Naval aviation museum offers local discount

The museum holds about 100 naval aircraft

A naval aviation museum has extended its discount ticket scheme for people living across the west of England this winter.

The Fleet Air Arm Museum in Ilchester, Somerset, hosts Europe's largest collection of naval aircraft.

People with BA, BS, TA, DT and SP postcodes will be eligible to receive a 30% reduction on all tickets and simply need to bring proof of address when they arrive.

General manager Marc Farrance said the scheme would help the business during quieter times, while rewarding local people during the cost of living crisis.

He explained the museum was usually busy from April to October.

"We start to get quieter throughout that November, December, January period," he said.

"The ability for us to try and bring extra visitation when we ourselves would normally be quiet, at the same time trying to reward local people... It's a good combination and one we're always happy to venture."

The museum has four exhibition halls telling "a range of different stories", said Marc Farrance

Mr Farrance told BBC Radio Bristol the museum had about half of the 100 aircraft on display.

The tickets are valid for a year "so you can come back as many times as you like", added Mr Farrance.

He said to get the discount, "you can just turn up with something like a driving licence or a utility bill which shows your postcode".

The general manager said he would recommend visitors explore the museum's carrier experience, which has recently been updated.

"Late last year we also launched our new Barracuda live. We're rebuilding a Fairey Barrucuda from original parts," he added.

"That assembly and rebuild is now taking place in and amongst the galleries, so people can get up close and see how that restoration project is progressing."

The discount is running until 14 February 2025.