Museums & Galleries · Aldeburgh
Bentwaters Cold War Museum
📍 IP12 2TW
Photo: Alan Wilson (CC BY-SA 2.0), via Wikimedia Commons
- Restored war operations room and battle cabin
- Original decontamination showers and airlock on display
- Exhibition rooms on RAF Bentwaters and Woodbridge history
- Guided tours of the restoration hangar aircraft shelter
- American themed diner and museum shop on site
This museum occupies a former USAF hardened command post on the old Bentwaters airfield, with a restored war operations room, battle cabin, and original decontamination showers and airlock. Exhibition rooms trace the history of RAF Bentwaters and RAF Woodbridge from the Second World War through to the Cold War, including special operations squadrons and the Cobra Mist installation. You can also book a guided tour of the restoration hangar, an hour-long visit open to over 14s. There's a shop and American-themed diner on site for ticket holders. Based in Rendlesham, East Suffolk, with Wickham Market station two miles away, it makes a good addition to a stay in the area, where 16 bookable places are available within five miles.
Practical details
- Open
- 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month plus Bank Holiday Mondays, April to October
- Time needed
- Hangar tours last around an hour
- Booking
- Hangar tours booked on arrival, not pre-bookable, over 14s only
- Accessibility
- Diner and toilets only available to ticket holders
- Best for
- Over 14s for hangar tours; groups by arrangement for 30+
From the attraction's own website on 24 Oct 2026 — check before you travel.
Facilities
- ✓ Bar
- ✓ Cafe
- ✓ Gift Shop
- ✓ Guided Tours
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Make a proper break of it — these stays are all within 25 miles.
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🗓️ Make a break of it
Turn a visit to Bentwaters Cold War Museum into a proper getaway — ready-made plans, and the drive worked out with fuel, EV charging and the best stops.
🚆 Or come by train
- Wickham Market 2 miles
- Melton 4.4 miles
- Woodbridge 5.6 miles
Straight-line distances · live departures on each station page