Aerospace Bristol welcomed 109,000 visitors in 2023/24, marking a 40% increase from last year. School visits also rose significantly, showcasing the museum’s growing impact.
The museum shared these numbers in its first impact report. You can check it out at aerospacebristol.org/our-impact.
School visits also soared, going from 8,800 to 13,200. The museum is really connecting with the community around the historic Filton airfield. Plus, they made great strides on the Bolingbroke restoration project.
Sally Cordwell, the CEO, expressed her excitement about the report. She highlighted how the museum serves as a family destination, a school visit spot, and a community hub.
Professor Sir Iain Gray CBE, chair of the Bristol Aero Collection Trust, praised the museum’s growth. He thanked everyone who supported the charity and helped it thrive.
Some highlights from the impact report include the 20th anniversary of Europe’s first Mars mission, celebrated with the Journey to Mars exhibition.
Over 2,000 visitors enjoyed the first Supersonic Brick Day, and the Father’s Day Car Show attracted more than 1,400 people.
A £61,000 grant from South Gloucestershire Council helped boost school visits. They even offered a coach travel bursary for state schools in the area.
Aerospace Bristol partnered with Concord Church for a free community carol service under Concorde. They also donated 500 tickets for the church’s Christmas hampers.
Volunteers contributed over 11,000 hours to the museum from April 2023 to March 2024.
In early 2024, Fosters Events became the museum’s new catering partner. The Concorde Hangar is one of Bristol’s largest indoor venues, and the café offers a locally-sourced seasonal menu.
To read the full impact report, visit aerospacebristol.org/our-impact.
