Bentwaters Cold War Museum
About This Museum
Tucked away in one of the old hardened aircraft shelters on the former Bentwaters airbase, this museum doesn't just tell the story of the Cold War—it is the story. You're standing on the very spot where nuclear-armed F-101 Voodoos stood alert, a stone's throw from where that famous Rendlesham Forest UFO incident unfolded in 1980. It’s a deeply atmospheric place, run by passionate volunteers, many of whom served here when it was a bustling US Air Force stronghold. They've preserved the palpable tension and daily reality of life on the front line of a standoff that shaped the world.
Collection Highlights
You can walk right up to a colossal Douglas A-1 Skyraider, get up close with a nuclear bomb casing, and pore over declassified documents in the very rooms where they would have been used. The collection is full of personal touches, from a restored air traffic control radar scope to crew jackets and patches that bring the human element front and centre.
Visitor Information
It's only open on select days, so you'll want to check their website before making the trip. Wear sensible shoes because it's a proper hangar—it can be chilly and the floor is concrete. Chatting with the veterans on duty is all part of the experience; they've got the best stories you won't find on any plaque.
Architecture & Building
The museum is housed in Building 134, a classic Cold War-era reinforced concrete aircraft shelter. It's all stark, functional military architecture from the outside—a low, curved structure designed to withstand a blast—but inside it’s a vast, echoing space that feels frozen in time.
Contact & Location
Address: Bentwaters Cold War Museum, Thompson Drive, Bentwaters Parks, Rendlesham, East Suffolk, Suffolk, England, IP12 2TZ, United Kingdom
Website: Visit Website
