The Forties Experience

The Forties Experience A unique, hands on, WW2 living history attraction located in Bushey, Hertfordshire at the site of th The opening times are 10.30am until 4pm.

Our Open Days are on the last Sunday of the month (excluding December). Admission:
Adults: £6
Children (4-17): £4
Under 4s: Free
Concessions (Disabled, carers, seniors): £4
Period Dress/Uniform: £4
Family Ticket (2 Adults and 2 Children or 2 Seniors): £18

It's not just a museum - It's a living history experience! What was once the WW2 operational headquarters of the United States Air Force 8th Fi

ghter Command is today home to The 1940s Experience, a part of the Lincolnsfields Children's Centre, which is run by the Lincolnsfields Children's Charity. The 1940s Experience offers exciting, unique educational trips for both children and adults. For children and young people we offer two study opportunities under our Children at War Evacuees Experience programme. These are group day visits for schools and, uniquely in the UK, 3-day residential visits; which allow pupils to fully experience some of the realities of being a child during the Second World War. The adult and family programme centres around the regular Open Day events at the Centre on the last Sunday of every month (except December) and pre-booked private group visits for party bookings. There are lots of hands-on activities for the whole family to enjoy. We offer education, nostalgia and fun! Big or small, young or old we cater to all - whether you're looking for a trip down memory lane; to experience parents or grandparents stories of their life during the war; or to learn about an important part of our country's history in a fun, hands on way.

31/05/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our open day today. If you've enjoyed your visit, you can leave comments as a review on Facebook, Google or on TripAdvisor.

If you've taken any photos during your visit that you'd like to share, you can share them using

Our next open day will be on Sunday 28th of June 🙂

31/05/2026

We are now open for our May Open Day! If you're visiting us today and you'd like to share pictures from your visit, feel free to use 🙂

Frequently Asked Questions:Q. How do I book a ticket?A. There's no need to pre-book, you pay when you arrive on the day....
29/05/2026

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. How do I book a ticket?
A. There's no need to pre-book, you pay when you arrive on the day.

Q. Can I bring my dog?
A. No, we do not allow dogs on site (except for assistance dogs).

Q. When are you open?
A. Our public open days are on the last Sunday of the month, excluding December.

Q. Where are you?
A. We're in Bushey, in Hertfordshire.

Q. What time do you open?
A. On our open days, we open at 10.30am and we close at 4pm.

Q. How long does it take to visit?
A. We recommend taking 2 - 2.5 hours for a visit to be able to see everything but you're welcome to stay as long as you like until closing.

Q. How much is it to get in?
A. Adults - £6
Children (4-17) - £4
Under 4s - Free
Concessions (Disabled, carers, seniors) - £4
Period Dress / Uniforms - £4
Family (2 Adults and 2 Children or 2 seniors) - £18

Q. Is there anywhere to park?
A. We have a free car park on site for our visitors to use.

Q. Is there somewhere I can get something to eat?
A. Our NAAFI Café is in the green building opposite the main entrance and serves hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, snacks and cakes.

Q. Can I pay by card?
A. You're able to pay with either cash or card.

Q. Can I take photos during my visit?
A. Yes, feel free to take photos during your visit.

Q. Is the site wheelchair accessible?
A. Our site is wheelchair accessible, except for our jeep ride.

Q. Can I dress up in 1940s clothing?
A. You're welcome to come dressed in 1940s style if you choose to.

Explore a taste of wartime London in our London Blitz Experience. This is a guided walk through experience, lead by our ...
27/05/2026

Explore a taste of wartime London in our London Blitz Experience. This is a guided walk through experience, lead by our ARP warden, where you can learn about what life was like for people living in London during the Blitz.

Be warned though, this exhibit is dark - there was a blackout after all!

25/05/2026

Our friends at South West Herts Model Railway Society will have their clubhouse open again during our open day this Sunday where they'll have a couple of their layouts running for visitors to see. If you have an interest in model railways, are looking to get into the hobby or have any questions, feel free to pop in and say hello. You can find their clubhouse next to the NAAFI Café.

Why not pick up a little souvenir of your visit from our gift shop? We have a range of items from books and replica pack...
23/05/2026

Why not pick up a little souvenir of your visit from our gift shop? We have a range of items from books and replica packs to posters, keyrings and magnets.

Swingsters will be back for the second dance of their tea dance season in the dance hall during our open day this month....
20/05/2026

Swingsters will be back for the second dance of their tea dance season in the dance hall during our open day this month. *Please note, this is a separate event with an additional entrance fee*

Join the Swingsters for a lovely afternoon of social dancing from 2pm until 5pm in the dance hall. Admission to the tea dance is £10pp (to be paid at the entrance of the dance hall) and includes complimentary tea and cake. For more information please visit www.swingsters.co.uk or visit Swingsters on Facebook.

Pay a visit to our Military Museum and explore our collection of WWII artefacts, including displays on Women at War, arm...
18/05/2026

Pay a visit to our Military Museum and explore our collection of WWII artefacts, including displays on Women at War, army rations, GI brides, army nursing, Monte Camino, our SOE collection and much more.

01/01/2026

Happy New Year!

We look forward to welcoming you back from Sunday 26th April 2026!

Merry Christmas from all at The Forties Experience!
25/12/2025

Merry Christmas from all at The Forties Experience!

Address

The Lincolnsfield Children's Centre, Bushey Hall Drive
Bushey
WD232ES

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