RAF Museum Midlands at Cosford rated among the UK's best museums

The RAF Museum Midlands at Cosford, near Shifnal, has had a remarkable run of recognition in 2026. In April the museum was named a Which? Recommended Provider in the Best Museums and Galleries in the UK category, with a score of 93 per cent that made it the joint top rated museum in the country.

Which? members praised exhibitions that lived up to expectations, excellent value for money, top marks for staff, and the uncrowded feel of its vast hangars and outdoor areas. The quality of information for visitors and the museum's cafe were also highly commended.

In its write-up, Which? said that if you ask an RAF veteran, they will tell you Cosford is the best aircraft museum in the nation. Visitors can see Vulcan, Victor and Valiant V-bombers suspended from the ceiling of one hangar and the supersonic BAC TSR-2 prototype.

In June came a Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Award, placing the museum among the top 10 per cent of attractions worldwide based on a year of visitor reviews. Barry Smith, the museum's director of commercial and visitor services, said the recognition reflected the commitment of staff and volunteers to delivering memorable and inspiring experiences every day.

The same awards scheme also recognised the museum's sister site, the RAF Museum London, while Which? gave the London museum the joint highest visitor score of any museum or gallery in the capital. For Shropshire, though, the headline is that one of the best rated museums in the country sits just off the M54.

There is more to come. Hangar 1 is currently closed as part of the museum's Inspiring Everyone: Midlands Development Programme and is due to reopen in summer 2027 with a brand new exhibition, thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Families can still enjoy the Virtual Reality Zone, where Which? noted children can loop the loop in the pilot's seat of a Spitfire.

Entry is free and the museum is open daily from 10am. It is close to junction 3 of the M54 and about a ten minute walk from Cosford railway station.

RAF Museum Midlands is on Lysander Avenue, Cosford, TF11 8UP. Booking in advance is recommended at rafmuseum.org/midlands.