Bentley Priory Museum
Bentley Priory Museum
Bentley Priory Museum
4.7
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
Closed
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
Closed
About
Bentley Priory Museum, previously RAF Headquarters Fighter Command, is a site of national historical importance and from where the Battle of Britain was won. We are a small private charitable trust ensuring that the legacy of 'The One, The Few and The Many' is not lost; but appreciated, celebrated and commemorated for many years to come. Throughout the year we welcome individuals, groups, schools and corporate organisations to come and explore the splendour of this amazing Sir John Soane extended property, which has hints of Italian grandeur and where many Second World War and Cold War secrets were hidden within.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.7
218 reviews
Excellent
177
Very good
31
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1 contribution
Feb 2025 • Family
Bentley Priory Museum is a gem almost hidden in the heart of Bushey Heath, surrounded by beautiful buildings and well groomed beautiful gardens
The vista gives one the feeling of being in the countryside .
The history of this historic museum which was the most important and secret military institution which coordinated the British fighter command in World War Two. It was there that theBattle of Britains defence was planned and won the security of Britain
The staff many of whom are volunteers were extremely helpful and friendly and knowledgeable
The lecture given by Bruce was extremely interesting and entertaining
Bruce was so friendly and interacted with us, giving us insight as to why we won the Battle of Britain
His lecture was longer than was scheduled, as he was so interesting and answered all our questions
He was very entertaining and very informative
The restaurant was clean and the staff, very friendly
The food was excellent and very affordable
Activities for my grandchildren were excellent and staff again very helpful and friendly
It’s very affordable and worthwhile day out
I certainly will visit it again and wil purchase an annual membership, which allows unlimited entrance
Children four years and younger are free
It’ has many lectures about its incredible past and school visits
A great day out for the family
The vista gives one the feeling of being in the countryside .
The history of this historic museum which was the most important and secret military institution which coordinated the British fighter command in World War Two. It was there that theBattle of Britains defence was planned and won the security of Britain
The staff many of whom are volunteers were extremely helpful and friendly and knowledgeable
The lecture given by Bruce was extremely interesting and entertaining
Bruce was so friendly and interacted with us, giving us insight as to why we won the Battle of Britain
His lecture was longer than was scheduled, as he was so interesting and answered all our questions
He was very entertaining and very informative
The restaurant was clean and the staff, very friendly
The food was excellent and very affordable
Activities for my grandchildren were excellent and staff again very helpful and friendly
It’s very affordable and worthwhile day out
I certainly will visit it again and wil purchase an annual membership, which allows unlimited entrance
Children four years and younger are free
It’ has many lectures about its incredible past and school visits
A great day out for the family
Written 19 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheColonelKentucky
Kentucky4 contributions
Dec 2024 • Couples
The exhibits are very professionally designed and created. The guides and docents bring personal passion to their engagements with visitors.
The facility has changed over the years so you don’t see the space as it was used, but it’s a must-see for someone interested in the Battle of Britain.
The facility has changed over the years so you don’t see the space as it was used, but it’s a must-see for someone interested in the Battle of Britain.
Written 5 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ladybird1000
24 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
Excellent visit on a quiet August weekend. The museum was well laid out and curated, with a variety of exhibitions, including short films and interactive displays. The volunteers are brilliant - hugely knowledgable and really added something special to our visit. The building and gardens are beautifully maintained providing stunning views towards Harrow. Highly recommended.
Written 4 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John F
Buckinghamshire, UK516 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
Rather a special museum. The approach to the house is very impressive, and the house itself looks beautiful - both inside and out. A small fortune must have been spent to get everything looking this good.
The film, as other reviews suggest, is a good place to start. For a change, the cafe is not a rip off. The whole place is run by mature volunteers who are as charming as they are knowledgeable.
Can't believe we haven't been before - we've lived nearby for many years. Definitely worth a visit - and the entry fee is worth every penny.
The film, as other reviews suggest, is a good place to start. For a change, the cafe is not a rip off. The whole place is run by mature volunteers who are as charming as they are knowledgeable.
Can't believe we haven't been before - we've lived nearby for many years. Definitely worth a visit - and the entry fee is worth every penny.
Written 16 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pleassy
Abbots Langley, UK37 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
My family has historic connections with the priory so when arranging a special family birthday we discovered we could arrange to hire one of the rooms.
The setting was fabulous, the day a huge success and cannot say enough about the staff and volunteers of the museum. Nothing was too much trouble and even though they didn’t have a lot of experience with this type of function adapted to the needs of small babies to 90 year olds
Big pat on the back to everyone
The setting was fabulous, the day a huge success and cannot say enough about the staff and volunteers of the museum. Nothing was too much trouble and even though they didn’t have a lot of experience with this type of function adapted to the needs of small babies to 90 year olds
Big pat on the back to everyone
Written 2 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ian Brown
Peebles, UK10 contributions
Jan 2025 • Solo
I first visited in 2014 and gave a one-star review. I am happy to say my opinion has been completely turned around. The interpretation is excellent with lots of touchscreens providing layering of information. There are wonderful original objects on display and a superb introductory film. I struggled to find the entrance in 2014, but it is very well signed now and the whole experience was tremendous. The volunteer guides were incredibly welcoming and friendly and I can't praise my experience too highly. Visit soon and often: you won't regret it.
Written 15 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Simon T
1 contribution
Jul 2024 • Solo
This review is aimed more at the volunteers than the museum itself.
I've visited the museum before and was stationed there in the 80's.
Was walking around the grounds and needed the toilet.
Popped in to the museum and politely asked if I could use toilet... was told only if you buy a ticket for the museum... I thought £8 just to have a pee was a bit steep and so unfortunately had to use the bushes outside.
I've visited the museum before and was stationed there in the 80's.
Was walking around the grounds and needed the toilet.
Popped in to the museum and politely asked if I could use toilet... was told only if you buy a ticket for the museum... I thought £8 just to have a pee was a bit steep and so unfortunately had to use the bushes outside.
Written 20 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mina
London, UK2 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Brilliant museum, reasonably priced with free parking and a lovely tea room. The exhibit rooms were great - particularly the war planning room.
The Oliver Dowding video is a good place to start to get some context on the Battle of Britain, we loved watching that and understanding more around the human aspect of the BoB.
The guides are passionate and super-knowledgable. My daughter is studying WW2 at school and our guide made sure to point out lots of interesting facts he thought might be useful to her.
We spend around 3-4h in here in total, it was very quiet both in terms of noise and number of people and so gave us a great chance to review everything in detail.
There are interactive elements throughout so 11 year old was also interested throughout. I would highly recommend.
The Oliver Dowding video is a good place to start to get some context on the Battle of Britain, we loved watching that and understanding more around the human aspect of the BoB.
The guides are passionate and super-knowledgable. My daughter is studying WW2 at school and our guide made sure to point out lots of interesting facts he thought might be useful to her.
We spend around 3-4h in here in total, it was very quiet both in terms of noise and number of people and so gave us a great chance to review everything in detail.
There are interactive elements throughout so 11 year old was also interested throughout. I would highly recommend.
Written 5 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sheila B
Hatfield, UK8 contributions
May 2022
Went with a U3A group who had arranged a tea/coffee on arrival and lunch in the cafe, plus a free, group guided tour of the house. The house is impressive with a beautiful view, at the rear, from the terrace garden over towards Harrow on the Hill.
The guided tour was undertaken by a very knowledgeable gentleman, who guided us through the many roomed house and through it's history, both prior to WW2 and through to it's current place today. A very intelligent and atmospheric film was part of the tour, showing the enormous contribution of Air Marshall Dowding, head of the RAF, to the WW2 effort and the part his plans took in helping to secure victory for our forces.
The lunch, as we were lucky enough to have good weather, was taken on the cafe terrace - pre arranged , it arrived promptly by friendly staff. All the staff were friendly, there is a gift shop and the cafe also sells gifts which are displayed on a back wall. The Yorvale icecream sold there is very good and tasty.
In all, a very good day and I shall definitely recommend this place to friends and family. I shall also return again to wander slowly and browse the exhibits in the house.
They also accommodate school trips, very important, 'Lest we forget' the contribution this house and the men and women who worked there, made to ensure our country's continued freedom.
The guided tour was undertaken by a very knowledgeable gentleman, who guided us through the many roomed house and through it's history, both prior to WW2 and through to it's current place today. A very intelligent and atmospheric film was part of the tour, showing the enormous contribution of Air Marshall Dowding, head of the RAF, to the WW2 effort and the part his plans took in helping to secure victory for our forces.
The lunch, as we were lucky enough to have good weather, was taken on the cafe terrace - pre arranged , it arrived promptly by friendly staff. All the staff were friendly, there is a gift shop and the cafe also sells gifts which are displayed on a back wall. The Yorvale icecream sold there is very good and tasty.
In all, a very good day and I shall definitely recommend this place to friends and family. I shall also return again to wander slowly and browse the exhibits in the house.
They also accommodate school trips, very important, 'Lest we forget' the contribution this house and the men and women who worked there, made to ensure our country's continued freedom.
Written 7 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
madmalc2018
Orpington, UK57 contributions
Oct 2021 • Friends
A group of us 16 people visited Bentley Priory and from the beginning of our visit to the moment we left the people at the Priory were so efficient friendly but professional. On arrival we were greeted at the door and given our entrance badges by a very friendly lady who pointed out the cafe and toilets.As we had about 20 minutes before our guided tour we all decided to get a drink. Again the service here was excellent. Our guide then introduced himself to us and we began our one hour tour. Our guide was Bruce who was very informative and interesting and was quite happy to answer questions.It was so good the hour seemed to just fly by
All aspects and the history of the place and building were so good. There is also a 10 minute film the Italian gardens and a life size model of the Spitfire and Hurricane out on the green.We spent about three and a half hours there and that worked out just about right. A very good history lesson indeed. Thank you all at Bentley Priory.
All aspects and the history of the place and building were so good. There is also a 10 minute film the Italian gardens and a life size model of the Spitfire and Hurricane out on the green.We spent about three and a half hours there and that worked out just about right. A very good history lesson indeed. Thank you all at Bentley Priory.
Written 17 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
You can access the museum and nformal garden and there is a short walk to the museum from the car park past the replica aircraft but the wider grounds are private and you will have to respect the residents' property so will not be able to walk around the wider estate I think.
Written 25 August 2023
March – September: 10am-5pm (Last admission at 4pm)
October – February: 10am-4pm (Last admission at 3pm)
Opening Days:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
Written 30 September 2018
Would a 2 or 3 year old be entertained?
Is it buggy friendly?
Written 28 October 2017
learningofficer
Stanmore, United Kingdom
Hi Ali0818, thank you for your question. We are totally buggy accessible as well as wheelchair accessible and yes, there is a life down the the cafe.
We have trails for the little ones and their guardians to follow and also a story corner with age appropriate books. Our ballroom exhibits and replica spitfire are all hands on for all ages too!
If you want to bring your little one to a beautiful place, have a little wander around and just absorb the atmosphere, eat some cake and have a drink and take some time out, then Bentley Priory is a great Museum and we do have may young visitors.
We hope you will come and see for yourself, enjoy.
Written 8 November 2017
learningofficer
Stanmore, United Kingdom
Hi Vivienne,
Bentley Priory Museum is open Monday's Wednesday's Friday's and Saturday's 10- 5pm (summer hours)
Please see our website for more information call us on 020 8950 5526
We look forward to welcoming you.
Written 9 August 2017
•Adults: £9
•Over 60/Student/On Benefits: £7
•Serving HM Forces/HM Forces Veteran: £5
•Children, aged 6-16: £5
•Children, ages 0-5: Free
•Family Ticket (2 adults, up to 3 children): £25
•Museums Association Member: £5
Written 12 April 2016
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