable weekend with lots of interesting things to see and do. David Lee's information and knowledge added to the days though my wife still can't tell a Mk.1 Spitfire from a Mk.5B!
Review by Mr David Blackburn who travelled 01-July-2016
my wife and I enjoyed the tour enormusly. The tour manager and guide were excellent and knew their subject from A to Z. It was great to have everything paid for in advance, We shall certainly go on some of your other tours.
Review by Mr Morris Davis who travelled 01-July-2016
Review by Mr John Goulding who travelled 03-October-2015
A first class weekend tour.The reception and first evening was ideal. The Sunday event at The Shuttleworth collection couldn't have been better especially the weather. The day at Duxford was spoilt by the inclement weather which made it very difficult for the tour manager.
Review by Mr Michael Howe who travelled 03-October-2015
Very well organised. All participants were aeroplane enthusiasts who were led throughout by experts in the field. Informative and enjoyable. Well done!
Review by Mr G Morris who travelled 03-October-2015
Review by Mr Clive Brown who travelled 03-October-2015
A thoroughly enjoyable and well directed Tour. It was a privilege to be able to benefit from David's deep knowledge and long experience of Duxford. Robert was a genial and quietly competent host. All in all a wonderful two days. Thank you very much.
Review by Mr Robert Hirst who travelled 03-October-2015
Thoroughly enjoyed the stay and visits to Old Warden and Duxford.
Review by Mr R Haven who travelled 03-October-2015
A most enjoyable few days well organised and nice to meet new people.
Review by Mrs Margaret Graham who travelled 03-October-2015
We enjoyed this weekend enormously. The only small quibble I have is that I understood that we would be given a program for the Shuttleworth Airshow, but this didn't happen. We tried to find one on the site but couldn't (I guess that was our fault). The program would be most useful in labelling my photos and videos of the airshow. Still, as I said it's a small quibble.
Review by Mrs Ann Moss who travelled 31-July-2015
Our flight was shorter than advertised.
Review by Mrs Ann Humble who travelled 31-July-2015
There was a hold up waiting for the flight in the Dragon Rapide, there was nothing your team could do to rectify this situation. In all avery enjoyable experience.
Review by Mr Anthony Howarth who travelled 31-July-2015
Travel Editions have done it again. A lovely weekend thank you. Mr Lee was a very good guide but we'd have liked more anecdotal stuff rather than the history which was on the information boards in most places.
Review by Mr James Shiels who travelled 31-July-2015
Very very good loved both locations loved the flight in the Rapide , loved the flying display, I was a great big kid again.
Review by Mr John Harvey who travelled 31-July-2015
Had a great time but would have loved to have been told in advance that it would have been a good idea to take seats to the Shuttleworth show as there was no seating.
Review by Mrs M Eyles who travelled 31-July-2015
Review by who travelled 31-July-2015
Very interesting visits with excellent information from Mr Lee. Really enjoyed the flight and the display at Old Warden. The airshow would have been even more enjoyable if folding chairs had been available.
Review by Mrs Susan Roberts who travelled 31-July-2015
Review by Mr Jeremy Gibbons who travelled 31-July-2015
Excellent well organised trip, and fantastic weather. Dissapointed with Marriott hotel.
Review by Mrs Anne Hathaway who travelled 31-July-2015
Review by Mrs Pauline Weller who travelled 08-August-2014
overall impression was very good
Review by Mr Clive Geary who travelled 08-August-2014
Review by Mr Douglas Oberheim who travelled 08-August-2014
A most enjoyable weekend in great company of like-minded people; excellent guides, very comfortable hotel. Shall certainly travel with you again!
Review by Mr Derek Burgess who travelled 08-August-2014
Review by Mrs C Wilson who travelled 08-August-2014
Overall impression "satisfactory" due to circumstances beyond anyone's control - ie the weather, which sadly made the visit to Shuttleworth a non-event for me, as I have been before to see the static displays. The whole object of the trip for me was to see the flying, which sadly was not to be - but you cannot be blamed for that!
Review by Mrs Yvonne Clutterbuck who travelled 08-August-2014
Review by Mrs Sue Robinson who travelled 08-August-2014
Both David and Robert provided all the information we could need about every aspect of the holiday and cope d admirably with the necessary alterations to the timings caused by adverse weather.
Review by Mr Alan Todd who travelled 08-August-2014
