Bentley Priory Museum

RNLI 200: Remembering the Rescue of The Few
2024-11-08 10:00 - 16:00, 2024-11-09 10:00 - 16:00, 2024-11-13 10:00 - 16:00, 2024-11-15 10:00 - 16:00, 2024-11-16 10:00 - 16:00, 2024-11-20 10:00 - 16:00, 2024-11-22 10:00 - 16:00, 2024-11-23 10:00 - 16:00 (Europe/London) and 10 more dates | Bentley Priory Museum, Mansion House Drive, Stanmore, HA7 3FB, United Kingdom
RNLI 200: Remembering the Rescue of The Few explores the critical role of the RNLI in WWII, including rescues during the evacuation of Dunkirk & of Battle of Britain aircrew in 1940. With thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Friday Morning Talks: Phew! That Was Close - With Air Marshal GA 'Black' Robertson
2024-11-08 11:00 - 12:00
Join us at the Museum for our Friday morning talk, where Air Marshal (Retd) GA ‘Black’ Robertson will be returning to speak about some extraordinary individual’s experiences that are featured in his latest book ‘Flying Through the Ranks’.
Popular speaker Air Marshal Black Robertson returns on Friday 8 November with another fascinating talk: Phew – That Was Close! It’s based on his latest book, Flying Through the Ranks, where contributors from a Marshal of the RAF to a Junior Technician tell a series of extraordinary stories that run the gamut of risk-taking from the Cold War to the Balkans.
To give you a flavour of some eye-opening experiences, you’ll hear of a Lightning first-tourist who succumbs to the ‘press-on spirit’. In the Falklands a calculated gamble puts tanker crews in grave danger, while a brilliant, almost equally risky piece of improvisation averts potential disaster for a young Hunter pilot. Then from Kosovo comes the tale of an astonishing helicopter escape. There are engineer stories too, not least those from a UK base seemingly prone to serious accidents. Central to so many of these riveting tales is the bond between those who fly and those who support them on the ground – as is the most important factor of them all: sheer good fortune. Don’t miss this enthralling illustrated presentation.
About the speaker
Air Marshal GA ‘Black’ Robertson CBE BA FRAeS FRSA RAF (Retd)
‘Black’ Robertson joined the RAF in 1963, instantly acquiring the nickname that’s remained with him ever since. After 3 years at the RAF College, Cranwell, he spent the next three decades in flying, staff and command appointments including tours of duty in the USA, Germany and the Falkands. He flew all the RAF’s front line fighter aircraft and also qualified as a helicopter pilot. A trustee of the David Vaisey Awards, a Cranfield Trust mentor and an ambassador for the National Spitfire Monument, www.nationalspitfireproject, he now devotes his time mainly to lecturing and writing and has appeared at the Cheltenham Literature Festival and the Gloucester History Festival. Flying Through the Ranks is his fourth book; for more information, see www.blackrobertson.com.

It will take place in the Museum’s Learning Centre for those with Museum admission or Annual Membership.
Advance booking required – please reserve your place via the link below.
Reserve Your Place

Friday Morning Talks: Stalin's Female Pilots - The Night Witches - With Debbie Land
2024-11-29 11:00 - 12:00
Join us at the Museum for our Friday Morning Talk, where Debbie Land will be speaking about Stalin’s Female Pilots, known as The Night Witches.
A look at the engagement of women in Stalin’s Air Force, with focus on the Night Witches and the Polikarpov PO2.
We will lightly venture into the Russian historical timeline, to look at some of the women involved in WWI, aviatrix progress during the inter-war years and introduce some of the key players who felt the need to respond to Operation Barbarossa.
About the speaker
Debbie is the Costume and Carriage Curator / Volunteer Co-Ordinator at the Shuttleworth Collection & Gardens in Bedfordshire. She is also responsible for leading the flightline tours at the ever popular Shuttleworth airshows.
It will take place in the Museum’s Learning Centre for those with Museum admission or Annual Membership.
Advance booking required – please reserve your place via the link below.
Reserve Your Place

Harrow Apollo Male Choir Annual Concert 2024
2024-12-07 14:30 - 16:30
We will be welcoming back Harrow Apollo Male Choir on Saturday 07th December for their Annual Concert at the Museum.
Harrow Apollo Male Choir will perform many favourites in the Museum’s spectacular Operations Room, including a festive selection of songs.
The Annual Concert will take place from 2.30pm until 4.30pm, with an interval.
The Museum including the Café that will be serving a range of light lunches and refreshments, will be open from 10:00am to concert ticket holders. Please note that Operations Room will be closed from 1.00pm, with the doors re-opening for guests to be seated shortly before the performance.
Tickets include a mince pie and non -alcoholic festive punch/juice at the interval.
Please note that the Museum will be only be open for general admission until 1.00pm for non-concert ticket holders.
Book Online Here or call 020 8950 5526.

Meet Father Christmas
2024-12-13 13:00 - 16:00
Get into the festive spirit with a fun family visit to Meet Father Christmas!
Father Christmas will be joining us and will have a special gift for each child!
Come and have a go at our festive craft activity too!
Tickets (Include Museum Admission & Craft Activity):
Adult: £4
Member (adult/concession): Free
Child: £10 (includes gift)
The museum is open 10:00am – 4:00pm with the café serving festive treats and a craft activity available all day. Families will meet Father Christmas 1 group at a time within the booked hour timeslot. Please note that for the first time, this year we have sessions available on the afternoon of Friday 13 December in addition to those on Saturday 14 December.
Tickets for Meet Father Christmas can be booked by clicking this link
Amendments to bookings can be made by contacting at enquiries@bentleypriorymuseum.org.uk or by calling 020 8950 5526

Meet Father Christmas
2024-12-14 10:00 - 15:00
Get into the festive spirit with a fun family visit to Meet Father Christmas!
(Advance booking required)
Father Christmas will be joining us and will have a special gift for each child!
Come and have a go at our festive craft activity too!
Tickets (Include Museum Admission & Craft Activity):
Adult: £4
Member (adult/concession): Free
Child: £10 (includes gift)
The museum is open 10:00am – 4:00pm with the café serving festive treats and a craft activity available all day. Families will meet Father Christmas 1 group at a time within the booked hour timeslot. Please note that for the first time, this year we have sessions available on the afternoon of Friday 13 December in addition to those on Saturday 14 December.
Admission is by advance booking only and can be booked by clicking this link
Amendments to bookings can be made by contacting at enquiries@bentleypriorymuseum.org.uk or by calling 020 8950 5526
Please note that the museum is open to Meet Father Christmas ticket holders only.

Friday Morning Talks: Dad's Army Goes To War - With Melody Foreman
2025-02-07 11:00 - 12:00
Join us for our Friday Morning Talk, where Melody Foreman will be talking us through the real military service history of many of the cast in the much loved comedy sitcom Dad’s Army.
For decades the classic, evergreen BBC comedy Dad’s Army has entertained millions of viewers around the world. But the farcical antics of Walmington-on-Sea’s bumbling Home Guard platoon camouflage the true military service of some of the actors themselves. Despite their light-hearted appearance, many of the cast saw active service in one, or even both, of the world wars – and much of it far from humorous.
About the speaker
MELODY FOREMAN is a journalist with experience in newspapers and television documentaries. She also works as a book sommelier and public speaker. Melody is the author of the best-selling Bomber Girls, A Spitfire Girl, the biography of Air Transport Auxiliary pilot Mary Wilkins Ellis, The Wreck Hunter: Battle of Britain and the Blitz, and two books about the history of Kent. Melody is a regular contributor to national publications including Britain at War magazine. She maintains an avid interest in the social history of both the First and Second World Wars, literature, art, film and theatre studies. www.melodyforeman.co.uk

This talk will take place onsite in the Museum’s Operations Room gallery and is included in Museum admission or Annual Membership.
Advance booking required
This talk was advertised as fully booked, but we’re pleased to say that it will now be held in our Operations Room gallery and further bookings will be taken. Please email enquiries@bentleypriorymuseum.org.uk or call 020 8950 5526 if you would like to book.

CANCELLED - Friday Morning Talks: The Stanmores and Harrow Weald – Part 3 – With John Williams - CANCELLED
2025-02-14 11:00 - 12:00
*Originally postponed, this talk has now been cancelled owing to the sad news of the passing of the speaker, John Williams.

John was not only one of our valued Friday Morning Talks speakers. He had been a Museum Trustee for many years and continued as a volunteer after he stepped down.

John was incredibly supportive of the Museum and its foundation; promoting it in the local Stanmore community and offering hands-on support over the years. His latest project was overseeing the repainting/restoration of the Bunker doors to enhance the visitor experience.

He will be missed deeply by many of us at the Museum who got know him so well over the years.

Valentine's Day Afternoon Tea
2025-02-14 14:00 - 15:00
Are you looking for a special treat for a loved on on Valentine’s Day? Celebrate with us on Friday 14 February with a special afternoon tea available for groups of 2 or more. Served 2-3 pm.
£22 per person. Option to upgrade with prosecco on the day.
Separate museum admission or annual membership required.
Please book by Tuesday 11th February 2025.
To book and submit any dietary/allergy issues please contact groupbookings@bentleypriorymuseum.org.uk or call 020 8950 5526 option 4 (group bookings).

February Half-Term: Airfix Make and Paint
2025-02-15 11:00 - 13:00
Saturday 15, Wednesday 19, Friday 21, and Saturday 22 February.
PLEASE NOTE: On Saturday 15 February this activity will need to close early at 1pm. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. All other sessions over half-term will be available until 3pm as planned.
Airfix Make and Paint activity for families.

Put together and paint your own Airfix kit! Kits, glue and paint provided onsite.

Suitable for children aged 8+. Peg Plane activity available for younger children.

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

February Half-Term: Airfix Make and Paint
2025-02-19 11:00 - 15:00, 2025-02-21 11:00 - 15:00
Saturday 15, Wednesday 19, Friday 21, and Saturday 22 February.
Airfix Make and Paint activity for families.

Put together and paint your own Airfix kit! Kits, glue and paint provided onsite.

Suitable for children aged 8+. Peg Plane activity available for younger children.

Included in Museum Admission or Annual Membership.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.

February Half-Term: Airfix Make and Paint
2025-02-22 13:30 - 15:30
Saturday 15, Wednesday 19, Friday 21, and Saturday 22 February.
Please note due volunteer and staff capacity, along with the incredible popularity of this activity, it will now run from 1.30 – 3.30 pm on Saturday 22nd February rather than its original scheduled time. Our apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.
Airfix Make and Paint activity for families.

Put together and paint your own Airfix kit! Kits, glue and paint provided onsite.

Suitable for children aged 8+. Peg Plane activity available for younger children.

Included in Museum Admission or Annual Membership.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
