Battle of Britain Command Bunker
The Comet Hotel
Bentley Priory Museum
de Havilland Mosquito
de Havailland Museum
Battle of Britain Command Bunker
Battle of Britain Command Bunker
Mosquito
The Comet Hotel
Guided tour of the Battle of Britain Bunker
Visit the Former Headquarters of Fighter Command at Bentley Priory
Private evening visit with dinner at the de Havilland Museum
Expert guided visit to the RAF Museum
Reach for the Sky - The Battle of Britain and de Havilland's war winning Mosquito
In the dark days of 1940 the future of Britain rested on victory in the air. While the "Few" were battling to defeat the Luftwaffe over Southern England, the designers at de Havilland were developing what would be one of the most versatile aircraft of World War II. Explore this fascinating and critical period of Britain's aviation history.
Visit the sites where key decisions were taken and tactics developed that determined Britain's survival, including the Uxbridge Bunker - Sit in the actual room from which Air Vice Marshal Park, "The Defender of London", directed his pilots into battle, seeing it from his perspective and learning how he marshalled and controlled his forces using technology of the period.
A highlight of the tour is a private evening visit to the de Havilland Aircraft Museum, Britain's oldest aviation museum. This is the site where the prototype Mosquito was designed and built, and is still home to this unique historic aircraft, along with two later marks; the only location which has three examples of this outstanding aircraft. Here you can learn more about the de Havilland story and see examples of their other legendary sporting and commercial aircraft. We will enjoy a private dinner overlooking the Comet in the Walter Gold Smith hanger.
Join aviation historians Dr Rob Owen and Guy Thomas to visit the key command centres and see examples of the machines that made victory possible.
Available Departures |
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| 23 - March - 2026 | £ 1199.00 | Travel Info Book Now |
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Provisional Timings |
Day 1: Arrive independently at the Comet Hotel, Hatfield from 15.00. This evening there will be a welcome reception, private dinner and illustrated talk by Dr Robert Owen - ‘The de Havilland Mosquito - The Wooden Wonder'.
Day 2: RAF Museum and the de Havilland Museum.
Full day visit to the RAF Museum where you will have two tours with our expert guides, who will point out the machines and weapons used throughout history, during the Battle of Britain, and up to present day. You will then have time to view the museums extensive collection of aircraft spanning the history of the Royal Air Force. Return to the hotel late afternoon, then a private evening visit to the de Havilland Museum at Salisbury Hall, where the Mosquito was designed and from where it first flew. See three examples of this classic aircraft together with others produced by this outstanding company, one of the pioneers of British aviation. We enjoy a dinner with wine and a talk from Guy Thomas.
Day 3: Battle of Britain Bunker and Bentley Priory.
First visit of the day is to the Battle of Britain Bunker at Uxbridge (no lift available) for a guided tour where you will view the underground operations room from where Air Vice-Marshall Keith Park directed the No. 11 Group. After time for lunch (own expense), travel on to the Former Headquarters of Fighter Command at Bentley Priory, Stanmore for a guided tour of parts of the main house including a reconstruction of the filter room and Air Chief Marshal Dowding’s office. The Bentley Priory Museum is a permanent living memorial to those who served in the Royal Air Force and fought in the Battle which acknowledges and recognises the sacrifices made by them and others to ensure the freedom of Europe and the World. Return to the hotel for approximately 17.00.
NB: Exact order of excursions 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 is 30 travellers.
Tour Grading: This tour has been graded as moderate due to time standing for viewing at the attractions. Please note that access to the Uxbridge Battle of Britain bunker is via 76 steps down (and back up), with no lift. For anyone not wanting to go into the bunker, there is a virtual video tour which can be viewed in the main exhibition area.
INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED
The Comet Hotel
This Art Deco style building is Hatfield's most iconic, and is located just 3 minutes from J23 of the M25 and is also within easy reaching distance of the A1(M) and M1. The hotel has a restaurant and bar, with decor based on the period glamour of the original Comet Hotel which first opened in 1936. The hotel's iconic and unusual shape is due to being original designed around the footprint of the de Havilland Comet DH.88 racing aeroplane.
All rooms are modern with private bathroom facilities, TV, free Wi-Fi, hairdryer, telephone and air-conditioning/heating. Complimentary car parking is available at the hotel.
Hotel Website
Our experts:
Guy Thomas – Aviation Historian – Talks & Tours
Guy has a lifelong interest in Aviation Heritage and has written and published several aeronautical drawings and articles. Since retiring, he has developed an Aviation & Auto Heritage website, is Chairman of the East Hertfordshire Aviation Society and as a volunteer with the RAF Museum, takes visitors on guided tours at Hendon. He also gives talks on a range of Aviation Topics.
Dr Rob Owen - Aviation Historian, Author, and former Chairman of the Barnes Wallis Foundation.
As Official Historian of the No. 617 Squadron Association, he has produced number of a books including biography of Sqn Ldr Henry Maudslay DFC, one of the pilots lost on the Dams Raid and was a lead contributor to “Dambusters – Failed to return” and a number of other works documenting the lives of some of those who flew, fought and died with Bomber Command. His most recent work, “Breaking the German Dams: A Minute-By-Minute Account of Operation Chastise” received acclaimed reviews.
He has written for magazines including “Aeroplane” and “Flypast” and has co-authored a number of publications for the RAF Museum and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, assisted the authors of numerous authoritative aviation works and TV documentary producers.
An experienced and knowledgeable tour manager and guide, Robert provides an enthusiastic, authoritative and personal insight into his tour locations and exhibits.
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.
We love to receive feedback from our customers. Their views help us to keep improving the ours we offer. If you have been on this tour and would like to submit a review, please log in to our client area here and fill in the short form.
Review by Mr G Morris who travelled 23-June-2017
This was a special present for my husband but was very much enjoyed by both of us. A lot was packed into the two and a half days. Robert was a very good guide who made the whole tour come alive and was happy to answer everyone's questions. All the guides at the various places were very good too and the people on the tour were interesting and friendly which made it even better. We will certainly do another tour with you another year
Review by Mrs Christina Edwards who travelled 23-June-2017
hotel provided no choice of menu for dinner, not even a vegetarian alternative.
Review by Mr Lawrence Beresford who travelled 23-June-2017
A very enjoyable weekend for me although I was apprehensive because I'm not an avaiation history enthusiast. Came for family history background knowledge. Plenty of information without being overwhelming and support, particularly from Robert was first rate. I also gained from enthusiasts on the tour who were willing to discuss things with me. I've got a lot more confidence in pursuing my father's WW2 RAF service.
Review by Mrs Sheila Stephens who travelled 23-June-2017
The first evening meal was very poor - but after that things got better.
Review by Mr Michael Stammers who travelled 23-June-2017
Another up to standard enjoyable trip
Review by Mr John Brock who travelled 23-June-2017
The hotel was a bit down at heel (refurbishment not yet complete) and walking from reception to my room took a good 5 minutes. The dinner on day1 was disappointing (nondescript and overcooked). Very much better on day 2.
Review by Mr Michael Gough who travelled 23-June-2017
The main part of the hotel was excellent as was the sleeping area of my room but the bathroom was a bit tired. The hotel staff were excellent but there was not enough of them, especially in the bar area.
Review by Mr John Menzies who travelled 24-June-2016
A really interesting and moving weekend. The Uxbridge bunker and Bentley Priory were special places to visit. Good company all round. Robert Owen was a splendid host - incredibly knowledgable and easy going, but right on the ball. And besides this, through him I managed not to loose either my glasses or my London Library Bag. Thank you very much! Jill Gregorowski
Review by Mrs Jill Gregorowski who travelled 24-June-2016
Another excellent, stimulating and informative tour, perfectly managed. Thank you to all involved.
Review by Mr Robert Hirst who travelled 24-June-2016
The Mercure Hotel at Hatfield left a lot to be disired. We stayed the extra night and had trouble ordering room service, when we eventually got our meal it was nearly inedible, we complained to the duty manager on Monday morning and she cancelled the cost of the meal and also the the price of the bottle of wine we had, and gave us a packed lunch The content of Reach for the Sky was execellent, but we feel the choice of hotel needs to be addressed for future breaks.
Review by Mrs Greta Wildman who travelled 24-June-2016
Travel Editions feedback:
Thank you for your comments and we will certainly investigate a new hotel for 2017. We were pleased to learn you enjoyed the tour overall.
The tour manager intimated that he would be expressing concerns about the hotel. There was a noise issue which affected many of the group (not ourselves). The hotel felt "tired" - definitely in need of TLC. Experience in the restaurant, particularly at breakfast was not very good: the staff were very willing but there seemed to be no routine and service/availability of dishes was patchy. This is in my opinion a management issue. The hotel was overall disappointing and not to the standard we have experienced on Travel Editions tours previously.
Review by Mr Anthony Clifton who travelled 24-June-2016
Most enjoyable from my point of view was the visit to De Haveland museum on Sat evening. Enthusiasm of guides made for a very interesting visit.
Review by Mr John Emberson who travelled 24-June-2016
I would like to comment on the Manager who was excellent. However we found the timings of certain visits were too long, especially the RAF Museum when we arrived @ 10am for a departure @ 3.30. For us this was 2 hours too long especially as one had to go beck to Hatfield to hit the M25 @ 5pm with returning weekend traffic.
Review by Mr Antony Jayakar who travelled 24-June-2016
Excellent tour with excellent tour guide. Buffet food at the Ramada was average but i suppose that waiter service would br too expensive?
Review by Mr Richard Lowe who travelled 18-September-2014
This was the 1st trip of this package. There were9 ladies, 19 men. There were at least 4 pilots and 3 navigators in the group. My husband is an ex-DeHavillands apprentice and when we visited the DeH museum he was in his element. Grahame was so enthusiastic, telling us all about it. I was surprised how much I enjoyed it, too. I have seen the bunker room, at Uxbridge, so many times, over the decades, on film, it was very interesting to see it on the flesh, so to speak. Rob was an enthusiastic host who looked after us very well. A thoroughly enjoyable trip.
Review by Mrs Katherine Sant who travelled 18-September-2014
A very good new tour for you !! Robert Owen was as always a good lecturer and tour guide Very pleased that the Hotel waived the Parking Fee for Residents as I object to paying this at your Hilton Hotels
Review by Mr Edward Whitaker who travelled 18-September-2014
