Visit the Vulcan Day

See former Royal Air Force bomber Avro Vulcan XL426 up close in its hangar at our final Visit the Vulcan Day of 2026.

Alongside the Vulcan, there will be examples of the weapons its carried during its time with the Royal Air Force, including the type of 1,000 lb high explosive bomb the Vulcan force used against Port Stanley airfield during the 1982 Falklands Conflict.

Displays and exhibitors will include a preserved Westland Scout helicopter and 25 cars from the Caterham Car Club.

There will be a display of historic and modern fire engines from London Southend Airport, the Rochford Fire Service and the 240FLM Preservation Group, with its historic 1964 AEC Mercury fire engine complete with its 100 foot Merryweather turntable and ladder. The fire engine served with great distinction with the London Fire Brigade and has been restored by the 240 FLM Preservation Group, who will be showing visitors around this amazing vehicle.

The display arena will also feature a selection of historic British Army military vehicles and displays from the Shoeburyness & South Essex Royal Artillery Association, the 10th Essex Living History Group, the Norfolk Great War Living History Group and the Southend Radio Controlled Model Flying Club.

Characters from UK Garrison (Star Wars) and Marvel - DC Comic re-enactors will be patrolling the hangar and arena to ensure everyone is well behaved! Watts Children’s Face Painters will be decorating our younger visitors..

The Essex Yeomanry Brass Band will be providing musical entertainment throughout the day.

Refreshments will be on sale including hot food from Biltong Burgers. There will be a licensed bar courtesy of the Datum Attitude Brewery and there will also be an ice cream and doughnut kiosk.

Our Hangar Shop will be selling a selection of Vulcan souvenirs, including models, badges, patches, books and much more.

General admission is £10.00 for adults with under-16s admitted FREE. Tickets will be on sale on the gate and are also available to buy in advance should you wish. There is no need to buy advance tickets for under-16s.

Cockpit visits are an additional £8.00 per person applicable to both adults and under-16s.

Cockpit visits will take place every 15 minutes on a timed ticket basis, so there will be no need to stand and queue. Cockpit visit tickets are subject to availability and will only be on sale on the day. When they’re gone, they’re gone!

Children must be over 1 metre tall to visit the cockpit and must climb the entry ladder themselves (no carrying).

Entry and cockpit tours are free for Vulcan Restoration Trust members subject to presenting a valid VRT membership card.

Gates open at 10.00 am with last admission at 4.00 pm.

Visitors can arrive by bus or train. London Southend Airport station is approximately 15-20 minutes' walk away and is served by frequent trains on the London Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria line.

Limited free car parking will be available close to the Vulcan. Please follow the ‘Vulcan Open Day’ direction signs after entering the airport. If the Vulcan car park is full, visitors will need to park in the airport’s short stay car park (for which there is a charge) which is approximately 10 minutes' walk from the Vulcan.

We have a disabled car park situated next to the event entrance. On arrival, please let our car park volunteers know that you require disabled parking and they will direct you towards the disabled car park.

Sorry – due to airport rules, we regret that no pets can be admitted with the exception of assistance dogs.

This is a fundraising event organised to benefit the Vulcan Restoration Trust.

We look forward to seeing you at our Visit the Vulcan Day.

Click to buy your tickets here.