Welcome!

Welcome to the official site of the Hovercraft Museum in Lee-on-the-Solent, home to the only collection of historic hovercraft in the world.

Our seafront location at Daedalus in Hampshire houses 66 hovercraft and many related rarities displayed within several aircraft hangars.

This unique museum was recently awarded a prestigious Red Plaque by the Transport Trust to recognise the collection's importance as a notable transport site, while our regular open days draw thousands of people who enjoy seeing these amazing machines close up, and in action

For details of visiting opportunities see the relevant sections.

HoverShow!

Every year we stage a major Hovershow event where visitors experience the thrill of hovercraft trips and enjoy displays of modern and historic craft.

The 2009 event was a special celebration as it was the 50th anniversary of the first operational hovercraft, the SR.N1, which crossed the English Channel on 25th July 1959 with Sir Christopher Cockerell aboard. The inventor's daughter Frances Cockerell opened the event. Hovershow is four days of family entertainment, helicopter & hovercraft rides, refreshments, sideshows and stalls, all staged at our seafront base - see the news section for details of our next event.

The museum is run by a team of dedicated enthusiasts - engineers, pilots and former crew members. The Hovercraft Museum Trust plans to open the collection on a more permanent basis in the future. Visits for students, colleges, schools, groups and individuals, or anyone interested in engineering and technology can be booked at reasonable rates. Membership costs £25 per year and includes visits, newsletters, events, use of library and archives, and access to our amazing collection.

The team has staged more than 10 annual Hovershows and attracted 50,000 visitors to our award-winning museum.

** NEWS FLASH ** 

Open day with Hovertravel service, float plane and helicopter rides on Sunday, 1st August 2010.

Coming soon, Unseen Archive - we take a look at some of the amazing images in the museum library.

** SHOP NEWS ** New museum t-shirts, keyrings and fridge magnets available in the  shop.

** AWARD NEWS ** Hovercraft Museum receives a Red Plaque from the Transport Trust on 19th May 2010. read more.......