The newly refurbished Spitfire Café at IWM Duxford has officially opened, marking the next chapter in an ongoing programme to reimagine café spaces across the Imperial War Museums five renowned venues.

Delivered in close partnership with Imperial War Museums and CDS Wilman, the project continues a shared ambition to create hospitality environments that feel closely connected to the stories within each site, spaces that enhance the overall visitor experience rather than sit alongside it.

The café draws on this rich aviation heritage, with the core design inspired by the RAF roundel. Bold colours and graphics run throughout the café interiors, giving it a clear identity that nods to its historic roots, whilst remaining a contemporary, accessible and family-friendly space.

A refreshed food and drink offer has been introduced, with a focus on family-centric dishes and products, including toasties, jacket potatoes and pizzas. The offer has been designed to support a wide range of visitors, from families spending the day exploring Duxford to aviation enthusiasts looking for a relaxed place to pause and refuel.

This latest opening builds on the successful transformation of the café at IWM London last year, where a story-led approach to design and menu development created a space inspired by the heritage of East London. Together, these projects reflect a long-term vision to ensure each café across the Imperial War Museums estate has its own identity, shaped by the location it serves.

The programme is set to continue, with the next refurbishment already underway at Churchill War Rooms. The new Switch Room Café is due to open soon, drawing inspiration from the historic setting of the underground headquarters and further exploring how hospitality spaces can quietly echo the narratives of the museums.