Aircraft Spotting at Gloucestershire's Airfields and Airports
Spotting locations, viewing areas and advice on access for airports and airfields in Gloucestershire. Use the hotlinks above or scroll down for spotting information on spotting locations, airfield hangar access, aviation museums, preserved aircraft. Plus all the information has been plotted as Points of Interest and can be downloaded to your SatNavs and Google Earth to make planning your spotting trips abroad so much easier and helping you log many more
VW453 Meteor is preserved inside Innsworth base. Not visible from the main gate, it may be possible to see it by driving along Frog Furlong Lane and looking through the foliage on the right, or over the fence if it's blocked out. Last reported June 2010
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ASTON DOWN AIRFIELD
Spotting Info
Off the A419 Stroud-Cirencester. From Cirencester, after about 6 miles you will come to a crossroads - the right turn heading to Frampton Mansell. Take the slip road off the A419 but instead of turning left, drive straight over and follow this to the gliding site. Follow the road round the perimeter keeping a good look out for gliders and aircraft as you cross the threshold of the runway. Very friendly here. Ask in the clubhouse for access to the hangars and they may give you instructions on driving over to the launch area - check all the buildings as there are some stored gliders tucked away. Beyond the clubhouse are lots of trailer boxes and beyond those are individual hangars with gaps and maybe some parked outside as well.
Cotswold Gliding Club Website
Last reported August 2010. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report
BRISTOL-FILTON AIRPORT - TWR 132.35, APP 122.725
Spotting Info
On the A38, north of Bristol. The golf course has views of the (ex-)MK Airlines hangar - with the airport on your right, turn right (3rd exit) at the next roundabout onto the B4056/Southmead Road, get in the right hand lane and turn right at the first set of lights. Park in the golf course car park and you'll see a pathway between the club buildings, signed for the first tee and practice area. Follow the gravel path around to the right and it will curl round to the left and around the first tee. This path is mapped in the Spotting in UK Download. Walk across the grass to the fence and you can look down on to the apron behind the hangar - you are walking across a fairway for practice shots which may be in use, keep a good look out. If it's overgrown you can walk up and down to peer through gaps, or there are well-worn if very steep paths down to the fence, please take care. Back to the A38 and head north towards the airport. There are various bus stops and lay-bys to pull in for views - it's much better if there are at least two of you so one can remain with the car in case you are moved on and DO NOT block the bus stops. As you pass the runway threshold, exit the A38 and stay in the left hand lane. Fork left and pull over by the fence just beyond the give way point but way before the Royal Mail security gate. Don't stay here long as they don't like you parking here and you will be moved on but you should have enough time to read off whatever you can see here and then rejoin the A38 headed north. By now you have a good idea of what, if any, you still need to read off - right at the northern end of the airport is a crash gate that you can park next to for your last view - from here you can also see into the Spitfire hangars if they are open. Don't forget the police helicopter parked by the tower.
Last reported August 2010. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report
CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE HELIPAD
Spotting Info
The helipad is on the northeast perimeter of the racecourse. There are several fields that operate as car parks for £5 a car. All being well, one tour will be running each day, usually at 2pm on the dot, for a small donation. The helicopters park a couple of hundred yards away and are accessible. They allow walk rounds after the last helicopter has landed. Access to the heliport has been possible by car in recent years by going into the official "Race Traffic" car park situated by the railway line on Southam Lane, north of the racecourse. Recently it has been blocked but you could still walk through after parking the car in this official car park. The charge for this car park is £10 but if you politely put it to the staff taking the money that you have no interest in the horses and have just come to see the helicopters, they may let you off altogether. Otherwise there are some car parks (farmers fields) along Southam Lane charging just £5 or you could find somewhere to park for free in Southam and accept a longer walk. You can see the windsock from the farmers car parks, and you can walk down the road towards the racecourse and official car park. There is a small pedestrian entrance into the field on the left in the dip in the road. Keep the hedge on your right for about 30 yards and then you'll come across the gravel car track towards the helicopter control and fire service.
Last reported March 2010. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report
DOYNTON-ROOKERY FARM AIRFIELD
Spotting Info
In the centre of Doynton village, turn northwest on to High Street and go over the river. The road then immediately bends left. You need to carry straight on (and slightly to the right,
NOT right turn in to Mill Lane) and in to Rookery Lane. Ignore the first road on the right that doubles back, carry on up the road and the track that leads to the strip is on the right. Ask in cabin for access to hangar.
Last reported July 2005. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report
ENGLISH BICKNOR-SPENCE AIRFIELD
Spotting Info
Take the A4136 Coleford-Upper Lydbrook road and turn off towards English Bicknor. After a mile or so there is a left turn to the village. Fork right and you'll pass a brick wall on the right. Immediately after that there is a gate on the right. Go through but remember to shut the gate as sheep graze in this field. Drive slowly, mind the sheep, and if it's been raining recently be careful where you drive as you might get stuck. Follow the track round the field and to the left, through the next gate, shutting it behind you and turn right. Follow this track all the way round to the left and you'll pass the first hangar on the right. Down and to the left you'll see more hangars. Ask in the clubhouse down here for access, very friendly. It's best to ring in advance though, as the owners will often meet you and open up the hangars.
Last reported December 2005. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report
FAIRFORD AIR BASE
Spotting Info
South of Fairford village and signposted. The best views across the base are from Kempsford Road on the eastern perimeter, where there are a few places to pull in. Home of the Royal International Air Tattoo, a huge military air show that takes place over a summer weekend annually. Most of the aircraft stay until the following Monday, 'departures day', where from roughly 9am you can watch them depart over the next few hours. Several fields overlooking the base are open and allow parking and viewing for the day for a small fee. Grandstand tickets for departures day are also available, from where you can sit inside the base with an obstructed view for logging or photographing the movements.
Last reported July 2010. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report
FROGLAND CROSS-GRANGE FARM AIRFIELD
Spotting Info
Frogland Cross is on the B4427 that runs from Rudgeway (on the A38), south to Winterbourne. The strip is to the west of this road, along a track that goes off to the west, just after passing through the village. It's virtually inaccessible by road as it involves driving through fields on different peoples land. If you fly in, the owner is friendly and allows access, with prior permission of course.
Last reported August 2006. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report
KEMBLE/COTSWOLD AIRPORT - TWR 118.9
Spotting Info
Alongside the A429 just to the west of Kemble village though the entrance is off the A433. One or two signposts lead towards the southern entrance which is for the Bristol Aero Collection only. Travelling west on the A433 the road bends right with a track forking left/straight on. Turn down here and follow for the airfield. As you drive up to the entrance keep looking left for views of the scrapping area. You can pull over here to stop very briefly, but don't hang around. Follow the road and you'll pass the airliner overflow/storage on the left and a few small light aircraft hangars (Google Earth image is out of date!) before you get to the Delta Jets hangars (again image out of date!). Follow the road towards the control tower, car park and AV8 restaurant (recommended) and you'll pass the Aero Club hangars on the right - you can try asking for hangar access here but I think it'll be refused. From the fence line here you can see across the runway to the stored Hunters area with the Chevron hangars and 146s to the right. You can also ask in the Tower for access to walk on the grass if you're interested in photos and will give you a chance to look into the Delta Jets hangars if they are open. If granted you will need a hi-viz jacket. As you drive away turn left just after the Delta Jets hangars and follow the road round to the stored Britannia XM496. On the first and third Sunday of each month the aircraft is normally open and staffed between approximately 12.30 and 4.00. There is no charge for entry but donations are welcome - having done this myself I can strongly recommend it as the volunteers have done and continue to do an excellent job. Driving past the Britannia will give you a different view of the stored 146s. For the Bristol Aero Collection access is via the main southern gate. Just let them know at the security office and you'll be given a map for you to follow to the musem. Open Mondays all year round and Sundays during the summer, check their website for opening times and further details.
Kemble Enthusiasts Website, Kemble Photography Spots
Last reported October 2010. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report
LITTLE RISSINGTON AIRFIELD
Spotting Info
Head south out of Upper Rissington, entrance is on the left as you pass the airfield. If the Devonair gate is locked then there's no one at the airfield and there's no access from the industrial estate. It's best to contact them in advance via the website below to arrange a visit. Friendly, ask in the office in the first hangar for access. 637VGS are also based here. If you contact them in advance they are usually happy to accommodate your visit.
Devonair
Last reported October 2010. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report
MORETON-IN-MARSH (TRAINING ESTABLISHMENT)
Spotting Info
When in town, head east on A44 and it's on the left. Could be signposted for Fire Training Establishment or similar. I don't know if access is possible but assume no. Head north out of the village centre on the A429 and take a right immediately after the railway bridge onto Todenham Road. Any views to be had are about half a mile up this lane on the right. If you reach a crossroads you've gone too far. Some squinting through gaps in hedges may be required for views of JP XM404 (parked towards the northern end of the northeast-southwest runway), the 'crashed' Hunter WT804, XP150 Wessex (next to each other close to Todenham Road) and the Viscount G-BAPF (eastern perimeter). As you continue north along Todenham Road you'll reach a crossroads at the end of the northern boundary, if you can turn right here down a track, it will take you past the Viscount and afford different views across the college. Also presumed based here in various states are G-AZDZ C172, G-BKRD C172, G-BPJT PA28 wings only, XP680 JP fuselage and XS598 Andover fuselage - some are probably indoors somewhere, others get moved around the base and hidden in obscure places, trees, ditches, to make training more difficult.
Last reported December 2009. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report
NYMPSFIELD AIRFIELD
Spotting Info
On B4066 2 miles west of Woodchester. Friendly, ask for access. A hi-viz jacket is required and a member must escort you out onto the field.
Bristol & Gloucester Gliding Club
Last reported August 2010. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report
OVER-OVER FARM AIRFIELD
Spotting Info
Head west out of Gloucester on the A40. On the dual carriageway, pass the Toby Carvery and Over Farm Market and there is very soon afterwards a gap in the central reservation which gives access to a track leading to the farm. Very friendly, ask for access to the hangars.
Last reported June 2010. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report
RENDCOMB AIRFIELD
Spotting Info
To the east of a minor road that runs north from Cirencester to Withington. Enthusiasts are not welcome here.
Last reported July 2008. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report
Spotting Info
Off J11, M5 and follow signs. Airport and flying club all easily viewed. If the airport is on your right, the flying club is the first entrance and WH364 Meteor is the guard here. Not a great view of the flying club itself but you get a different angle of what's over at the terminal and hangars. Next entrance on the right is the main entrance. XH903 Javelin is preserved at the entrance. There is a cafe - The Aviator - opposite the terminal. The view from here is ok, as is the view from the grass area beside it. There is no access onto the airfield, but easy viewing at various points around the perimeter fence, just follow the road round for various pull ins, parking areas etc. I don't think there is anywhere you can't go that doesn't have a barrier or a gate. There are around 25 hangars in total which is where most of the 160-170 residents live plus around 20 on maintenance at any one time. Different hangars are open depending on whether it's a weekday or the weekend. Asking in the various clubs may get you access to their respective hangars but I haven't tried this yet - most are friendly if you show an interest, please let me know if you have any luck. For a slightly different view and to log the various stored military aircraft, turn left out of the main entrance and head back towards the motorway. You will see an industrial estate and the military aircraft on your left - WF784 Meteor (complete) next to the nose of XM569 Vulcan, plus the fuselages of WL349 Meteor and N2138J Canberra marked as WK126/843 in a separate part. Follow this road for a different view and to see in the terminal hangar which often houses biz.
Airport Tours
Escorted tours of Staverton airport are possible thanks to Keith Wilson and a donation to the Help the Heroes charity is required, along with photo ID. Anyone who has recently visited Staverton will know, not only how rare it is that an airport in the UK will provide airside tours, but that there are so many hangars housing the residents that these tours really are excellent and will see you make many more frames. Midweek is often better than weekends as more hangars are usually open. If the hangars are shut, you won't be able to get round them. Please remember to be polite at all times, this is a favour that Keith is doing for us all, do not abuse these privileges. It is with caution that I include these details and I will not hesitate to remove them if spotters start causing problems. Contact Keith to arrange a tour, if he can accommodate you he will, but please follow the procedures and be flexible for him, not the other way around. Remember it's a favour for you. If you can't make the tour for whatever reason, please let him know as soon as you can to avoid wasting his time.
Spotting Info
Head north out of Chipping Sodbury on B4060 and after Yate Rocks turn right at the crossroads down Mapleridge Lane towards Horton. The road bends right and the strip is just up on the left.
Last reported March 2007. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report
