Day 1: Following your home taxi collection you will join our luxury tour coach and we will make our way to RAF Digby for a guided tour by RAF crew of the Lima Sector Operations room, the only one of its kind left in existence. This venue has real wow factor as you walk into the bunker, starting with its 1940s milk bottle on the doorstep. You will pass several small rooms containing artefacts from the Second World War on the way to the Operations Room which played a crucial role in defending Lincolnshire during the Second World War. The Operations Room is exactly as it would have been in World War II. Women specially chosen for their intelligence and ability to multi task plotted the progress of aircraft over Lincolnshire. They gathered information from the Royal Observer Corps, RADAR sites and the pilots.
From here we continue to our hotel for the next 4 nights, the Petwood Hotel in Woodhall Spa, on a dinner bed & breakfast basis.
Day 2: This morning our first stop is the International Bomber command centre. Opened in 2018, the IBCC provides a world-class facility acknowledging the efforts, sacrifices and commitment of the men and women, from 62 different nations, who came together in Bomber Command during WWII. Immerse yourself in interactive exhibits telling stories of those involved on all sides, discover recordings, documents and the sacrifices of those who united their efforts to protect the freedom we enjoy today.
Discover the Memorial Spire at the International Bomber Command Centre, measuring 102ft high and 16ft wide, the wingspan of the Avro Lancaster Bomber and the width of a Lancaster wing. The Spire commands stunning views across Lincoln, with a focus on the City’s ancient Cathedral, which served as a sighting point for crews flying from Lincolnshire. For many of the men named on the accompanying walls, the Cathedral provided their last sight of Britain.
This afternoon we travel to Freiston where we find the We’ll Meet Again Museum. There are Homefront exhibits, including a typical ‘shop’ counter of the period. You will also see Women’s Land Army artefacts, nurse’s uniforms, children’s toys, and equipment used in the home at that time from mangles to mincers. There is also an Anderson Shelter and blitz experience.
Day 3: This morning we visit the Lincolnshire Aviation & Heritage Centre at East Kirkby, which is home to some of the rarest aircraft and wartime vehicles and is a living and breathing history experience with the sights and sounds of a wartime airfield and a running Lancaster and Mosquito.
The main exhibit of the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre is the Avro Lancaster Mk VII, NX611, also known as 'Just Jane'. This Lancaster was constructed in 1945 with the intention of being deployed against Japan as part of the RAF's Tiger Force. However, the surrender of Japan meant that it never saw combat.
Another must see is the Original Control Tower which has been restored to show you what an operational tower would have been like.
This afternoon we make our way to Coningsby and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight visitor centre, here we are treated to an enlightening guided tour of the hangar where these historic aeroplanes are meticulously maintained. Many of the guides have first-hand experience of the aircraft, and whilst in the hangar, you may be able to observe the RAF BBMF technicians maintaining the aircraft.
The visitor centre and the RAF hangar are located within the boundaries of RAF Coningsby. Please be aware that RAF Coningsby is a military environment. No bags are allowed within the hangar on public tours and there are no secure storage facilities on site. Cameras without bags are permitted. If you wish to bring purses, wallets, mobile phones and other valuables, you can put them in a small plastic bag. You can get one from the visitor centre upon arrival.
Day 4: We have a leisurely morning to enjoy the hotel’s history, memorabilia, gardens and grounds or walk into the delightful village of Woodhall Spa with its Dambuster’s connections and its unique Kinema in the Woods.
This afternoon we head to historic city of Lincoln for an afternoon at leisure. Perhaps visit the stunning Cathedral, the interesting transport museum or take a walk around the city centre for high street and independent shopping. The Lincoln open top bus tour is an excellent way to see the city. (attractions today subject to individual choice and payment)
Day 5: This morning we depart our hotel and make our way to a gem of a market town, Boston, which is immersed in history and dominated by its 14th century St Botolph’s Church whose high tower is locally known as ‘The Stump’. We later head back to Norfolk arriving late afternoon to find our door-to-door taxis service waiting to return you home.
Holiday Information:
4 Nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast (Dinner will be table service)
Price: £736pp
Single Supplement: £Nil (Limited Availability)
Additional Singles Beyond Allocation From: £60 (May be allocated a true single or a twin or double room for sole occupancy, depending on availability)
Tour Reference: AWE5271
Deposit Required: £50pp
Balance Due: 8 weeks prior to departure