At Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome.

This autumn half term we have a special Family Nature Day focusing on our woodland areas, so if you fancy an alternative to endless Halloween pumpkins, come and join our Wildlife Team for a drop-in day of woodland-themed activities.

Included within the standard admission price, you can enjoy activities including a mini-beast safari, leaf trail, leaf and bark rubbings, autumn/woodland themed craft activities, fungi hunting, learning about hornets, and even dissecting some owl pellets to find out what our birds of prey have been having for their dinner.

Wear warm clothes and sensible footwear as activities will be outside in the woods come rain or shine.

Don’t worry if you get a bit chilly, though, The Airmen’s Mess café will be open with a warm welcome and hot food and drink to thaw you out at the end.

Children aged 10 and younger now go free! Your ticket also includes entry to all the Museum’s attractions.

At Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome.

Join us as we commemorate the Fallen at Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, in the presence of the Lord Lieutenancy of Essex.

We welcome ticket holders to arrive from just before 11am, although our parade will begin in the early afternoon.

You can enjoy a quick visit to some of our exhibitions and perhaps grab a coffee before the event ‘proper’ begins. There will be a pause, and 2 minutes silence, at 11:00, but please remember, our parade is in the afternoon. You will need to be in place, parked and ready, by 13:45.

The Ceremony will be led by The Lord Lieutenancy of Essex, the King’s Representative in Essex. The Honour Party will include the Chairs of Essex County Council, Maldon District Council, The House of Commons and representatives from Colchester Garrison. As the last remaining functioning Great War aerodrome, hosting the largest collection of Great War Royal Flying Corps buildings, Stow Maries is a poignant and appropriate place to visit for this sensitive service.

Tickets are free but limited. All visitors and participants not on parade will require a ticket.

All those on parade will need to be in uniform.

Enjoy a Traditional Festive Meal in the Historic Airmen’s Mess.

Make this year’s Christmas lunch one to remember with a beautifully prepared meal in the unique surroundings of Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome.

Lunch will be served at elegantly dressed tables inside the original Airmen’s Mess, the same room in which Royal Flying Corps pilots and personnel dined during the First World War.

Its wooden furniture, polished parquet floor, hanging uniforms and piano create an atmospheric heritage setting for a festive gathering with friends, family or a club.

Prepared from scratch by the aerodrome’s experienced chef, the menu offers a choice of two or three courses, with fish, meat and vegan dishes available. Tea, coffee and a mince pie provide the finishing touch, while guests may purchase soft drinks or bring their own wine.

Numbers are limited and tables must be reserved in advance.

After booking, guests will receive an email requesting their menu choices.

Christmas lunch menu

Starters

• Butternut squash soup with a hint of chilli – vegan
• Brussels pâté with toasted ciabatta

Main courses

• Hand-carved roast turkey with pigs in blankets, stuffing, Brussels sprouts with pancetta, honey-glazed carrots and parsnips, seasonal greens, cauliflower cheese, Yorkshire pudding, crispy roast potatoes and gravy
• Pan-fried sea bass with ratatouille
• Mediterranean vegetable pie with roast potatoes, golden syrup-glazed carrots and parsnips and seasonal greens – vegan

Desserts

• Christmas pudding with cream – vegan option available
• Chocolate and honeycomb cheesecake with ice cream and caramel sauce

To finish

• Tea or coffee with a mince pie

Enjoy a Traditional Festive Meal in the Historic Airmen’s Mess.

Make this year’s Christmas lunch one to remember with a beautifully prepared meal in the unique surroundings of Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome.

Lunch will be served at elegantly dressed tables inside the original Airmen’s Mess, the same room in which Royal Flying Corps pilots and personnel dined during the First World War.

Its wooden furniture, polished parquet floor, hanging uniforms and piano create an atmospheric heritage setting for a festive gathering with friends, family or a club.

Prepared from scratch by the aerodrome’s experienced chef, the menu offers a choice of two or three courses, with fish, meat and vegan dishes available. Tea, coffee and a mince pie provide the finishing touch, while guests may purchase soft drinks or bring their own wine.

Numbers are limited and tables must be reserved in advance.

After booking, guests will receive an email requesting their menu choices.

Christmas lunch menu

Starters

• Butternut squash soup with a hint of chilli – vegan
• Brussels pâté with toasted ciabatta

Main courses

• Hand-carved roast turkey with pigs in blankets, stuffing, Brussels sprouts with pancetta, honey-glazed carrots and parsnips, seasonal greens, cauliflower cheese, Yorkshire pudding, crispy roast potatoes and gravy
• Pan-fried sea bass with ratatouille
• Mediterranean vegetable pie with roast potatoes, golden syrup-glazed carrots and parsnips and seasonal greens – vegan

Desserts

• Christmas pudding with cream – vegan option available
• Chocolate and honeycomb cheesecake with ice cream and caramel sauce

To finish

• Tea or coffee with a mince pie

Step Back in Time for a Festive Celebration in the Historic 1916 Airmen’s Mess.

The magic of Christmas is coming to Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome for a day filled with music, traditional crafts, festive food and some very special guests.

Set within the warmth of the original 1916 Airmen’s Mess, Christmas at Stow offers a nostalgic taste of Christmas past. More than a dozen designer-makers will be selling distinctive crafts and gifts, including crochet, glass, metalwork and woodcraft.

The aerodrome’s blacksmith will also be working in the forge, demonstrating traditional skills and offering a selection of Christmas gifts for sale.

Live entertainment will continue throughout the day, with music from Sabre Saxes and vocal performances from Chelmsford Male Voice Choir and Braintree Voices women’s choir.

All Saints Church Hand Bell Ringers will also perform carols and festive songs using bells dating back to 1870.

Children can make Christmas crafts to take home and look out for Father Christmas as he wanders around the grounds.

Living historians from the 10th Essex Living History Group will add to the atmosphere in their Great War uniforms.

Food and drink will be available throughout the day, including Rosie’s homemade lunches.

Datum Attitude will also be attending with gift packs of beer and cider for the festive season.

Enjoy a Traditional Festive Meal in the Historic Airmen’s Mess.

Make this year’s Christmas lunch one to remember with a beautifully prepared meal in the unique surroundings of Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome.

Lunch will be served at elegantly dressed tables inside the original Airmen’s Mess, the same room in which Royal Flying Corps pilots and personnel dined during the First World War.

Its wooden furniture, polished parquet floor, hanging uniforms and piano create an atmospheric heritage setting for a festive gathering with friends, family or a club.

Prepared from scratch by the aerodrome’s experienced chef, the menu offers a choice of two or three courses, with fish, meat and vegan dishes available. Tea, coffee and a mince pie provide the finishing touch, while guests may purchase soft drinks or bring their own wine.

Numbers are limited and tables must be reserved in advance.

After booking, guests will receive an email requesting their menu choices.

Christmas lunch menu

Starters

• Butternut squash soup with a hint of chilli – vegan
• Brussels pâté with toasted ciabatta

Main courses

• Hand-carved roast turkey with pigs in blankets, stuffing, Brussels sprouts with pancetta, honey-glazed carrots and parsnips, seasonal greens, cauliflower cheese, Yorkshire pudding, crispy roast potatoes and gravy
• Pan-fried sea bass with ratatouille
• Mediterranean vegetable pie with roast potatoes, golden syrup-glazed carrots and parsnips and seasonal greens – vegan

Desserts

• Christmas pudding with cream – vegan option available
• Chocolate and honeycomb cheesecake with ice cream and caramel sauce

To finish

• Tea or coffee with a mince pie