The REME Museum tells the story of the Corps of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers; St Michael's Church has a very different focus: its architectural history dates back to the 14th and 15th centuries. The area of the parish of Lyneham and Bradenstoke also has places of remembrance and walking routes. If you're looking for a holiday apartment in Lyneham, you can shape your plans around these specific themes—from the history of technology and church architecture to exploring on foot.
REME Museum and military history
The REME Museum is devoted to the history of the Corps of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Its collection includes historic repair and recovery vehicles, complemented by interactive and immersive exhibitions. Here, the history of the organisation meets practical engineering. Visitors with a particular interest in the collection can also join public tours of the reserve collection throughout the year. Check the dates before your trip so you can plan your visit accordingly. The museum grounds also include a café. If you plan to visit, check the latest visitor information in advance.
During the Second World War, Lyneham Airfield served several purposes, including flight training, aircraft ferrying, and transport and maintenance services. These aspects broaden the perspective on military history beyond the Corps-related subject of the museum. Those interested in the development of aviation and maintenance will find a different historical focus here from the exhibition on repair and recovery vehicles.
St Michael's Church: medieval fabric and later additions
St Michael's Church is an Anglican parish church and a chapel for an RAF station. Its fabric includes parts dating from the 14th and 15th centuries; the chancel was built between 1862 and 1865 to a design by William Butterfield. This makes it possible to distinguish the church's medieval history from a precisely dated 19th-century addition. Notable features include a 15th-century chancel screen and a carved Jacobean screen beneath the tower arch. The two screens point to different periods in church furnishings and add specific details to the building's history.
Places of remembrance and routes in the parish
The Garden of Remembrance at the former RAF Lyneham station was created in memory of people who lost their lives in service. Its design includes wildflower-planted banks, sandbags and three Wiltshire stones in the colours of the three armed services. Another site is the Lyneham Memorial Garden on the grounds of the REME Museum. Their different names and locations help distinguish the two gardens.
The parish of Lyneham and Bradenstoke has footpaths and bridleways that are open to everyone all year round. The wider parish also contains the remains of Bradenstoke Abbey. The site is private and not open to the public, but you can see the tower from nearby footpaths. This distinction is important when planning your visit: the ruins themselves are not a publicly accessible destination, while the tower can be viewed from the paths.
Planning your journey and accommodation
The REME Museum uses the same access road as MOD Lyneham, at the main gate on the A3102. The MOD Lyneham Main Gate bus stop on the A3102 is less than 350 metres from the museum entrance. Timetables may change, so check connections before travelling. This information can help you get your bearings for a museum visit, while the walking routes and church architecture offer other possible focal points.
When looking for a holiday apartment in Lyneham, it’s worth first deciding what interests you most: is the REME Museum and military history your main focus, or would you also like to include the church, places of remembrance and walking routes? Compare the location of a specific property with the places you plan to visit. That way, your choice of accommodation can reflect your actual itinerary without treating the different sites and their respective access conditions as if they were the same.
Discover more destinations: Corsham, Castle Combe, Cricklade, Amesbury, Westbury, Whiteparish, Holt, Marlborough.
For the broader travel overview: Wiltshire.
