Best airfields in UK for flying to and hiking around?

[bodemory]

Hi all,

I am trying to compile a list of airfields that are nice to fly to (with grass strips preferably!) and that offer access to nearby trails. I am more specifically interested in Southern England but I would like to compile a list here for the whole country as a reference. Here are three easy ones to start with:

- Sandown (EGHN)
- Bembridge (EGHJ)
- Compton Abbas (EGHA)

I will edit the list as new suggestions arise.

Thanks!

Brice

[matspart3]

Gloucester (EGBJ) - The Glevum way, which joins the Cotswold Way goes past the airfield boundary. Literally hundreds of miles of beautiful tracks and trails within yards of the Terminal.

[BackPacker]

Excellent idea. Could you, for the benefit of the people who are not equipped with detailed topographical knowledge of the UK (me) also include in what sort of general area/nature reserve/national park the airfield is located, and/or the names of nearby trails? That would make a follow-up search so much easier.

My own small contribution would be that Carlisle and Newcastle are within relatively easy walking distance of the Hadrians wall and -trail, but I have no idea how welcoming these are to GA.

Furthermore Leeds Bradford was pretty convenient for getting access to the Yorkshire Dales and the south end of the Pennine Way, although it's not quite on the trail. You'll need to get a taxi or public transport to get on the trail itself. Again though, we flew there commercially and I have no idea how GA friendly they are.

[oldspool]

Goodwood.

At the foot of the South Downs, lots of walks/trails. Can walk from airfield up Trundle Hill and from there you have lots of options.

[Pilotage]

Originally Posted by BackPacker

Excellent idea. Could you, for the benefit of the people who are not equipped with detailed topographical knowledge of the UK (me) also include in what sort of general area/nature reserve/national park the airfield is located, and/or the names of nearby trails? That would make a follow-up search so much easier.

My own small contribution would be that Carlisle and Newcastle are within relatively easy walking distance of the Hadrians wall and -trail, but I have no idea how welcoming these are to GA.

Furthermore Leeds Bradford was pretty convenient for getting access to the Yorkshire Dales and the south end of the Pennine Way, although it's not quite on the trail. You'll need to get a taxi or public transport to get on the trail itself. Again though, we flew there commercially and I have no idea how GA friendly they are.

I've flown into Carlisle and Newcastle - both welcome GA but Newcastle is very expensive.

The walking around Lydd in Kent might be very interesting - surrounded by sandflats and bird reserves.

P

[callum91]

Shoreham (EGKA) - South downs National Park and also the Downs Link which follows the path of a dismantled railway along the river bank.

[Phli4fun]

Sandtoft (EGCF)

Easy access to the Peatland Way

The Peatlands Way | Route Description

[ChampChump]

From Maypole, in Kent, you can pick up a footpath and connect to the Saxon Shore Way (only 160 miles) or one of a number of other walks.

Saxon Shore Way

I imagine most airfields, situated as they are, have boundless opportunities. I have managed an half-decent walk from many, whether or not on a 'labelled' route.

The good side of UK flying...

[frangatang]

Alderney, via the zig zag path down the hill to the sea and past fort clonque to the pub or hotels at the harbour(40 mins).

[Blink182]

Bolt Head
Perranporth
Lands End

All in the south west and all have interesting walks in the immediate area

[NorthSouth]

Crail (for the Fife Coastal Path)
Castle Kennedy
Bute
Campbeltown
Gigha
Oban
Islay
Colonsay
Mull
Tiree
Coll
Barra
Benbecula
Plockton
Dornoch
the Orkney and Shetland strips
Feshiebridge (for Glen Feshie and the western Cairngorms)
Portmoak (for the Lomond Hills)

[Flyingmac]

Netherthorpe. Excellent food on the airfield and a ten minute walk to the restored Shireoaks section of the Chesterfield canal with multiple locks.

The footpath from Netherthorpe cuts across a field and brings you out here, where there's an ice cream hut just over the bridge.
Chesterfield Canal - Quarry Lock No 35:: OS grid SK5481 :: Geograph Britain and Ireland - photograph every grid square!

[Butchersboy]

Portmoak don't welcome powered aircraft not involved with gliding!

[Blink182]

Lane Farm
Nice remote countryside in very unspoilt part of the UK

[FleetFlyer]

Probably the finest walking to be had is from Berrier Airstrip in the Lake District. Its about 4 miles from Ullswater. Its a private strip but I believe they welcome visitors. Google Roger Savage Gyroplanes and ask them for PPR.

Its a shortish undulating strip with a stone wall reasonably near one side. Probably not one for beginners, but huge satisfaction to be had from both the mountain flying and the walking. Deffo STOL pilots/aircraft only.

[bodemory]

Thanks everyone for the replies!
I will find sometime next week to make a list of all places suggested here with indications regarding the nearby trails.

Don't hesitate to post new suggestions, I am sure there are more.

Brice