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De Haviland Mosquito

De Haviland Mosquito

De Haviland Mosquito

De Haviland Mosquito

De Haviland Mosquito

De Haviland Mosquito

De Haviland Mosquito

De Haviland Mosquito

Great British Heritage

Reach for the Sky – Battle of Britain and Mosquito Tour

This expert-led Battle of Britain tour explores one of the most critical chapters in Britain’s aviation history, tracing the decisions, command centres and aircraft that helped secure victory in the skies.

At the RAF Museum Hendon, discover the machines and weapons used during the Battle of Britain, before enjoying a private evening visit to the de Havilland Aircraft Museum at Salisbury Hall, where the remarkable Mosquito was designed and first flew. See three examples of this legendary aircraft together in one place and enjoy a private dinner overlooking the Comet.

The tour also visits the Battle of Britain Bunker at Uxbridge, where Air Vice-Marshal Keith Park directed No. 11 Group, and Bentley Priory, the former headquarters of Fighter Command. Led throughout by aviation historians Dr Robert Owen and Guy Thomas, the tour combines expert talks, guided visits and the human stories behind Britain’s wartime aviation heritage.

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what’s included

At A Glance

  • The Travel Editions Experience
    Our tours are thoughtfully crafted and meticulously planned, with every destination, hotel, excursion and stop along the way having been selected to form a truly memorable experience.
  • Meals Included
    All breakfasts and two dinners.
  • Handpicked Accommodation
    Two nights accommodation at the four-star Comet Hotel, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room    .
  • Reach for the Sky with Travel Editions
    Explore Britain’s wartime aviation history on this two-night tour, tracing the Battle of Britain and the story of de Havilland’s remarkable Mosquito. Led by aviation historians Dr Rob Owen and Guy Thomas, highlights include the RAF Museum, Battle of Britain Bunker at Uxbridge, Bentley Priory and a private evening visit with dinner at the de Havilland Museum.
  • Tour Expert
    Accompanied byDr Rob Owen and Guy Thomas throughout the tour.
  • Talks & Tours
    All talks, guided tours and admissions as per the itinerary.
  • Transport
    Coach touring as per the itinerary.
Meet Your Expert Guide

Dr Robert Owen

Robert is an aviation historian, author and the official historian of the 617 Squadron Aircrew Association. His specialist knowledge spans the aircraft, operations and people of the Second World War, including the Dambusters, Bomber Command and the de Havilland Mosquito.

A popular Travel Editions guide and speaker, Robert combines detailed research with a strong sense of the human stories behind the history. His illustrated talks and expert commentary add depth to airfields, museums and memorial sites, making complex operations engaging for both dedicated enthusiasts and newcomers to the subject.

Meet Our Expert Guides
Meet Your Expert Guide

Guy Thomas

Guy Thomas is an aviation historian, writer and speaker with a lifelong interest in aviation heritage. He has published aeronautical articles and drawings and developed an Aviation & Auto Heritage website to share his knowledge of historic aircraft and vehicles.

Guy is Chairman of the East Hertfordshire Aviation Society and volunteers at the Royal Air Force Museum Hendon, where he leads guided tours of its collections. He also gives talks on a wide range of aviation subjects. His clear explanations and genuine enthusiasm bring aircraft, engineering and the human stories behind aviation history vividly to life for enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

Meet Our Expert Guides
itinerary & excursions

Your Itinerary

Explore this incredible tour in detail and discover what makes each day so special. Below, you’ll find a full day-by-day breakdown of your journey, from the moment you arrive to your final farewell. Learn more about the highlights you’ll experience, the unforgettable places you’ll visit, and the unique moments that bring each destination to life. Whether you’re drawn by rich history, stunning landscapes or unforgettable cultural encounters, this itinerary gives you everything you need to picture your adventure and look forward to every step of the way.

Plotting Room - RAF Battle of Britain Command Bunker

Day 1: Arrival independently the Comet Hotel, Hatfield and welcome talk

Arrive independently at the Comet Hotel, Hatfield from 15.00. This evening there will be a welcome reception, private dinner and illustrated talk by Dr Robert Owen – ‘The de Havilland Mosquito – The Wooden Wonder’.

Plotting Room - RAF Battle of Britain Command Bunker

Day 2: RAF Museum and the de Havilland Museum

Full day visit to the RAF Museum where you will have two tours with our expert guides, who will point out the machines and weapons used throughout history, during the Battle of Britain, and up to present day. You will then have time to view the museums extensive collection of aircraft spanning the history of the Royal Air Force.

Return to the hotel late afternoon, then a private evening visit to the de Havilland Museum at Salisbury Hall, where the Mosquito was designed and from where it first flew. See three examples of this classic aircraft together with others produced by this outstanding company, one of the pioneers of British aviation. We enjoy a dinner with wine and a talk from Guy Thomas.

Bentley Priory

Day 3: Battle of Britain Bunker and Bentley Priory

First visit of the day is to the Battle of Britain Bunker at Uxbridge (no lift available) for a guided tour where you will view the underground operations room from where Air Vice-Marshall Keith Park directed the No. 11 Group.

After time for lunch (own expense), travel on to the Former Headquarters of Fighter Command at Bentley Priory, Stanmore for a guided tour of parts of the main house including a reconstruction of the filter room and Air Chief Marshal Dowding’s office. The Bentley Priory Museum is a permanent living memorial to those who served in the Royal Air Force and fought in the Battle which acknowledges and recognises the sacrifices made by them and others to ensure the freedom of Europe and the World. Return to the hotel for approximately 17.15.

Please note: Please note that access to the Uxbridge Battle of Britain bunker is via 76 steps down (and back up), with no lift. For anyone not wanting to go into the bunker, there is a virtual video tour which can be viewed in the main exhibition area.

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HOTELS

Tour Accommodation

The Comet Hotel
This Art Deco style building is Hatfield’s most iconic, and is located just 3 minutes from J23 of the M25 and is also within easy reaching distance of the A1(M) and M1. The hotel has a restaurant and bar, with decor based on the period glamour of the original Comet Hotel which first opened in 1936. The hotel’s iconic and unusual shape is due to being original designed around the footprint of the de Havilland Comet DH.88 racing aeroplane. 
All rooms are modern with private bathroom facilities, TV, free Wi-Fi, hairdryer, telephone and air-conditioning/heating. Complimentary car parking is available at the hotel. 

Hotel Website

our regular tours

Mobility Information

This tour has a moderate fitness rating, reflecting a fuller itinerary with a good balance of visits, walking and time spent exploring on foot.
 
Some visits may involve cobbled streets, uneven paving, slopes, steps, stairs, limited seating, or walking from the coach drop-off point to the entrance of a site or attraction. The exact demands will vary from day to day, and we highlight specific practical details within the itinerary wherever possible.
 
You should feel comfortable walking at a steady group pace, standing during visits and enjoying a full day of sightseeing. If you are unsure whether this tour is right for you, please contact us before booking.

Mobility Information
Your questions answered

Tour FAQ

If you have a question, we are more than happy to answer it via email or phone, but you may find your answer below more quickly.

Simply complete our online booking form or give us a call on 020 7251 0045 between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday where you can speak to a real person. A 20% deposit per person is required at the time of booking, to book your place. Payments by debit card or credit card incur no charge. 

You must pay for the balance of your holiday at least 12 weeks before departure. Please note: no reminder for balance payments is sent to you and are not receipted unless requested. If you book your holiday within 12 weeks of departure, full payment is required at time of booking. Please note that some tours may require final payment to be paid earlier than 12 weeks, due to financial commitment with suppliers. The exact date will be notified to you at the time of booking. Final joining instructions and documentation will be dispatched approximately 10 days before travel.

In almost all cases, the price includes your accommodation, meals as described in the itinerary, all excursions shown in the programme, and travel arrangements from the UK. Excursions are taken by private coach exclusively for Travel Editions guests. If anything is ever excluded from the price, it will be clearly marked as optional and payable locally, you won’t find any hidden extras on your final bill. Travel Editions operates a firm no-surcharge policy, so the price you are quoted is the price you pay.

The specifics vary by tour and are set out in your individual itinerary, but most of our tours depart from London, either by Eurostar from St Pancras International or by air. For rail tours, we advise allowing at least one hour before the Eurostar departure when planning your journey to London. For flights, all costs are based on economy class unless otherwise stated, and all times shown are local time. For tours in the UK, these often start at the hotel in question.

Flight upgrades and connections from regional airports are available on request and subject to availability, contact us on 020 7251 0045 or at tours@traveleditions.co.uk for details. We strongly recommend not booking non-refundable connecting travel until you have received your final joining instructions, which are sent around 10 days before departure and confirm all timings and meeting points.

Yes, and you’re very welcome. Single room supplements apply on most tours, reflecting the fact that single and double rooms are generally priced similarly by hotels. If you would prefer to share with another solo traveller of the same gender, we are happy to arrange this, simply let us know at the time of booking. Sharing is subject to another traveller in the same situation being booked on the same tour.

Each tour is accompanied by a dedicated tour manager, who in most cases will travel out from the UK with the group. On some tours, the tour manager will meet you at your destination station or airport, with full details being confirmed in your joining instructions 10 days before travel. Many of our tours are also led by expert lecturers or specialist guides whose knowledge brings each destination to life; details of who will be accompanying your particular tour are included in the individual tour pages and itineraries.

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