The Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre is an intriguing museum situated on the site of Scotland's oldest air station. The museum features displays spread across various buildings, including a 1940s-themed room showcasing everyday life during that era. Visitors can explore three separate exhibits with models and real-sized planes, medals, and an air raid warden room. In addition to indoor displays, there are also some outdoor exhibits such as a bunker for shooting.
Really interesting museum. It took us a bit more than an hour to see all the displays. It started with a 1940s room having a table prepared for a meal, toys and other everyday life necessities. Later, we have seen 3 separate displays in different buildings. First one consisted of models of planes, medals, airrade warden room etc. The other two had actual real-sized planes in. There were a couple of exponants outside as well, including bunker for shooting. Staff was really nice.
Julia F — Google review
I loved it here, the Hawker Hunter is so much bigger than I thought it would be. The tornado is epic. Well worth a visit, the staff are super friendly and knowledgeable.
Anne Mcleod — Google review
The centre is quite small with a limited amount to see, however, don't let that put you off, it's a great way to spend a couple of hours and I'd very much recommend it. You'll see some vehicles, planes, and there's buildings to explore as well as a wealth of information pertaining to the the once vast Montrose Station. If you're happy to stop and read some of the information and view the photos, you can spend an hour or two here. When we visited (15/10/21) not everything had reopened, a couple of the buildings and the cafe were still closed, yet we were there for 1h 45m. The staff are very polite and friendly, especially the lady who sold us the model planes in the gift shop and the gentleman in the Hawker Hunter shed. The gentleman took so much time with my kids, they asked lot's of questions and he answered them all! Having knowledgeable people man these exhibits really makes all the difference when visiting. All in all, we had a great time and we'd recommend others give it a try to.
Paul Wilkinson — Google review
A small but full and well laid out museum. Plenty disabled access and a great dressing up and colouring in area for the kids. A lot to see,very impressed. A hidden gem,go if you're in town.
Andy Robson — Google review
Montrose Air Station - One of the oldest training stations in the UK for Airforce Pilots.
This site is spread across multiple buildings some of which are the oldest surviving examples of aircraft hangers in THE WORLD - so it's a unique place to visit. Amongst many other exhibits - go along and experience the full-size replica B.E.2a aircraft flown by No.2 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps when they were the first to land in France at the start of World War One in 1914. Compare that fragile aircraft with our Panavia Tornado GR4, a powerful jet aircraft flown by the RAF from 1980 until 2019.
The cost of entry is very affordable and being outdoors the site is ideal for younger visitors.
Car parking is available in and around the site
Sign posts are visible from the North Esk Road Montrose..
Angus Spence — Google review
This was not our first visit here, but it was well worth the return visit. We took our grandchildren, and they really enjoyed it (children free entry) adults £6.00 concessions for pensioners. The staff and volunteers are very good and knowledgeable. There are things for children to do and play on, including dressing up.
Bob Murdach — Google review
Fascinating museum set on the remains of Scotland's oldest air station. WW1 hangars are still in use, many now re- purposed, but one is still used by the museum.
Give yourself lots of time, particularly after the museum is fully reopened.
Hugh Conway — Google review
Great value. Lots to see and the volunteers are very knowledgeable. They’re doing great work here preserving and restoring the aircraft and related items.
Colin Maxwell — Google review
Not a lot of lanes but the ones they have are fantastic. Lots of interesting information and artifacts. Great work from the volunteers.
Allen May — Google review
I had no idea this place existed, it was just a random you tube video alerted me to its existence. It may be a small place compared to other air museums but this place is a gem. Lots of history to find out about and the exhibits are really wonderful to see up close. This is well worth a visit
Kenny — Google review
Today 6-4-24 I payed a visit to the Air heritage Centre in Montrose. I have always had an interest in Historic Aircraft and until recently never knew this place existed
Well worth a visit for Anyone with an interest in Historic Aircraft and the people that flew them 9
Richard Smith — Google review
19/5/23. Thank you very much for a very interesting and informative visit. We apologise for holding you all back. Dave was very helpful and knowledgeable. The exhibits are amazing. It was definitely worth the entrance fee. Mostly flat area, Disabled friendly.
My wife and I would highly recommend a visit if you are in the area. Many Thanks to the volunteers.
Paul Chetwynd — Google review
I spent fantastic hours here with my son and our friends. The children are 8, 10 and 12 year old boys. They really enjoyed the exhibition. They admired life-size airplanes, tried out a bunker, and got to know the life of military pilots of the old days. The staff is very kind and helpful. This should not be left out of the program.
Gergő Veres — Google review
Great day out at one of the best kept secrets in Scotland.
Amazing staff and a fascinating display.
Great value, easy parking and some amazing engineering.
Mark Stevenson — Google review
We had a fantastic day at the heritage centre open weekend! The hanger displays were fascinating, informative, a little emotional, and interesting! Great to see a bit of history brought to life as well as the ongoing projects. We will be back!!!
St Cyrus National Nature Reserve is a breathtaking and valuable ecological reserve that boasts a well-maintained visitor center, nesting grounds, meadows, and miles of pristine golden sands. The reserve is immaculately looked after and the new carpark and toilets are highly impressive. Although the beach may not be readily accessible due to the sand, it remains an unparalleled destination for those seeking solitude in nature's finest offerings.
Great walk along the beach and cliffs. Our dogs loved it! Amazing view from top of the cliffs
Nicci Kraus — Google review
Beautiful. Stunning. Precious. Too many words I could use to describe this place. Visitor center is well maintained (note: this is your only toilet for miles) and the walk through the nesting grounds and meadows across the causeway to the beach is magical. And then, the beach arrives and welcomes you with miles of golden sands: clean, soft and backed by the wind blown reeds of the dunes. A great place for quiet time immersed in nature at it's finest.
Pete Mason — Google review
Beautiful spot, well looked after by the rangers who are always helpful and friendly. Amazing spot for nature spotting. Excellent rock formations on the beach and driftwood a plenty!
Justin Jones — Google review
Stunning beach and reserve. Really well looked after and the new carpark is absolutely fantastic. I'd say quite accessible except for the beach but that is understandable due to the sand!!
I have to say the new toilets are also amazing. It's so nice to finish a walk and have a quick wee before a car ride home!
Pickled Scot — Google review
Love this beach/reserve. Never busy and a really nice walk. There is a lot of driftwood that adds to the character, sand is perfect for walking barefoot.
Richard Carberry — Google review
Fantastic place, great parking, toilets, baby change, disabled toilets, parking for motorbikes, cars, camper vans, motorhomes. Mini busses, suv. Disabled parking and access - there is a office adjacent to the visitor centre and they may be able to offer beach accessible wheelchairs as I saw them on the mezzanine level of the visitor centre. Beach is stunning as are the cliffs and dunes. Great views lots of wildlife from insects and butterflies to birds and bees!! Our dog loved running on the beach and in the sea and the walk back dried her off!!
Karen Johnston — Google review
Good beach and the nature reserve is great. They’ve got good car parking including spaces for campers/motor homes.
The camper bays are quite limited, and very close together. Some are on quite a slope so make sure you’ve got levelling chocks or it’ll not be the best sleep.
B M — Google review
An absolutely beautiful beach for walking.
Heather Dunnell — Google review
Beautiful long, sandy beach and epic views from the cliffs.
Tom Potton — Google review
3
Scottish Wildlife Trust, Montrose Basin Visitor Centre and Wildlife Reserve
The Montrose Basin Visitor Centre and Wildlife Reserve, a non-profit organization under the Scottish Wildlife Trust, boasts of knowledgeable and friendly staff. The centre is equipped with telescopes and binoculars for birdwatching enthusiasts to view various local wildlife species such as finches, wading birds, and even pheasants. Visitors can also enjoy the gift shop and second-hand books available on-site while sipping coffee.
The lady running the centre when we were in was lovely, obviously very knowledgeable and a joy to chat to. The centre itself is well equipped with several telescopes and binoculars for viewing the local wildlife. We were lucky enough to see a variety of finches, several species of wading birds and even a few female pheasants in our short stay. There's a lovely gift shop, second hand books and there's even coffee available.
Neil Campbell — Google review
Lovely place to visit. Really enjoyed the experience. Three helpful, knowledgeable and not to mention pretty ladies to help you find the wildlife around. Facilities excellent. Will be returning.
phyxius47 — Google review
Entry is £5.50 per adult, varying prices for children and concessions. The centre is open from 10.30m to 5pm from March to October. Winter hours are a bit different, closing at 4pm and only open Friday - Monday. There are tea, coffee and biscuits available (with vegan milk options) which you can take to a window and have while you use the telescopes at the viewing areas. The toilets are lovely and clean. There is lots to see here and lots of information to read. The girl on the desk was really nice too and told us about the swallows which have begun nesting on their fire escape! We had a lovely time photographing the local birds here and saw a buzzard, beautiful collared doves, robins, tree sparrows, chaffinches, gorgeous greenfinches, yellowhammers as well as redshank, eider ducks and oystercatchers from the hide onsite. We did get a bit lost trying to find our way to the other various bird hides on the basin map when we left and ended up at places where we felt we couldn't leave the car. We'll try again another day. We should have asked at the visitor centre for extra directions, not being from here we didn't know the area well enough.
Vicky Dunbar — Google review
Staff here always knowledgeable and lovely
The hide is great, and the visitor centre is stacked with binoculars and telescopes to look out over the basin
Been here a few times and will definitely go back
Neill Collie — Google review
Brilliant knowledgeable staff, so much to see and do. Nice to sit and watch the seals and birds while enjoying a coffee. Dedicated kids area too.
Lisa Jones — Google review
It's a very nice place for birdwatching 🐦 you can find out different kinds of birds, ducks🦆 and 🦭 seals here, but during the low tide, you have more probability to see the seals here.
Deepak Sharma — Google review
Small haven of tranquillity. Be prepared to spend some time waiting for the various birds, seals and wildlife to wonder into your view. The tide has such a dramatic effect on the scenery and activity of the wildlife.
Staff members were very knowable and keen to share their passion about the are and its history. Also ask about the surrounding areas.
Note that there is limited walking paths from this point.
Julius Ang — Google review
Fantastic views over the Bay and teming with bird life. Very informative boards all round. Coffee available too.
Irene Rintoul — Google review
Went here as tourists for the first time ever and it was a wonderful experience!
starting with lovely staff introducing us to the wildlife centre, to the amazing quality of bird spotting scopes and finally lovely ice cream in hot weather.
if you're in the area nip in, have a browse and try to spot some of the dozen birds and other animals that live near the cost
Reka Bisztray — Google review
My husband and I had a lovely afternoon here, made all the better by a very knowledgeable young person named Hamish. Hamish was generous with his time and we are very appreciative!
Lots of lovely and exciting birds to see!
Alyson Jolly — Google review
Really friendly with an expert ornithologist on hand to help with ID of tricky waders. Telescopes available at window seats.
Magnus Johnson — Google review
Not what we expected, small place and not much to see. Staff are very nice.
Bill B — Google review
Incredible spot and well worth the entry fee (which helps fund these places and protect wildlife). Amazing bird hide/visitor centre combo replete with spotting scopes and binoculars. The secret gem is that the staff are an extensive font of bird knowledge and are lightning fast at spotting birds and setting up scopes for people to view them easily. Their enthusiasm was infectious. To top it off we saw our first kingfisher!
Alexander Wootten — Google review
An excellent experience. The visitor centre has interesting displays about the wildlife and a viewing area at the back with telescopes and binoculars, and views across the whole basin. The staff were friendly, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. We saw seals and many different birds species. There's a hide a short walk from the centre. There's no cafe as such but hot and cold drinks, ice creams and snacks available from the counter. If you're going to be there all day, take your own lunch. Well worth the £5 or so entrance fee (children free) - it goes to a very important cause.
Ros Ring — Google review
An unassumingly small road-sign signals the way to the Trust. There is free parking available and lots of information outside in the car-park about hikes that can be done in the area (N.B. Most of these do not start from the Trust car park). Inside there are toilets (free to use) and a coffee & gift-shop (free to browse). There is a further section (fee) with a selection of binoculars and scopes, comfortable seating and ample information boards and reference texts. Well worth the entrance fee! We were here for ages using the scopes, drinking coffee and feasting on sightings of heaps of interesting bird species. The staff were friendly, helpful, highly knowledgable and happy to share. We loved it here.
Charleton Fruit Farm offers a range of fresh produce to purchase, including fruit and vegetables. Additionally, visitors can enjoy a lunch at the farm's restaurant and browse through the wonderful shop filled with various goodies. The farm is suitable for both children and adults, making it an ideal destination for everyone in town. With plenty of activities available, such as pumpkin patches and park play areas, it's an excellent spot to let children run around and burn off some energy.
Pick yer own, or buy done fabulous fresh fruit in between a wee lunch at their gaff, and a browse in the amazing shop, filled with goodies. An adventure fur the wains or the big wains, but definitely worth a visit every time yer in town. #Thankyou #CharletonFruitFarm
Dinnae mention #StrawberryTarts x
Bonnie Montrose #MorethanjustaBook — Google review
Don't know why we haven't been here before. Really nice place. Nicely decorated with pumpkins, friendly staff & delicious food (soup & panini). Nice that you can sit in the outside area with your dog. Great farm shop as well. We will definitely be back ! (we did wipe down the table after the dog stood on it)
Jerry Cobb — Google review
I rely enjoyed my trip to Charleton farm. It was my first visit since it has been taken over. Lots of changes, the food has definitely improved a lot! The smash burger was delicious, piping hot, tasty beef, amazing thick, cut chips!
The prices have gone up considerably as everything has in recent months. Strawberry tarts now £3.60. Given how popular the tarts are, I was surprised that you don't introduce a tart & coffee deal for £5 or something. Would be nice to see some offers/specials of the day etc.
Still so much potential to unfold in the space. It was a but cold, I thought the fire might be on. Everyone enjoyed their soup etc, it was a pleasant day out.
Farm shop is good but prices again super high, for everything. Loved the art space featuring prints and originals.
Definitely an improvement on how Charleton farm used to be.
Travel Guru — Google review
Loved it. What a great place for a day out.
The cafe is great. Good menu for adults and kids, lots of choice and everything seems freshly cooked / prepped. We had the nachos and ploughman's platter. Delicious. The staff were very friendly and attentive. There's seating available outside as well as inside.
The playpark is amazing. Our daughter had an absolute blast. There are trampolines, Wendy houses, sandpit, slides, tunnell maze and many more. All kids will definitely be entertained for hours.
The farm shop is well-stocked with food items, clothes, bags, toys and trinkets. Lovely stuff. I definitely recommend getting strawberry tarts.
Pick your own fruit is available but we didn't do that this time.
Dogs are allowed on the lead but not within the playpark area. Paths are buggy/pram-friendly. Lots of parking spaces available.
No picnics allowed. Food needs to be purchased on site. However, foods seems to be reasonably priced. I'm happy to support them this way. We'll definitely be back.
Maya M — Google review
We visited this morning for breakfast .
We had dog with us. Place is very dog friendly . We were offered water for him and then he even got few biscuits ;)
We had full breakfast and dirty eggs .
Food presented nice , was very tasty and served quick .
We also had pancakes 🥞 portion was really big , and had lots of berries 🍓 was lovely !!!
We will definitely be back !
Aleksandra Kolodziejczyk — Google review
Farm is lovely for kids, winter time bit muddy, kids seem to love it. Food was average for me. Had a baked potato very well done on the outside, however not 100% on the inside, too much mayo on the coleslaw.
Annette Richards — Google review
Loved every bit of that place! Great selection of fruit, berries, pumpkins etc.
Nice and friendly staff throughout the entire place. Super fun for kids overall, especially the playground.
Anna Grzeszczuk — Google review
Such a lovely place to visit and have lunch. Kids play outside where there is so many games. Trampoline, go-cart and so much more. All for free!!! Amazing! Highly recommended! Yummy food and great for the price.
Z A — Google review
I visited the restaurant with friends, very lovely staff and quite a nice rustic scene within the establishment mixing it's old heritage of being a stable and modern. Food was good with a good service. Make sure to pre book seats. Farm shop was decent with a variety of items. Parking was plentiful..
CRR Artorious — Google review
The food is well priced and really good quality, nice coffee too, great to sit outside under cover and let the kids play in the massive play area, well recommended
John Jones — Google review
Another fab day at Charleton! Kids love it here, there's plenty of ways for them to run off some energy. We enjoyed the pumpkin patch, a play in the park and a delishious lunch today 👌
Lizzy Balmer — Google review
Good fun experience and lovely area, but unfortunately the berries and cherries were not very sweet.
Nanis K. — Google review
Our second visit and again it did not disappoint. The service was friendly and efficient. The food excellent - wholesome, local, fresh, relatively simple, piping hot and plentiful. Just what you would anticipate of a farm based meal. The burger was thick meaty, perfectly cooked. The chips appeared to have been twice cooked and were a delight. My black coffee was extremely good, strong, flavourful, best in years. We could not finish; Oh I tried, I tried! We bought take away strawberry tarts - outstanding - well it’s a fruit farm. Downsides, none really, car park a bit rough and ready, I missed the turn - again - so in a big font please, Charleston Fruit Farm, 100m plus a BIG arrow. Great place.
Oldman River — Google review
We originally just came for lunch but were pleasantly surprised to find a really good craft fair. Although it was really busy the staff were well organised and we got seated very quickly. The food was amazing! The little shop sells all kinda of amazing gifts and food including their fabulous strawberry tarts.
Noctaluca — Google review
Great fun for the whole family. Staff are super friendly, the strawberry picking is brilliant and the play park is amazing for kids. Great coffee shop/restaurant as well.
Jamie Summerton — Google review
A great place for kids and all the family. Tasty food and drinks, beautifully prepared with excellent service. Lovely range of goods in the shop - crafts, toys and food to take home.
Jonee Mackel — Google review
My family had a wonderful brunch here sat right next to an authentic wood stove, perfect for a winter morning. The food was great too! The interior was decorated for Christmas, it had a great gift shop and organically grown produce.
Claire Morrison — Google review
Great wee spot for coffee and cake, service was good and a nice selection of gifts to buy in the shop
Susan Smart — Google review
Returned to a regular old haunt for lunch but found that although there were plenty of staff about there was a distinct lack of organisation? The woman in charge was running around with a clipboard whilst there appeared to be a large number of empty tables to allocate? I had the chilli nachos and the portion size was reasonable and they tasted ok although wasn't over impressed with the Charlteton cheese sauce. Partner had the ploughman's which was plentiful although a selection of cheeses would have been preferable. Overall the meal were reasonable but I feel there is still some improvements to be made to bring it back to the level of the previous owners?
Angus Traveller — Google review
Lovely farm where you can eat fair-priced breakfast and lunch. The eggs, bread, fruits and other ingredients are directly from the farm - they even blend their own coffee! Very child and dog-friendly place with pick-your-own options depending on the season and farm shop. We always go there for brekky when we are around.
Anna-Carina Schmidt — Google review
My family visited Santa's grotto Sunday 10th Dec, it was brilliant. We booked 3 appointments back to back for the three families but we were all allowed in together and we were made to feel very welcome by Santa's elves and Santa was absolutely brilliant, he was really fantastic, taking the time to talk to everyone of us and was great with
the 3 grandchildren. We were not
rushed and got superb photos with Santa. Thank you Charlton for helping our family create a magical first Christmas for our 3 grandchildren.🎅🎄❤️
Heather Stirling — Google review
I adore this place. Berry picking in the summer is fab! Delicious food and the coconut milk latte was to die for. Love shopping in the farm shop. Amazing place to bring kids. Will be back for more.
The Langley Park Gardens are truly breathtaking. They feature formal walled gardens with a variety of shrubs, perennials, and bulbs displayed in stunning borders. The gardens also boast spacious lawns perfect for picnics or taking in the views of Montrose basin. Visitors can explore wild flower meadows via ample walkways and admire a striking monolith on the grounds. Additionally, Langley Park offers a fantastic holiday let for those wishing to stay longer.
Absolutely lovely place to visit for the day. Really lovely owner, couldn't have been any nicer to us. The children had a great time here. The gardens here are beautiful, so many beautiful sites to look at. If you love animals, plants, walking, insects or just nature in general like we do, then you'll enjoy visiting these gardens. Would be a great place for a picnic. The pond/water fountain is full of fish, really amused the children looking at them all. There's a toilet and plenty of parking, just remember to take a drink, you'll need it if you plan on walking around the entire place twice like we did.
Bridget G — Google review
These gardens are truly spectacular. Formal walled gardens with all kinds of shrubs, perennials, bulbs etc in wonderful borders and displays. There are also lawns with ample room for picnics or just resting and enjoying views over Montrose basin. Not to be outdone, there are wild flower meadows too with ample walkways. Also, if monoliths are of interest, there is a fine example here. If you want to holiday here, there is also a fantastic holiday let. Whilst there, we heard Stock Doves and were informed that Red Squirrels often visit. I much preferred this area compared to the NT place further along the road!
Paula Grainger — Google review
Fantastic gardens, would fully recommend a visit. We spent an afternoon there with young kids and still didn't manage to see everything but had a great time. The owners are very friendly and the homemade cakes are not to be missed!
Nathan Bourne — Google review
Marianne and Philip, we adored walking around the tracks that you mowed in your wild meddow, then around the organised walled in garden.
We loved seeing your loose guinea fowl, my JRT was on a lead of course but she sure was thrilled to see the guinea fowl walking and flying around 😆 Along with the rabbits that also crossed our paths, a grouse and a squirrel also shot by, all very thrilling!
Thank you for chatting to us so fully, you made the visit so much more enriching.
Thank you for your info and for feeding the fish just for our entertainment.
The teenage girl with me was most impressed with her first sight of Koi fish, and what whoppers they are too.
Loved your tale of feeding peanut butter sandwiches to the foxes so they keep their chops off your guinea fowl.
Julia Clarke — Google review
What a lovely place, and a fantastic secret garden. Really tranquil. Owners are lovely and worked really hard to convert this house and gardens as the place was left to ruin by previous owners. Well worth the visit and 10% of the price goes to MS charity.
Mike Abel — Google review
Well worth a visit. There is also a bbc podcast on Scotland Outdoors - Langley Park House and Gardens which is very interesting.
Kerry MacIntyre — Google review
Excellent! Great hosts and much to see and do. From Meadowland walks, with standing stone and a pond, to beautiful walled gardens. A must see if ever. Paradise regained!
Mark Chamberlain — Google review
Delightful surprise. Ongoing restoration already at very good standard. 3 walled gardens and wildflower meadow. Owners very welcoming. Recent history of house (no access) and garden is fascinating - a real labour of love - am sure will go from strength to strength. Well worth a visit for keen gardeners and even just a chill out hour in beautiful surroundings. No refreshment facilities but we brought our own and sat on a bench overlooking the wildflower meadow with distant views of the nature reserve basin. Lovely calm atmosphere. Will Def call again when in the area.
Pauline Turner — Google review
Absolutely tranquil serenity
This place is a must visit
Use it or lose it
The hosts are so friendly and I feel very lucky to walk the grounds