About
The Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden Aerodrome in Bedfordshire is one of the world's finest and most unusual aviation and transport museums — a 'living' collection where many of the historic aircraft are maintained in airworthy condition and regularly flown at air shows held on the historic grass airfield. The combination of exceptional aircraft, a working aerodrome, and a beautiful Edwardian estate setting makes Shuttleworth unlike any other museum in Britain.
The collection was assembled by Richard Ormonde Shuttleworth (1909–1940), a passionate aviator and racing driver who bought and restored vintage aircraft from the earliest days of aviation. His tragic death in an aircraft accident in 1940 led to the establishment of the Shuttleworth Memorial Trust, which has continued his work ever since, acquiring additional aircraft and maintaining the collection in flying condition.
The aircraft collection spans the full history of aviation from the earliest pioneers to the Second World War, with exceptional examples including pre-1914 aeroplanes that represent the very birth of practical flight. The 1909 Bleriot XI — of the type that first crossed the English Channel — the Avro Triplane of 1910, and the Bristol Boxkite of 1910 are among the oldest flying aeroplanes in the world. These fragile, wood-and-fabric machines, still flown with extraordinary care by the collection's skilled pilots, offer an experience that no other museum can replicate — the sight and sound of the dawn of aviation at first hand.
Alongside the aircraft, the collection includes an exceptional range of vintage cars, motorcycles, and cycles from the Edwardian era, assembled by Richard Shuttleworth himself. These ground vehicles complement the aviation collection in telling the story of mechanical transport in its heroic early decades.
The airshows — held on selected Saturdays throughout the flying season from May to October — are among the most atmospheric events in the British heritage calendar, combining historic aircraft in flight with vintage car displays, trade stands, and the relaxed atmosphere of the Old Warden estate.
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Highlights
Pre-1914 Pioneer Aircraft — Still Flying
The Shuttleworth Collection holds one of the world's finest groups of pre-1914 aircraft, including the 1909 Bleriot XI — of the type that first crossed the English Channel — the 1910 Avro Triplane, and the Bristol Boxkite. Most remarkably, many of these pioneer types are maintained in airworthy condition and occasionally flown at shows, providing an experience available nowhere else in Britain.
Watching these fragile wood-and-fabric machines take to the air essentially unchanged from their original state connects observers directly with the Wright brothers' generation of pioneers and the birth of practical flight.
Airshows on the Historic Grass Airfield
The Shuttleworth Collection holds regular airshows throughout the flying season on the historic Old Warden grass aerodrome, providing the living element that distinguishes this from any static display. Watching First World War fighters, interwar biplanes, and Second World War aircraft fly from the same grass field in the Bedfordshire countryside — accompanied by period engine sounds and the smell of aviation fuel — creates historical immediacy of remarkable intensity.
The intimate scale of Old Warden and the proximity of spectators to the aircraft makes these events unlike any modern air display, offering an experience of aviation history at genuinely close quarters.
First World War Aircraft Collection
The collection's First World War aircraft are among the most significant in the world — original and carefully reproduced machines from the conflict that transformed aviation from a novelty into a decisive military weapon. Types including the Bristol F2B Fighter, Royal Aircraft Factory SE5a, and BE2 represent the British machines that fought over the Western Front, several maintained in airworthy condition and flown at shows.
All are displayed in a dedicated exhibition space placing them in the context of the air war of 1914–18 and the extraordinary pace of aircraft development that four years of urgent operational necessity forced.
Vintage Car and Motorcycle Collection
Alongside the aircraft, the collection holds Richard Shuttleworth's personal assembly of Edwardian and vintage cars and motorcycles spanning the 1890s to 1930s. These vehicles — including some of the rarest surviving examples from the dawn of motoring — reflect his parallel passion for ground transport and are preserved in running condition for occasional demonstration.
Displayed in estate garages of great period charm, the vehicles complement the aviation collection in narrating the mechanical revolution of the early 20th century, when the technologies that would transform the world were simultaneously being invented and refined.
Collections
Pioneer Aircraft Collection
The world's finest collection of pre-1914 pioneer aircraft, including types from the very birth of practical aviation, most maintained in airworthy condition and occasionally flown at shows.
First World War Aviation
Original and carefully reproduced First World War aircraft representing the types that fought in the skies over the Western Front, with several maintained in airworthy condition.
Vintage Car and Motorcycle Collection
Richard Shuttleworth's personal collection of Edwardian and vintage ground vehicles — cars and motorcycles from the 1890s to 1930s, preserved in running condition.
Current Exhibitions
No current exhibitions. Please check the museum website for updates.