Battle of Britain Memorial - Folkestone

The Battle of Britain Memorial – A Tribute to Courage

The Battle of Britain Memorial stands as a poignant and significant landmark dedicated to commemorating the extraordinary events of the Battle of Britain in 1940. Located in Capel-le-Ferne, Folkestone, this memorial offers a deeply moving experience for visitors of all backgrounds, serving as a reminder of the bravery and sacrifice displayed by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and its Polish Allies during World War II.

Address: New Dover Rd, Capel-le-Ferne, Folkestone CT18 7JJ, United Kingdom
Phone: 1303249292
Website: battleofbritainmemorial.org

Specialties: Memorial, Cafe, Non-profit organization, Tourist attraction

Other points of interest: On-site services, Wheelchair-accessible car park, Wheelchair-accessible entrance, Paid parking lot.

A Historical Landmark by the Sea

The memorial’s location along the picturesque coastline of Folkestone provides a stunning backdrop for reflection and remembrance. The site itself is meticulously maintained, offering a tranquil setting for visitors to contemplate the history and significance of the Battle of Britain. The surrounding area provides ample opportunities for a peaceful walk, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a contemplative experience.

The Story Behind the Memorial

The Battle of Britain, fought over the skies of Southern England during the summer and autumn of 1940, was a critical turning point in World War II. The German Luftwaffe launched a sustained campaign to achieve air superiority, aiming to pave the way for a potential invasion of Britain. The RAF, bolstered by fighter pilots from Poland (specifically, Squadron No. 303), successfully defended the country against overwhelming odds, ultimately forcing Hitler to abandon his invasion plans. Squadron No. 303, renowned for its exceptional record, claimed the highest number of enemy aircraft destroyed, with an impressive 126 confirmed kills – a testament to their skill, courage, and determination.

Features and Amenities

The memorial offers a range of features designed to enhance the visitor experience:

• Memorial Area: The central focus is a prominent memorial dedicated to the pilots and ground crew who served during the Battle of Britain. It serves as a focal point for reflection and remembrance.
• Cafe: A comfortable cafe provides refreshments and a place to relax and enjoy the surroundings.
• Exhibition Space: The memorial features informative displays and exhibits detailing the events of the Battle of Britain, including photographs, documents, and personal accounts.
• On-site Services: The venue provides access to facilities for visitors with specific needs, ensuring accessibility for all.
• Accessibility: The site is fully wheelchair-accessible, with a dedicated wheelchair-accessible car park and entrance.

Visitor Feedback and Reputation

The Battle of Britain Memorial consistently receives positive reviews from visitors, reflecting its importance as a historical site and its dedication to preserving the memory of those who served. The average opinion reflects a high level of satisfaction, consistently scoring 4.8/5. This high rating suggests that the memorial effectively communicates the significance of the Battle of Britain and provides a respectful and engaging experience for visitors.

Planning Your Visit

To ensure a seamless visit, visitors are advised to:

• Parking: Paid parking is available on-site.
• Accessibility: The site is designed to be accessible for wheelchair users.
• Duration: Allow approximately 1-2 hours to fully explore the memorial and exhibits.
• Nearby Attractions: The memorial is conveniently located near other attractions in the area, including the iconic cliffs of Dover, making it a popular stop on a coastal itinerary.

In conclusion, the Battle of Britain Memorial is more than just a historical site; it’s a place of remembrance, a celebration of courage, and a tribute to the sacrifices made during a pivotal moment in history. It’s a worthwhile destination for anyone seeking to learn more about this crucial event and honor the legacy of those who defended Britain’s freedom. The combination of its location, thoughtful design, and commitment to accessibility make it a truly special place.

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👍 Reviews of Battle of Britain Memorial

Joanna S.

5/5

It's one of those places you"must visit" I am so proud to be Polish. Squadron No. 303, a Polish fighter squadron, claimed the highest number of enemy aircraft destroyed, with 126 confirmed kills. Magnificent historical place by the sea. Nice walk around. It's a perfect place to stop on the way to visit cliffs in Dover. Loved it❣️

Debbie D.

5/5

We had been bought a private guided tour, scramble experience and tea and scones as a birthday present. Unfortunately we were unable to go on the day due to illness but they kindly rearranged the day for us at no extra cost - particular mention of Audrey who was so helpful.
Our tour guide was Sam the treasurer who was so lovely, enthusiastic and a mine of information - it was really interesting. The scramble experience was great - you can use a simulator and dress up too! The tea and scones were lovely. The cafe there is very clean with a good offering and very reasonably priced. There is no govt funding for the memorial and they rely on visitors. It’s well worth a visit!

david R.

5/5

As a coach driver who regularly does battlefield tours in Europe we come through dover on a regular basis but due to always racing for a ferry have never managed to visit until today.
The grounds are beautifully kept as you would expect for a memorial with a replica spitfire and hurricane.
Staff are very friendly and there is a small cafe on site.
There is no entry fee to be paid but there is a small charge for parking which I don't think anyone will mind.
Lots of history with information boards and sculptures all topped of with a small gift shop.

Beth

5/5

Wonderful reflective place beautifully kept with rally helpful people on hand to answer any questions. Very reasonably priced cafe too. With all profits ploughed back into the place well worth a visit

Binal K.

5/5

Came across this whilst we were on a walk with the family. Great to read all the information. The kids loved seeing the planes and also reading about our history. No admission cost and they have a lovely cafe where we ordered drinks. Would absolutely recommend!

Ian E.

5/5

What an excellent place... Visited here in March this year in some very pleasant weather. Be careful if navigating with google maps as depending on where you are travelling from Google takes you down some pretty narrow single track roads with awkward passing of other vehicles, when much better roads are available. Once at the Battle of Britain Memorial there is easy well laid out parking including some disabled spaces close to the building. Once in the building is is a lovely airy space with some interesting exhibits and quite a sizeable shop area with good quality souvenirs, books, models etc to purchase. The Scramble experience has an entry cost of £7.00 currently (£6 concession) and we found this to be an excellent and thought provoking exhibition and brilliant for children above toddler age as much of it has interactive exhibits allowing you to be 'in the shoes' of people at the time of the BoB but in a fun way whilst still getting the point across. For the cost this was excellent. We visited the Cafe on the first floor (Lift available if reqd), two lovely ladies at the servery and the food an drink was excellent and very keenly priced and not overly expensive. The Cafe area allows a lovely overview of the entire area. Outside, a short walk out to the Memorial and the memorial wall and there are replica full sized Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft which are impressive and an excellent Stainless Steel sculpture of a downed Junkers JU-87 'Stuka' to the rear of the two replica RAF fighters. Lots of information boards around which give the full story of the conflict and this site also. The Memorial Wall and memorial itself are very poignant. On the whole an excellent and informative place to visit and show respect for those brave men and woman of the era. We didn't hang about too much but I think if you allow 2- 3 Hours to see everything including having a cuppa and piece of the lovely cakes on offer. The staff at the site are very friendly and helpful and seem to have a personal pride and interest in the place.

Helen R.

5/5

Stunning and moving memorial. Excellent value and lots of information. Lovely little café too. What I was pleased to see was that the Polish pilots were represented

pandula A.

5/5

Great place if you want to discover about history . Great location to see around. Friendly staff. cafe is situated on first floor with a balcony.Food price in the cafe is reasonable.
You can park in the reception as well.