The Bentley Priory Battle of Britain Trust
Analysis
The Bentley Priory Battle of Britain Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Stanmore. It was registered in July 2006, 20 years ago. Its declared purposes cover general charitable purposes, education/training, arts/culture/heritage/science and environment/conservation/heritage, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 05639463). It says it provides buildings/facilities/open space, provides services and other charitable activities.
In the financial year ending December 2025, The Bentley Priory Battle of Britain Trust reported income of £323k and spending of £396k, spending 122% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income grew from £252k to £323k (+28%), an average of +6.4% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2023, when income rose by 65%. Over the whole period it spent 120% of the income it received.
Among 17,634 England and Wales charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, The Bentley Priory Battle of Britain Trust sits at the 89th percentile: it is larger than about 89% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 86th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include The Galtres Centre Charity (£323k), The HMS Caroline Preservation Company (£323k) and Rugby Theatre (£323k).
Data notes from the register: Spending has exceeded income in each of the last three reported years, so the charity has been drawing on reserves or other funds.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Other 100%
In the charity's own words
The Bentley Priory Battle of Britain Trust runs Bentley Priory Museum which tells the fascinating story of Bentley Priory, a Grade 2* listed house that was designed by Sir John Soane. The house has a rich history, most famously as the Headquarters of Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain. The museum tells the story of the people who won that Battle and Bentley Priory's broader history.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| The Galtres Centre Charity | York | £323k |
| The HMS Caroline Preservation Company | Europe or rest of world | £323k |
| Rugby Theatre | Rugby | £323k |
| Dash Arts Limited | London | £323k |