All you need to know for your day out
Visit
FRIDAY 13TH, SATURDAY 14TH & SUNDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER - ACCESS TO SITE
The Collection, Swiss Garden, Playground, Shop and Paddocks will be closed to members of the public. Access to site for the 3 days is only with a valid Bedfordshire Steam and Country Fayre event ticket.
Hill Lane (SG18 9EJ) = BEDS STEAM & COUNTRY FAYRE PUBLIC ENTRANCE
ALDER DRIVE (B658 – SG18 9DT) = EXHIBITOR ACCESS ONLY
You may be stopped by staff/security or asked to turn around if you are at the wrong entrance.
Opening times
Buy your general admission ticket online and it will be valid for 30 days (excluding events).
Winter Opening Hours
30th October 2023 – 11th Feb 2024
10.00 – 16.00
Last entry is at 15:30
Summer Opening Hours
12th Feb 2024 – 29th Oct 2024
10.00 – 17.00
Last entry is at 16:30
Closed
24th Dec 2024 - 1st Jan 2025
Re-Opens 2nd Jan 2025
Admission
Our online daily admission ticket can be used multiple times for up to 30 days.
Not valid on air shows and events: see Terms and Conditions
Your daily admission ticket gives you access to explore almost 60 acres of Shuttleworth, including the famous Shuttleworth Collection, the beautiful Swiss Garden, the Woodland Walk and the children’s playground.
GROUPS
Our groups visit’s are designed for 15+ visitors. We have 3 main packages as well as our car and motorcycle club packages.
For more information click here.
Daily admission prices
Adults £15.50*
Concession (Over 60 years, Military & Students) £14.00*
Children FREE
Essential carers FREE
*30 Day return ticket
Complimentary admission with a valid membership card
Shuttleworth Veteran Aeroplane Society (SVAS)
Friends of the Swiss Garden
Old Warden Model Aircraft Club
Aircraft Enthusiasts Group (WEDNESDAY meetings only)
Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) every MONDAY & THURSDAY
Gardeners World 2-4-1
Getting here by car
Feel free to use both of our entrances. For Hill Lane, please use the postcode – SG18 9EP and for Alder Drive – SG18 9DT
We are two miles due west of the A1 at Biggleswade, approx 20 miles from J13 on M1.
Address
Shuttleworth
Alder Drive
Biggleswade
Bedfordshire
SG18 9EA
SatNav USE SG18 9DT
Getting here by bike, foot, bus or air
Enjoy the beautiful Bedfordshire countryside, known as Greensand Country, and get here by bike or on foot.
By bike or on foot
Numerous footpaths and bridleways connect Shuttleworth to stunning walks and rides. Visit the Greensand Country website to find our more things to do in our local area
By air
We have our own runway! To fly into Shuttleworth you must PPR – here are all the details.
By rail
Nearest railway stations
Biggleswade 3 miles
+ 10 min taxi ride or 45 – 60 min walk
Bedford Station 9.5 miles
+ 20 mins taxi ride
Facilities
We have everything you need for a great day out
Our visitors tend to stay for most of the day, so we have great facilities to make sure you are comfortable throughout your visit. If there's anything you need, just ask one of our friendly staff.
Catering
While visiting Shuttleworth, why not head down to the Runway Café where we have an ever changing, seasonal menu. We pride ourselves on using local suppliers and we cook our food fresh to order. We also have daily specials, a wide variety of cakes and pastries and of course, deliciously fresh coffee! On busy summer days, look out for our catering pods and bars, which are located in various locations across the site where you can buy small snacks and even more coffee!
Our current Summer & Air Show menu can be found here
If you have any questions, or would like to arrange something a little more bespoke; please feel free to email catering@shuttleworth.org
Gift Shop
Our Shuttleworth Shop stocks an exciting range of gifts, books and mementos including our popular Shuttleworth branded clothing.
You can email shop@shuttleworth.org to order calendars and Shuttleworth merchandise.
Trails
Throughout the year trails are available to make your visit to Shuttleworth even more interesting.
Pick up paper copies of trails at the admissions hut or download the latest trails below:
Swiss Garden Beautiful Butterflies Trail
The Collection Marvellous Moths Trail
Jubilee Playground
A Shuttleworth gem and a local tradition, the outdoor playground at Shuttleworth is huge, secure, and offers a wide range of play equipment for all ages.
Accommodation & Camping
Accommodation
Our guest accommodation at Shuttleworth House: Garden Suite is warm and inviting with charming views across Old Warden Park…
The Garden Suite
Adjoining the main House, our Garden Suite is a short distance away with rooms offering unique views across the parkland bringing you and your guests close the the stunning natural landscape surrounding the venue.
The Princess Charlotte von Croy Flat
Named after Patron of the Trust, this one-of-a-kind self-contained apartment is as unique as any area of Shuttleworth House.
Camping
Available on air show and model air dates…
Also introducing BRAND NEW open campsite dates in August 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the things people ask about most often. If you still can't find the answer, please give our enquiries line a call on 01767 627927.
Parking
The parking areas are located in the centre of our 60 acre site. Limited parking is available throughout the winter months on our hardstanding, with parking increased on our grass paddocks throughout the summer season.
Given that you can start your journey with us anywhere on the site, our helpful team will endeavour to park you as close as possible.
Did you know? – Cars were Richard Shuttleworth’s first passion and he raced the latest models all around the world, but came home to restore his ‘old crocs’ – the Edwardian cars that are still in the Collection today.
Dogs
We welcome well-behaved dogs on leads in the airfield paddocks and parkland and Discovery Hub.
Dogs are not permitted indoors in the Hangars, Café or House.
Dogs are not permitted outdoors in the Swiss Garden or playground
Assistance dogs are permitted everywhere
Please note that there is no shade in our parking areas.
The Shuttleworth family adored dogs. You’ll find many of their favourites captured in portraits in the House, and don’t miss the Dog Cemetery in the Swiss Garden.
30 day tickets
The 30 day tickets are valid for 30 days from the date of booking.
You can use them as much as you like during that 30 days.
Your ticket will be scanned when you return. You cannot transfer your ticket to someone else.
You do not have to use your ticket for the day you’ve booked it. If your plans change, you can just use it whenever it suits you within that 30 day period. However, your 30 days starts from the date it was booked for, not the date of first use.
You cannot use your ticket on event days when the whole site is in use, such as air shows. There are two air show days per month. Check out our Events page here.
Wheelchairs
We have three wheelchairs available free to use.
On busy days, such as weekends and school holidays, it is advisable to book your wheelchair in advance.
Call our Enquiries line on 01767 627933
Weather closures
Our gardens and walks can be very sensitive to extremes of weather and many of our trees are stressed by climate change. To keep everyone safe, we close our Woodland Walk in high winds and the Shuttleworth Swiss Garden is closed in gale force winds (force 8 and above)
Visiting the House
Shuttleworth House is predominantly a bustling weddings and events venue with a dedicated full time team looking after operations.
On select days throughout year we open the doors for all to explore the grand rooms of the Shuttleworth family’s former home!
We’re excited to announce the House will be open to the public on the following dates this year and next:
Summer Fete – Saturday 27th July
October Half Term – 27th – 30th October
Also keep an eye on our air show pages for more info on House opening times for air show season 2024!
Flying In / PPR Booking
If you are flying in to visit us please ensure that you have filled out the form via the PPR Booking page.
Accessibility
We have plenty of open space, flat areas and ramps in the hangars. Drop a line to us if you'd like to book a wheelchair. Our large site has a central parking location, so there is always a bit of a walk to get to all our key attractions. Please make our team aware of your specific needs on arrival. Given that you can start your journey with us anywhere on the 60 acre site, our helpful team will endeavour to park you as close as possible. See our different area's accessibility below:
The Swiss Garden
The nine acre Swiss Garden has accessible paths throughout thanks to investment from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. There are seats throughout the Garden. There is a dedicated toilet block. Assistance dogs are permitted in the Garden.
Shuttleworth Collection
The Collection hangars have ramps throughout as well a generous sprinkling of seating. The hangar doors are kept open except in very inclement weather so it’s easy to get in and out. There are toilets, including an accessible toilet, in a central block midway through the hangars.
The Visitor Centre
Our warm and spacious visitor centre offers seating and toilets. Assistance dogs are permitted and there is a hearing loop within the Discovery Hub event space.
Shuttleworth House
Access to Shuttleworth House is via 6 steps (without handrails). Due to the listed status of the building we are unable to install handrails.
Please note Shuttleworth House is open on select days only.
Some feedback from our guests
Surpassed our expectations
My husband and I visited yesterday morning and the whole process surpassed our expectations. We thought everything was very well thought out, with plenty of parking space and nowhere did we feel crowded. We thought the catering especially noteworthy as we could see how clean everything was being kept.
A lovely day out
A beautiful day and stunning gardens and an interesting collection. Staff are friendly and helpful, the site is vast and it’s easy to spend a day there.
So welcoming
The staff on duty were all pleasant and helpful, there were plenty of toilets and I’ve never seen so much hand sanitiser. It was an added bonus that some of the aircraft were practising for a forthcoming display.
I think the way you have things set up puts a lot of much larger organisations to shame. Well done!