Aerospace Bristol Publishes its First Impact Report

The report celebrates a successful year for the museum

Aerospace Bristol welcomed 109,000 visitors in 2023/24 – an increase of 40% compared to the previous year. The figures were revealed in the museum’s first impact report, which is available to read at aerospacebristol.org/our-impact. 

Alongside this significant growth in visitor numbers, highlights include an increase in school visits from 8,800 to 13,200, strengthened ties with the growing community around the historic Filton airfield site, and significant progress on the Bolingbroke restoration project. 

Sally Cordwell, CEO, Aerospace Bristol, said:

“I’m delighted to share Aerospace Bristol’s first impact report. As well as looking back at a very successful year, the report highlights the important work that we do as a charity and the crucial role that Aerospace Bristol plays as a family day out, a school visit destination, an important community hub, and a museum that preserves Bristol’s remarkable aerospace heritage.”

Professor Sir Iain Gray CBE, Chair, Bristol Aero Collection Trust, added:

“It’s wonderful to see Aerospace Bristol going from strength to strength and we are tremendously grateful to everyone who has supported our charity and helped the museum on its journey to date. Thanks to the collective efforts and ongoing commitment of our staff, volunteers, members, funders and supporters, we can look to the future with optimism.”

Highlights from Aerospace Bristol’s 2023/24 impact report:

  • The museum marked the 20th anniversary of Europe’s first Mars mission with the Journey to Mars exhibition. The exhibition featured Luke Jerram’s Mars artwork as its centrepiece.

  • Over 2,000 visitors enjoyed the first Supersonic Brick Day in partnership with GertLUG, while the Father’s Day Car Show attracted more than 1,400 attendees.

  • A £61,000 South Gloucestershire Council grant helped the museum to increase its school visitors. Funded initiatives included a coach travel bursary for all state schools in South Gloucestershire. Bursary places are still available thanks to ongoing council funding.

  • Aerospace Bristol partnered with Concord Church to offer a free community carol service under Concorde and donated 500 complimentary tickets in the church’s Christmas hampers.

  • Volunteers collectively gave more than 11,000 hours of their time to the museum between April 2023 and March 2024.

  • Fosters Events were appointed as the museum’s new catering and events partner in early 2024. Aerospace Bristol’s Concorde Hangar is one of the city’s largest indoor venues, while the museum café is free to enter and offers a locally-sourced seasonal menu.

To read the impact report, visit aerospacebristol.org/our-impact.

Bristol Aero Collection