Opening Times

Weekends and Bank Holidays 10am to 5pm, Easter to end October.

Open weekdays and evenings by special arrangemnt for groups of twelve or more.

What makes this a great venue for School group Fun or Educational Visits?

There are two museums, the Carpetbagger (Secret War) museum and the Northampton Aviation Society museum. The NAS museum deals with aspects of the Royal Air Force and life in wartime Britain.

The museums are situated in the Northamptonshire countryside and it would be possible to combine a nature ramble with a visit to the museum, provided you have plenty of time. There is a picnic area that is nice for eating a packed lunch in summer. If the weather is unkind you can use the combined canteen and gift shop.

What are the Curriculum Topics or Benefit to the students from a visit?

Schools generally visit the museums when the children are learning the history of the Second World War.

What are the activities?

A fifteen minute film showing how supplies were selected and packed and how, along with agents or Special Forces, they were parachuted into Occupied Europe. The film is followed by a quiz.

Children aged 7 to 10 years work in teams with a team leader, on what we call the Parachute Quiz. They have to look around the museum and identify those exhibits that have a tiny parachute stuck on them. The parachutes have a number printed on them that is entered on a check sheet. The team that identifies the most objects is the winner, and each member receives a certificate.

Children aged 11 years and above complete the Carpetbagger Quiz. (Carpetbagger was the code name of the covert operation.) This is a much harder quiz and is usually completed by each pupil individually, but we leave this choice to the teacher in charge of the group. Again, a certificate is awarded.

What is the age range of the activities?

Pupils of seven years and above.

What materials to you provide or suggest groups bring to support the visit?

We provide all materials, eg. pencils, clipboards and quiz sheets.

What are the minimum and maximum group sizes and the free Teacher Ratio?

The minimum group size is twelve, and to get the most out of a visit we suggest that groups are limited to a maximum of thirty. But we can accommodate larger groups.

Do you have or how do you arrange risk assessment?

We have a written risk assessment that has been compiled with the aid of local schools.

Do you offer Teacher familiarisation days?

We welcome visits by teachers.

What facilities are there for school groups for food and drink, shop etc?

There is a canteen that sells tea, coffee, soft drinks and snacks. The gift shop sells books and souvenirs.

Is specific clothing required?

No.

Do you have first aid on site?

There is always at least one trained first aider on site.

Are there any restrictions on photos, copyright etc?

No photography is allowed inside the museum.

Additional information.

Cost of admission for school groups is £2 for each child and accompanying adults. At least one and a half hours should be allowed for a visit. If groups are staggered, eg. one group arrives at 10am the second at 10.30am, then a little more time may be needed.

There are no complete aircraft on display, but many models.