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Events

Family Drive-in Air Show

A family favourite celebrating the perennial need for speed, from Richard Shuttleworth’s favourite racer to visiting speedsters.

2021 sees the return of the award-winning Drive-In Displays from the Shuttleworth Trust. The perfect family day out, expect thrilling air displays from historic aircraft and explore the beautiful Shuttleworth Swiss Garden. There is something to keep the whole family entertained!

How do the Drive-in Air Displays work?

You will be parked in your own box where you will have enough room for your car and to set up your picnic alongside. Catering and refreshments will be available to purchase in your drive-in zone. Each zone will also have toilets facilities, including disabled toilets and baby changing facilities. You will be free (and encouraged) to explore the Shuttleworth site including the Swiss Garden which offers a beautiful peaceful escape (up to Tier 4) and Shuttleworth House and hangars (up to Tier 3). We then ask visitors to return to their car spaces to enjoy the incredible air display from a plethora of historic aircraft, commentary is available to listen from your FM radio.

If you would like to park next to a particular vehicle please arrive in convoy. If you are unable to arrive in convoy, please advise the staff on arrival that you are waiting for another vehicle and they will direct you to a waiting area. Once all your vehicles are together, you can then proceed in convoy to re-join the traffic stream for the parking areas.

Pricing

Our new pricing structure will help visitors in smaller groups and without a car to attend our shows. Each party must book EITHER a 5×5 metre box for a car with up to 5 people inside OR a 2.5×5 meter box for up to two pedestrians/two cyclists/one motorcyclist and guest OR a 4.5×8 metre oversized car space for all vehicles over 2 meters high, 2.5 meters wide or 5 meters in length.

Each person then must have a valid air show ticket.

If you are shielding and want to guarantee a covid-secure box, then please stick to the May, June, July and Flying Circus shows. Covid-secure boxes cannot be guaranteed for the later shows.

Camping

Shuttleworth allows tents, caravans and motorhomes. We offer wild camping only, no toilet or shower facilities are available, to camp you must provide your own

Campers may enter the Visitor Attraction free of charge for the duration of their stay.

Please read our Camping Terms and Conditions prior to booking.

Aircraft Line-up

Highlights include the Little and Large display team and the amazing Wingwalkers!

Click here for the full aircraft line-up.

Free Shuttle Bus

For pedestrians wishing to attend the show, a free shuttle bus service will run from Biggleswade train station to Shuttleworth. This will run on a loop starting at Bigglewade train station at 10:30, and run continuously until approx 13:30. Journey time is approx 15 minutes each way.

The bus will not run during the air display, but will recommence after the display ends at approx 17:00 and continue for an hour and a half.

IMPORTANT NOTE: to attend as a pedestrian, you will need to book a pedestrian box in addition to an air show ticket.

Ground Attractions

Collection Hangars: Open 10am-close

View our amazing collection of aircraft, vintage vehicles and several heritage exhibits in our hangars. Most of the Collection is in flying / working condition, so some of the exhibits may be flying or exhibited outside during the event.

For further information on the exhibits, please view details on our Collection page.

Swiss Garden: open 10am-5pm

Shuttleworth’s Swiss Garden is hidden romantic treasure of 10 acres of landscaped gardens, and lies adjacent to the hangars and Shuttleworth House. Wander among splendid shrubs and rare trees, around tiny islands and ponds and over intricate ironwork bridges. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for our two resident peacocks! All areas of the garden are accessible for wheelchair users.

Please note dogs are not permitted in the garden.

View the Swiss Garden page for details on what there is to explore.

Shuttleworth House: Open 11am - 3pm

Take a step back in time and visit some of the magnificent rooms inside the Victorian residence, built in 1875 for the Shuttleworth family. No booking required, come first served. Please note numbers may be restricted and masks must be worn inside unless you have an exemption.

To access the house, walk along the Shrubbery Walk, or catch the shuttle buggy which will run on a loop from the end of Hangar 6.

Children's Play Area: Open 10am - 5pm

The Play Area is suitable for children up to 12 years old but please note that dogs are not permitted inside the area.

Our Play area is sanitised on a daily basis and numbers will be limited to ensure social distancing.

Vintage Bus Rides

Enjoy a ride aboard one of our 1920’s Vintage Buses – the only surviving Charabus or the double decker! In the morning the bus will take you along the front of the hangars, and later in the day you will be able to take a longer journey to Shuttleworth House. No booking required. Bus stops in front of Hangar 1 / end of Hangar 6.

Pilot Chat: 1:30pm

Details on our pilot chat to follow.

Catering

Shuttleworth has many catering options open this air show season from Burgers to Ice Cream. Please see details below and remember we are a cash free site, accepting card payments only. Runway cafe: 

Located at the far end of the site, the Runway Café will be serving a wide variety of food and beverages. There will be a selection of wonderful fresh coffees from smooth Americano to frothy Cappuccino plus a great choice of Twining’s speciality tea. We have a variety of cold drink options including Coca Cola, Sprite, Fruit Shoot, Mineral Water and San Pellegrino Limonata. Enjoy our homemade sandwiches, free-range pork sausage rolls, traditional Cornish pasties and a beautiful selection of cakes to suit all appetites.

Refuelling Station
Formally the Shuttleworth Bar, the redesigned Refuelling Station now offers a selection of hot and cold beverages, sandwiches and snacks. Plus if you fancy a little tipple or two, we also have a selection of beers, ales, ciders and wines available.

The Flying Burger
Introducing The Flying Burger, newly designed especially for our air show guests. Offering a selection of four tasty burgers from Beef and Bone Marrow to Moroccan Chicken, all serve in a brioche bun with special sauces.

Coffee Pods
Our classic coffee pods offer a large selection of hot and cold drinks plus a good range of snacks and ice creams.

FLIGHTLINE TOURS

Get up close and personal with the aircraft on a Flightline Tour for just £10 per person, with a knowledgeable guide on hand to talk about the aircraft and answer your questions.

Tours are in small groups of four people and last for approx. 45 minutes.
Time slots available from 10:15 – 12:45.

Please check back here closer to the event to book your slot.

Experience an exhilerating introductory  flight experience in the beautiful 1940s T6 Harvard – “The Wacky Wabbit”. When you climb into the cockpit, you will be transported back to the 1940s as your senses experience the sight, sound and smell of this vintage Warbird.

T6 Harvard Aviation offer a limited number of flights at this air show prior to the flying display. Each flight lasts approximately 20 minutes.

Flight cost for one person: £399 Video is also available: £50

Please note that these experiences are part of the Air Show attractions, and you will still need to book an air show ticket and vehicle (or pedestrian) box in addition (see above).

To book, please visit the T6 Harvard Aviation by clicking on the link below – scroll down the page to select the date you wish to book for.

Harvard Introductory flights are operated by an external company, T6 Harvard Ltd. Please be sure to read their Terms & Conditions prior to booking.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR FLIGHT

 

 

Exhibitors and traders

Visiting Vehicles & Car Clubs

If you would like to be kept informed when we are able to re-instate a Period Paddock again (this will depend on Covid restrictions) or If you are a member of a Car Club and would like to make a bulk booking and reserve several car boxes in the same area, please contact our Air Show Manager.

Traders

There will be a number of outdoor stalls selling aviation related goods, books, models, clothing and gifts.

If you are a trader and would like to apply to trade at some or all of our Air Shows, we are now accepting applications.

Please note that all trade space is outdoors and you must provide your own stall.

Further details on prices and conditions are included on the form. For all other trader queries, please contact our Air Show Manager.