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You will initially be driven in a comfortable air conditioned vehicle to your first stop, a hidden 1940 gun emplacement, shelters and machine gun post at Dover Western Heights. This authentic wartime defensive position has panoramic views over the English coastline and Channel and will give you the chance to experience the proximity of the aerial Nazi threat just 21 miles away in France.

The next venue will be The Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel-le-Ferne on the White Cliffs. Here you will discover more about who these pilots were including their nationalities, ages and readiness for war. You will see the impressive commemorative wall which highlights the names of all 2937 aircrew who flew in the Battle. There is an impressive visitor centre; inter-active records of everyone took part the Battle of Britain; life-size replicas of a Spitfire and Hurricane; and statues dedicated to Dowding and Park who successfully led the RAF to victory. Last, but by no means least, you can admire the statue of a pilot looking out to the Channel who represents all the men of Fighter Command in 1940.

You will then be taken to the Kent Battle of Britain Museum in order to understand what it was like to be in aerial combat in 1940. Located in Hawkinge, this former RAF station houses the biggest collection of Battle of Britain memorabilia which evokes the sights, sounds and experiences of pilots, RAF and Luftwaffe, from this period. Remnants of aircraft, artefacts and an array of collectables from crash sites in East Kent and beyond are all displayed around a number of hangars.  

After a day of flying and fighting, pilots would, when possible, seek a few hours of relief away from the aerodrome with their surviving colleagues by going to the nearest pub. 

In order to understand how pilots coped and carried on despite the likelihood of death or serious injury, we will visit a characterful and evocative hostelry that was used by airmen during the Battle. This largely unchanged pub will take you back to 1940 through a varied collection of aviation memorabilia and photographs that represent the history of the aerodrome and the men who fought in the Battle.

Finally, you will be taken to the Commonwealth War Graves section of Hawkinge cemetery. Here you have the opportunity to pay your respects to those who lost their lives in combat and who now lie, side by side, with friends and foes alike. You will hear some of the personal stories of Spitfire and Hurricane pilots who once fought in the skies over East Kent and now lie at rest in this peaceful place.