Aircraft Spotting at Wales' Airfields and Airports
Spotting locations, viewing areas and advice on access for airports and airfields in Wales. 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
35515 Draken is displayed as the gate guard at Airborne Systems in Llangeinor. Last reported March 2010
VM325 Anson fuselage is stored with the Carew Cheriton Control Tower Group in the northern part of the former Carew airfield. Last reported June 2010
WH739 Canberra nose is stored outside the 2475 ATC on the south side bend of the A483 Pen-Y-Banc Road in Ammanford. Last reported March 2010
WT569 Hunter is stored outside 2117 ATC Croft Goch Road in Kenfig Hill. Last reported March 2010
XG592 Whirlwind is at Task Force Paintball just west of Cowbridge. If the gate is closed and the paintballing shut, park up and walk the track which then turns north into the woods. Follow the track up the hill turning left. From here you approach a fort, a little to the right and down the slope again can be found the Whirlwind. Last reported March 2010
XS735 Dominie fuselage is stored at Absolute Adventure near Craig-y-Nos, Powys. Last reported May 2010
Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report
Spotting Info
Between the A40 and the B4598, just a mile south of Abergavenny town. Entrance is off the B4598.
Last reported October 2009. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report
CAERNARFON-LLANDWROG AIRFIELD, GWYNEDD - TWR 122.25
Spotting Info
Head south out of Caernarfon town on A487. After about 3 miles, turn onto A499 at the roundabout. From there, follow the signs for Dinas Dinile and Caernarfon Airport and the airfield is just north of here. The flying clubs here are very friendly, ask for access to their hangars. Also the home of Caernarfon Aviation Museum, entrance costs £4.50 with XL618 Hunter displayed outside.
Caernarfon Air Park & Caernarfon Air World
Last reported August 2010. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report
CARDIFF-TREMORFA HELIPORT, GLAMORGAN - TWR 120.65
Spotting Info
Head west on M4, come off at J29 and head southwest on A48(M) to Cardiff city centre. After the motorway part ends (after 2 miles), take the third exit (a further 2.5 miles) and turn left at the roundabout on to A4161 signed Cardiff Docks. Take middle or right lane (I forget which) to go over the flyover and at the next roundabout go straight over. Follow this road until you reach the main dock gates and turn left just before it. Should be signed Heliport and it's at the end of this road on the left.
Last reported February 2007. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report
Spotting Info
Southwest of Cardiff, head west out of Barry on A4226 and follow the signs to the airport. No places to stop at the terminal but a quick drive round should net you one or two that are parked near the fence. The popular Rhoose Flying Club Cafe & Bar is on Roose Road on the south side of the airport. Follow the RSVP signs from the terminal area. The flying club has closed down but the bar is still accessible by going through the gate marked Beer Garden and proceeding up the stairs and through the double sliding doors. It's an excellent place to stop for food and drink and watch the movements. The owners Nigel and Kim are very friendly but you must purchase food and drink to use their facilities. Actions of a couple of spotters have been nothing short of disgusting - DO NOT bring your own food and DO NOT use the plug sockets for your laptops, SBS' etc. Great views from the cafe balcony and good for photos too.
Cardiff-Wales Airport Spotters Email Group, Rhoose Flying Club Cafe & Bar, South Wales Aviation Group Blog
For airport parking visit
Last reported February 2010. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report
Spotting Info
Head north out of Oswestry on A5. After 5.5 miles, going past the village of Chirk, at the A5/A483 roundabout, turn right and at the next roundabout turn right. This takes you back under the A5 and Ley Farm is on the left immediately after the A5. Entrance is either here or take the next left and it's on the left. Very friendly, ask for permission. If no one around, knock on the owner's door, usually happy to show you round. On Sundays and Bank Holidays they host a large car boot sale with free admission. From April-October the museum hangar is open for the car boot sales and is free to look round.
Last reported August 2010. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report
Spotting Info
Just north of Haverfordwest town alongside the A40. On arrival make sure you don't park in any reserved spaces, they are clearly marked. There is a DSA test centre here with reserved spaces that are frequently being used by members of the public. Friendly, ask in clubhouse or tower for access to the hangars - walk towards the green control tower, you can't miss it! As you walk towards it on your right will be a shutter, and next to that is a little door. Head through that door and it's the the first door on your left. There is nearly always someone in there on the radio, but if you go during the week they will be in the control tower. Ask a member of staff, they should be happy to let you go airside. You'll need a hi-Viz jacket to walk around, (if you don't have your own you can borrow one for your time airside) and make sure you report back to the office when you are leaving. Most of the time all the hangars are open and, in the maintenance hangars, if there are aircraft with registrations missing, the staff in the hangars will provide you with the reg. If the maintenance hangar is shut, there's a small door on the side which is unlocked if someone is inside. Open it and ask for access, they are usually happy for you to walk round as long as you don't touch anything. The area that has the Spitfire on rebuild has a collection tin there for the restoration project. Donations are much appreciated, especially as you've been allowed round the airfield. There is also a very nice cafe on site called the Propellers Cafe, serving meals all day ranging from sandwiches to full English breakfasts, drinks etc.
EGFE Movements
Last reported June 2010. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report
Spotting Info
Just west of Chester off the A5104.
1 - In Broughton on the south perimeter head west on the B5125 towards Hawarden village. The airfield is on your right, the crash gate almost immediately on your right at the runway end gives views of the tower ramp, the Beluga ramp plus distant (but readable) views of one end of Raytheon plus Hawarden Air Services. Park on the grass so as not to block the crash gate or if other cars are there, park down Wood Lane on the left and walk back.
2 - Carry on the B5125 towards Hawarden village and turn right at the next roundabout onto Manor Lane, signed B5129 Sandycroft and Hawarden Industrial Estate. At the next roundabout turn right onto Manor Road, go straight on past the Arriva bus depot on the left and turn right at the next roundabout. This goes up to a dead end by a substation building, from here you can see most of the ramp between the Raytheon hangars. You can also turn left at this estate roundabout for other views. This estate gives the best views over the airport but building work continues so be careful where you park.
3 - Go back to the Manor Lane/Manor Road roundabout and turn right. On the right outside ATC Unit 2247 is XE852 Vampire on display. Carry on and go straight over the next roundabout and the A380 wing facility will be on your right. Park by a gate to a field on the left then walk down the road past the A380 building. From here any remaining items on the Raytheon ramp can be read. You can cross the field - climb over the fence or hedge just after the Airbus A380 wing facility and walk up to the airfield perimeter fence here but normally everything can be seen from the verge. Be aware that crossing the field sometimes draws the attention of the security.
4 - Back to the car and carry on down the road past the A380 building, cross the railway bridge and park in one of the pull ins on the left. A walk along the road may reveal anything in the first Raytheon hangar if the doors are open, plus anything which was parked nose on from the other areas. Also the Russian fighters and any other bits in the Aviateknik compound may be seen behind Hawarden Air Services from the bridge, though probably just Su17s "35 red" and "54 red" are left now. The An2s are in the hangar and can be seen if the doors are open though you might be able to see two fuselages from the road. Contact Hawarden Air Services prior to your visit as you may be able to arrange a tour.
5 - Continue along this road away from the bridge and pull over when the road turns sharply left. This gives a view straight down the runway and of Raytheon again.
Hawarden Spotters, Hawarden-Chester Airport
Last reported July 2010. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report
Spotting Info
About 3 miles north of Usk village on the right of the B4598. The Tank School, also located at the strip, is well signposted. Friendly, ask for access.
Last reported October 2010. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report
MARGAM-OLD PARK FARM AIRFIELD, GLAMORGAN
Spotting Info
From the M4 at Junction 38, take the A48 towards Pyle and after about a mile turn right onto Old Park road, though it's little more than a track. Fork left and follow it right to the end for the strip. This airfield is completely enclosed within PRIVATE farm land. Virtually all the residents are hangared and very little will be seen without permission to enter the sheep fields to get to the strip, and only
then if the hangars are open. Friendly, ask at the farmhouse for access.
Last reported September 2010. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report
MONA AIRFIELD, ANGLESEY
Spotting Info
East of Gwalchmai village on the A5 and signposted. Ask at the flying club for access, they are friendly.
Last reported August 2010. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report
RHIGOS AIRFIELD, POWYS
Spotting Info
Head southwest through the village and after half a mile you'll reach a sharp right hand bend. Continue round and past the left hand turn to Cwmhwnt and the strip is on the left. Friendly, ask for access.
Last reported September 2008. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report
RHOS HILL-RHOS Y GILWEN FARM AIRFIELD, PEMBROKESHIRE
Spotting Info
Heading north on the A478 into Rhos Hill village, turn right at the crossroads to Cilgerran. After around half a mile turn right down a narrow road, then past some buildings on the right and past a right turn. You'll then pass a house on the right, fork right immediately after it down a track. Follow this and as it bends round to the right, turn left and follow for the strip and hangar.
Last reported June 2009. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report
RHUALLT-EMLYN'S STRIP AIRFIELD, DENBIGHSHIRE
Spotting Info
From Rhedyn Coch below, back on A55 heading east and come off at the next junction. As soon as you come off the A55 heading north, take the very first left turn and follow it around the back of the house
to run parallel with the A55 to the end. Through the gates and up the track to the hangar/lock ups in the next field at the top. Emlyn is very friendly ask for access.
Last reported September 2007. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report
RHUALLT-RHEDYN COCH AIRFIELD, DENBIGHSHIRE
Spotting Info
Exit the A55 at Junction 29 and turn left to Cwm, following the Caravan Park sign. On passing the caravan Park (Penisar Mynydd), take the next left after about 400m, then bear to the left, following the road for around 300m, where you will find the entrance to the field on the left. Now this strip is owned by the same chap who has Rhuallt-Emlyn's Field just a mile down the road. There are three small hangars here, the first is through a path and holds flexwings, then around the corner at the bottom of the field are two fixed wings. Friendly, ask for access as the stored PA18 is locked away at the house. For Emlyn's, get back on A55 heading east and come off at the next junction, then see above.
Last reported September 2007. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report
St. ATHAN AIRFIELD, GLAMORGAN
Spotting Info
Follow the B4265 Llantwit Major road, don't go to St Athan village, keep on to Llantwit Major. The field is on your right over a rail track. After you drive over the railway, take the next right, a narrow road over a small bridge and follow lane to the T Junction. Turn left and it runs up to south perimeter fence. As you go up the lane, the hangars on the right house the Harrier unit, the Grobs are kept in the black hangars to the right of these and across the runway. Views aren't great though as the far side disappears in a dip. XS180 Jet Provost fuselage, ZA144 VC10 cockpit, 162737 AV8B cockpit, BCWR Islander fuselage, XZ646 Lynx cabin, XZ209 Lynx are stored outside the JARTS hangar on the southside for crash rescue training. As you get to the T junction mentioned above, they are straight ahead and a little to the left, just the other side of the fence. XZ993 Harrier fuselage is also stored here but travels around the country for crash rescue training.
South Wales Aviation Group
Last reported February 2010. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report
SWANSEA AIRFIELD, GLAMORGAN - TWR 119.7
Spotting Info
On A4118 west of city, follow the signs. First hangar on left is Bond Air Services (I think), the next belongs to the flying club and up the top is the main terminal and car park. You can try asking for access at Horizon Flying Club but recently it's often been denied. Two owners, very friendly, if they grant access they'll give you a high viz jacket and escort you round their hangar and the aircraft parked on the grass. If you don't get access, providing the hangars are open, you can log most from the airport fence.
Last reported March 2010. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report
TALGARTH AIRFIELD, POWYS
Spotting Info
Head north out of Pengenffordd village and take the next right. Turn left at the T junction and take the very next right. Entrance is about a mile on the left on a fairly sharp right bend and signposted. Ask for access, very friendly gliding club.
Black Mountains Gliding Club
Last reported May 2009. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report
USK AIRFIELD, MONMOUTHSHIRE
Spotting Info
Take the Usk exit from the A449 and follow the signs for Chepstow just after the slip road. After about a mile the road turns sharply right, with a smaller road going straight on. take this road and the airfield is about 3/4 of a mile on the left. Friendly, ask for access.
South Wales Gliding Club
Last reported October 2010. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report
WELSHPOOL-TREHELIG AIRFIELD, POWYS - TWR 128.0
Spotting Info
Head south out of town on the A490. At the large roundabout head straight over, 2nd exit, to stay on the A490 and after a large field the airfield is on the right. Friendly, ask for access at control and once you've signed in you should be able to walk around.
Mid Wales Airport
Last reported June 2010. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report
