Seething Airfield: worth a visit
Not so N, but still FG
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Seething Airfield: worth a visit
Yesterday I popped into Seething Airfield in Norfolk after a jolly trip from North Weald, dodging thunderstorms along the way. I have rhapsodised here before about the splendours of GA flying in East Anglia, and Seething is another reason for flying there (alas, Swanton Morley and Little Snoring appear to have closed, at least to visitors). Seething is owned by a private flying group. I’ve been to other places operated by groups, but normally they are, understandably, a bit tatty. The Seething Group clearly have some cash and are prepared to spend it. Smooth runway (24/06), very tidy apron and taxiways, modern clubhouse. IO540, I bet you’d like this place. Several shiny kitted-up aeroplanes on their own carousels in a pristine hangar. It reminded me a little of the well maintained but deserted Fowlmere, although Seething has better buildings. It would be unfair of me to say that there was no atmosphere, as it was a wet weekday afternoon, with one chap selling fuel and another enjoying a solitary beer in the unstaffed bar, although it would have been nice to have been invited to make myself a coffee. Presumably the place generates a bit of a buzz at the weekend.
Thjere's apparently a memorial to the US Airmen who served at Seething in the old (and seemingly well preserved) Watch Office/Control Tower on the far side of the field.
I also visited Beccles, five minutes flying to the south east of Seething, and another ex WW2 bomber station, but there was nobody there. I hope that the landing fee I stuffed into the door jamb didn't blow away.
Another one for the log books: Enstone, Oxfordshire. One airfield, two clubs. One sells landings, the other sells fuel. Completely different set up and atmosphere at each. I won’t say which of the two is more fun.
Thjere's apparently a memorial to the US Airmen who served at Seething in the old (and seemingly well preserved) Watch Office/Control Tower on the far side of the field.
I also visited Beccles, five minutes flying to the south east of Seething, and another ex WW2 bomber station, but there was nobody there. I hope that the landing fee I stuffed into the door jamb didn't blow away.
Another one for the log books: Enstone, Oxfordshire. One airfield, two clubs. One sells landings, the other sells fuel. Completely different set up and atmosphere at each. I won’t say which of the two is more fun.
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FNG
Sorry you didn't have a welcoming party at Seething but as it is a self help sort of place it tends to be quite empty during weekdays with only the engineering operation on the field present (and supporting the bar!). The best weekday is wednesday which tends to be quite busy.
Saturdays is training day and it is very lively.
Sunday is a club day and the number of people there is related to the weather although I and one or two other sad gits are there most Sundays.
Maybe you saw some of the air to air pics we do on the wall.
Please visit again but if you want food and drink make it Wed / Sat / Sun.
Sorry you didn't have a welcoming party at Seething but as it is a self help sort of place it tends to be quite empty during weekdays with only the engineering operation on the field present (and supporting the bar!). The best weekday is wednesday which tends to be quite busy.
Saturdays is training day and it is very lively.
Sunday is a club day and the number of people there is related to the weather although I and one or two other sad gits are there most Sundays.
Maybe you saw some of the air to air pics we do on the wall.
Please visit again but if you want food and drink make it Wed / Sat / Sun.
PPruNaholic!
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I went to Seething, and formationfoto took these lovely pictures of me: http://members.lycos.co.uk/andyhardyuk/G-ODAK/
I agree it is a great little place to visit!
Andy
I agree it is a great little place to visit!
Andy
Not so N, but still FG
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formationfoto, I wasn't complaining, as it was a very quiet day (the friendly fuel bloke told me that mine was the first aircraft to use the field that day) . You might consider putting up a sign saying "help yourself to coffee," with an honesty box inviting people to pop in a quid or so. I shall visit again at a weekend.
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Which other airfields in East Anglia are good to visit? We're thinking of doing some airfield hoppng in that area this Friday and Saturday. Any recommendations for an overnight stay?
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Whirly
Cromer Northrepps is also a must visit. You won't meet a more helpful and enthusiastic person than Chris Gurney. Chris sorted out excellent B&B for 16 of our club over Easter and wouldn't take payment for over night parking. A top bloke and a lovely field.
BS
Cromer Northrepps is also a must visit. You won't meet a more helpful and enthusiastic person than Chris Gurney. Chris sorted out excellent B&B for 16 of our club over Easter and wouldn't take payment for over night parking. A top bloke and a lovely field.
BS
Not so N, but still FG
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Whirlybird, I am pretty sure that Swanton Morley and Little Snoring are now closed to visitors, which is a shame as both are pleasant and in good locations. Weybourne is fun (departure over the low cliffs). Langham is expensive, but has interesting aircraft (lots of Moths being refurbished there). Shipdham is friendly but pretty basic. I have not yet tried Felthorpe and Great Massingham. Old Buck useful for fuel and a sandwich. I will PM you with a suggestion for a farmstrip overnighter in Nelson country.
Stik, I'll PM you also.
Stik, I'll PM you also.
Last edited by FNG; 21st Apr 2004 at 15:14.
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Here's another vote for Seething - I visited a couple of weeks ago for the first time and was impressed with the place. (Hello formationfofo, I'm guessing I met you that day too!)
Northrepps is a fine airfield also; very friendly and Chris is an excellent host.
Northrepps is a fine airfield also; very friendly and Chris is an excellent host.
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Futur
Indeed we did! - your Chipmunk driver.
Whirly
East Anglia getting a bit short of airfields with some closures as mentioned but I would certainly have Old Buck on my list though I think if you are planning to hover there you can't. I would have Cromer on the list as Chris is heli friendly and from memory Fenland are also heli friendly.
If you you want you can land in my back garden (I have put an R22 and a B2B in there and good approach from the South) - am just north of Hardwick which is around 4 miles to the South West of Seething. Will be there Friday early evening and Saturday (01508 534900 / 07802 611647is the No if you want to drop in for a coffee and I can give you GPS co-ords)
If you are thinking of doing f/w then the options are greater and i would reinstate Old Buckenham. Beccles is also a possibility.
If you are not looking for lots of activity then Felthorpe and Priory Farm.
Brief write up on some of these in one of the mags a few months ago (I wrote the article).
For overnight B+B is your best option and I know there are one or two around Seething, Chris can also suggest some near Cromer.
AA
Just checked out the photo link and reminded myself of the sortie. Was it really Oct 02?. Isn\'t it about time you came over again to do some more pics?.
Since your visit we did some good stuff of the Britannia (TUI) group fleet in formation.
And to give credit where credit is due the photographer wasn\'t me but a couple of other guys who I hang around with who enjoy doing this stuff. They don\'t trust me to take good photos I just sit in the subject aircraft and can be seen peering out of G-ODAK.
Indeed we did! - your Chipmunk driver.
Whirly
East Anglia getting a bit short of airfields with some closures as mentioned but I would certainly have Old Buck on my list though I think if you are planning to hover there you can't. I would have Cromer on the list as Chris is heli friendly and from memory Fenland are also heli friendly.
If you you want you can land in my back garden (I have put an R22 and a B2B in there and good approach from the South) - am just north of Hardwick which is around 4 miles to the South West of Seething. Will be there Friday early evening and Saturday (01508 534900 / 07802 611647is the No if you want to drop in for a coffee and I can give you GPS co-ords)
If you are thinking of doing f/w then the options are greater and i would reinstate Old Buckenham. Beccles is also a possibility.
If you are not looking for lots of activity then Felthorpe and Priory Farm.
Brief write up on some of these in one of the mags a few months ago (I wrote the article).
For overnight B+B is your best option and I know there are one or two around Seething, Chris can also suggest some near Cromer.
AA
Just checked out the photo link and reminded myself of the sortie. Was it really Oct 02?. Isn\'t it about time you came over again to do some more pics?.
Since your visit we did some good stuff of the Britannia (TUI) group fleet in formation.
And to give credit where credit is due the photographer wasn\'t me but a couple of other guys who I hang around with who enjoy doing this stuff. They don\'t trust me to take good photos I just sit in the subject aircraft and can be seen peering out of G-ODAK.
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I second bar shaker's endorsement of Cromer and of Chris Gurney. There's a web site for the field here - worth a look for the photo of the international terminal alone.
It's perhaps not quite at the centre of the known world, but it's a great little spot with a friendly welcome, plus you have some very nice flying over the north Norfolk coast and the Broads.
Another good spot close by is Weybourne, where you can park the aircraft within yards of the beach.
It's perhaps not quite at the centre of the known world, but it's a great little spot with a friendly welcome, plus you have some very nice flying over the north Norfolk coast and the Broads.
Another good spot close by is Weybourne, where you can park the aircraft within yards of the beach.
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Which other airfields in East Anglia are good to visit? We're thinking of doing some airfield hoppng in that area this Friday and Saturday. Any recommendations for an overnight stay?
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I found the details of the B&B we stayed at.
Shrublands Farm
For anyone going up that way, its thoroughly recommended and a only a few minutes walk from the airfield.
Shrublands Farm
For anyone going up that way, its thoroughly recommended and a only a few minutes walk from the airfield.
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This is my East Anglia impressions
Great Massingham - Nothing there
Old Buckenhams - Good airfield and cafe
Beccles - Very Quite
Little Snoring - It was open last summer but very quiet
Norwich - Very good and well run airport. Not expensive either.
Seething - Agree with all the good comments
Swanton Morley - Was a nice little airfield, shame if its not open
Fenland -Top little airfield with good amenities.
Still got to get to Shipdham, Langham and
North Denes (international).
Great Massingham - Nothing there
Old Buckenhams - Good airfield and cafe
Beccles - Very Quite
Little Snoring - It was open last summer but very quiet
Norwich - Very good and well run airport. Not expensive either.
Seething - Agree with all the good comments
Swanton Morley - Was a nice little airfield, shame if its not open
Fenland -Top little airfield with good amenities.
Still got to get to Shipdham, Langham and
North Denes (international).
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Blind Lemon
I think you will find Denes is only open to rotary traffic and although I am not absolutely sure on this second point I think only to company traffic.
I know that a Jodel pops in and out of there sometimes but that is part owned by one of their training captains (I also have a part share in it).
My Brantly B2B part (not sure which bit I own) is also in and out of there but again part owned by the same company pilot.
Langham is certainly worth a visit just for the fun of it and Ludham for the hangar at the end of the runway causing you to focus on not getting your klanding distances wrong.
Haven't been to Shipdham for a while but a shadow of its former self.
Whirly
Please tell - where did you end up going after this request - and what were your views on the fields visited?
I think you will find Denes is only open to rotary traffic and although I am not absolutely sure on this second point I think only to company traffic.
I know that a Jodel pops in and out of there sometimes but that is part owned by one of their training captains (I also have a part share in it).
My Brantly B2B part (not sure which bit I own) is also in and out of there but again part owned by the same company pilot.
Langham is certainly worth a visit just for the fun of it and Ludham for the hangar at the end of the runway causing you to focus on not getting your klanding distances wrong.
Haven't been to Shipdham for a while but a shadow of its former self.
Whirly
Please tell - where did you end up going after this request - and what were your views on the fields visited?
