A calendar of themed flying days (Season Premiere, Festival of Flight, Military, Flying Proms, and more). Each has its own date — check shuttleworth.org.
Dates, venue and tickets
| When | Season: typically May–October |
|---|---|
| Where | Old Warden, Bedfordshire |
| Adult ticket | from £37 |
| Official site | shuttleworth.org/events |
About Shuttleworth Air Shows
Richard Shuttleworth began collecting in 1928, starting with an 1898 Panhard car. He was killed in 1940, aged 31, flying a Fairey Battle on a training flight. In 1944 his mother, Dorothy, set up the Richard Ormonde Shuttleworth Remembrance Trust. The Collection opened to the public in 1963 and staged its first air show in 1964.
The Collection keeps its aircraft flying, as its founder intended. Its fleet runs from 1909 to the 1950s and flies from Old Warden’s grass runway. It includes a 1909 Blériot XI, the 1912 Blackburn Type D and the DH.88 Comet that won the 1934 England–Australia race. The Flying Proms pairs evening flying with live music.
What to expect
- Collection aircraft from 1909 to the 1950s, joined by visiting aircraft.
- Each show has a theme, from the Military Air Show to Wings & Wheels and the Flying Proms.
- Appearances depend on weather and serviceability, as with any vintage fleet.
- Under-18s go free (conditions apply); early-bird tickets are limited.
Getting there
- On event days, use the Alder Drive entrance, postcode SG18 9DT.
- Biggleswade station is about 3 miles away, roughly 10 minutes by taxi.
- Bedford station is 9.5 miles away, about 20 minutes by taxi.
Frequently asked
When are the Shuttleworth air shows in 2027?
Seven shows: Season Premiere 9 May, Military 29 May and Festival of Flight 26–27 June. Then Summer 24 July, Wings & Wheels 14 August, Flying Proms 28 August and Season Finale 25 September.
Can I use a normal day ticket on an air show day?
No. Daily admission is not valid on air show or event days. Each show has its own tickets.
Do children pay at Shuttleworth air shows?
Under-18s go free, subject to conditions shown on the event page.
- https://www.shuttleworth.org/about/about-shuttleworth/air-shows
- https://www.shuttleworth.org/events/
- https://www.shuttleworth.org/about/about-shuttleworth/our-history
- https://www.shuttleworth.org/visit/before-you-visit/getting-here
- https://www.shuttleworth.org/visit/before-you-visit/tickets-prices
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shuttleworth_Collection