FAST Museum (Farnborough Air Sciences Trust)

Aerial view of museum with jets and helicopter.

The FAST Museum is unique in the country as it is the only aviation museum dedicated to air sciences – the development of aviation technology at Farnborough over 100 years.

The museum tells the story of British aviation history from A-Z, starting with airships, balloons and kites through to Concorde, space vehicles and Zephyr, the world record-breaking solar-powered unmanned aircraft which can stay in the air for weeks.

There is a full-size replica of British Army Aeroplane No 1A, the first successful piloted, powered aircraft to fly in the country in October 1908. The story of Samuel Cody, its builder and first pilot to fly in Great Britain, is told in displays.

There are also many classic jets from the Lightning to a Harrier, and the first stage of Black Arrow, the first British satellite launcher.

The museum has a coffee lounge, picnic area and shop selling an extensive range of books, models and souvenirs.

Thanks to FAST Museum for supplying photos and text.

Address

FAST Museum, Trenchard House, 85 Farnborough Road, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6TF

Directions from Chertsey Museum

To drive from Chertsey Museum to the FAST Museum, you will travel approximately 19.4 miles heading generally southwest. The journey begins by leaving Chertsey town centre and joining the M3 motorway at Junction 11 (Chertsey) or nearby Sunbury Cross, continuing for roughly 13 miles before exiting at Junction 4 (Camberley/Farnborough). From there, you follow the A331 (Blackwater Valley Route) and then the A325 toward Farnborough to reach the museum. Delays are most frequent at the Sunbury Cross interchange, the M3 Junction 3 (Lightwater) bottleneck, and around the Farnborough Gate retail area, especially during morning and evening rush hours.

Useful Links

Farnborough Air Sciences Trust (Opens in new window) Serves as a comprehensive guide for visitors planning to explore Britain’s aviation heritage. According to the site, visitors can access the following:

Interactive Exhibits & Simulators
The Aircraft Collection A detailed directory of historical aircraft on display.
The Cody Pavilion: Dedicated details on the full-scale replica of the Cody Flyer (the first aircraft to achieve powered flight in the UK) and early man-carrying kites.
Scientific & Engineering Displays
Guided Tours
Historical Architecture: Background on Trenchard House, the museum’s Grade II listed home.
Visitor Logistics: Essential practical information, including opening hours (typically weekends), admission details, accessibility guides, and directions.
On-Site Amenities
Events & Archives

Facebook: Farnborough Air Sciences Trust (Opens in new window) Provides visitors with an immersive look at British aviation history through a collection of historic aircraft, flight simulators, and scientific exhibits housed in original research buildings.

Instagram: Farnborough Air Sciences Trust (Opens in new window) Offers a visual gallery of the museum's aircraft collection and historic wind tunnels, featuring visitor photos and updates on special events like the Centrifuge tours.

Previous Stop: Chertsey Museum Housed in a beautiful Regency townhouse, Chertsey Museum offers a fascinating look at the local history of Runnymede and features the nationally significant Olive Matthews Collection of historical dress and textiles.

Next Stop: Ascot Racecourse Stands as a world-renowned destination for elite horse racing, blending over three centuries of royal heritage with the unparalleled prestige and high-fashion spectacle of the annual Royal Ascot meeting.