Friends of the New Forest Aviation Heritage Centre
Mosquito Way, Christchurch, Hampshire, BH23 8HE
Saturday 19th September 2026
To inform and educate residents and visitors to the New Forest about the local aviation heritage and the twelve airfields, through our Heritage Centre and outreach programme. To preserve the information and memories that we hold in trust.
Located on the edge of the Heatherstone Grange housing development just outside Bransgore, Sopley side.
We occupy the last remaining building of RAF Sopley, a camp built in the early 1950s to provide personnel for the nearby Radar station.
We have adapted this building to preserve the history and heritage of the twelve airfields that were operational in the New Forest during WW2. The centre is also a remembrance to the 25,000 brave service men and women and 10,000 civilians who operated them. Come and learn about the history of aviation in the New Forest.
We have information boards, models, photographs, artefacts, uniforms, videos and CGI to recount the history of the 12 New Forest Airfields.
An upstairs gallery contains many limited edition prints depicting the aircraft that flew from the airfields. Many of these prints are signed by the pilots who flew them. We also have a local aviation reference library with information on the airfields and the aircraft which flew from them.
We also have a preloved book section with books and magazines for sale at bargain prices.
Our children’s quiz has proved very popular, especially as there is a prize at the end if all is correct.
After browsing our gift shop, you have the opportunity to partake of light refreshments in Mee Mee’s tearoom.
We normally have a Homemade cake, cold drinks, filled rolls, snacks as well as tea, coffee and hot chocolate.
There is free parking and free Wi-Fi.
We look forward to seeing you.
Bookings open on the 25th August at 9am for Friends of Hampshire History Trust. General booking opens on 27th August at 9am. To become a Friend of HHT and gain early access, please visit: https://hampshirehistorytrust.com/donations/
Located on the edge of the Heatherstone Grange housing development just outside Bransgore, Sopley side.
We occupy the last remaining building of RAF Sopley, a camp built in the early 1950s to provide personnel for the nearby Radar station.
We have adapted this building to preserve the history and heritage of the twelve airfields that were operational in the New Forest during WW2. The centre is also a remembrance to the 25,000 brave service men and women and 10,000 civilians who operated them. Come and learn about the history of aviation in the New Forest.
We have information boards, models, photographs, artefacts, uniforms, videos and CGI to recount the history of the 12 New Forest Airfields.
An upstairs gallery contains many limited edition prints depicting the aircraft that flew from the airfields. Many of these prints are signed by the pilots who flew them. We also have a local aviation reference library with information on the airfields and the aircraft which flew from them.
We also have a preloved book section with books and magazines for sale at bargain prices.
Our children’s quiz has proved very popular, especially as there is a prize at the end if all is correct.
After browsing our gift shop, you have the opportunity to partake of light refreshments in Mee Mee’s tearoom.
We normally have a Homemade cake, cold drinks, filled rolls, snacks as well as tea, coffee and hot chocolate.
There is free parking and free Wi-Fi.
We look forward to seeing you.
Bookings open on the 25th August at 9am for Friends of Hampshire History Trust. General booking opens on 27th August at 9am. To become a Friend of HHT and gain early access, please visit: https://hampshirehistorytrust.com/donations/
