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Interesting airfield with things to see/do nearby

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Old 19th Jul 2018, 12:42
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Interesting airfield with things to see/do nearby

Hi all,

As the title suggests I'm looking for recommendations for interesting airfields to fly to, and by interesting I mean more that there is something to see/do other than "a great Cafe". I am currently doing hours building for my ATPL and I have a couple of friends who want to come for a ride, but we would like to make a day of it and either go to the beach, or go somewhere of interest, so far a lot of the airfields I've looked into are in the middle of no where, so ideally somewhere close to something. Also don't want to be flying up to Scotland...so something in the region of 1.5 hours - 2 hours one way max really, and I'm based in Elstree North London.

Thanks in advance for the advice.

PS
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Old 19th Jul 2018, 12:49
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Sandown, a short walk to the beach. Bembridge, a slightly longer walk.

Clacton, five minutes from the beach.

Old Warden, because it is.

If you're short strip capable and comfortable, I have other suggestions.
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Old 19th Jul 2018, 12:51
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Originally Posted by PelicanSquawk
Hi all,

As the title suggests I'm looking for recommendations for interesting airfields to fly to, and by interesting I mean more that there is something to see/do other than "a great Cafe". I am currently doing hours building for my ATPL and I have a couple of friends who want to come for a ride, but we would like to make a day of it and either go to the beach, or go somewhere of interest, so far a lot of the airfields I've looked into are in the middle of no where, so ideally somewhere close to something. Also don't want to be flying up to Scotland...so something in the region of 1.5 hours - 2 hours one way max really, and I'm based in Elstree North London.

Thanks in advance for the advice.

PS
Astounded/disappointed that you don't want to fly to the wonderful scenery in Scotland!

However, down south, as we call it up here, I can recommend Duxford and Old Warden (Shuttleworth). Breighton is also nice if you do venture a bit further north!

Last edited by Forfoxake; 19th Jul 2018 at 13:37.
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Old 19th Jul 2018, 13:02
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PS By excluding Scotland, you are missing the chance to actually LAND on the beach at Barra or Sollas!
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Old 19th Jul 2018, 13:27
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Apart from a reasonable restaurant, Old Sarum has the Boscombe Down Aviation Collection which comprises a large selection of the cockpits of many jets plus a few whole ones. You can sit in most of the cockpits.
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Old 19th Jul 2018, 13:40
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Alderney? Don't know how it is these days but went there years ago, hired bikes near the airfield and found a nice restaurant a short cycle ride away. Has that special cache of being somewhere you can't do on a day trip by any other means of transport too.
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Old 19th Jul 2018, 13:57
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Stow Maries, if you are interested in WW1 airfields (and the Montrose fly-in on 25th/26th August if you do get north of the border).

Damyns Hall probably worth a visit now that the Tiger Club is based there and Elvington for the Yorkshire Air Museum. And East Kirkby for the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre.

And, above all, why not fly into the LAA rally at Sywell on August 31st to Sept. 2nd? (Remember to book a slot and read the NOTAM!)
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Old 19th Jul 2018, 14:03
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PS Also watch out for the date of the Northern Aviators annual fly-in at Druridge Bay, literally a stone's throw away from a lovely beach.
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Old 19th Jul 2018, 14:15
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Le Touquet, Calais, Oostende....beaches, food, drink, supermarkets etc
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Old 19th Jul 2018, 15:46
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Dependent your ability, a whole world of private strips!
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Old 19th Jul 2018, 16:59
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Farnborough.
F.A.S.T. museum adjoining the airfield.
Tomb of Emporer Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie in Farnborough Abbey (and the French want them back)
Several Army Museums in nearby Aldershot plus the RAMC museum including the Dental Museum at Mytchett, near the house where Rudolf Hess was incarcerated.
Cody's House at Ash Vale (not open to the public)
Astronomical landing/mandatory handling fees.

Last edited by chevvron; 20th Jul 2018 at 10:05.
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Old 19th Jul 2018, 17:29
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Land at Blackbushe.... Is the other side of the road.
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Old 19th Jul 2018, 17:34
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Farnborough.
F.A.S.T. museum adjoining the airfield.
Tomb of Emporer Napoleon 111 and Empress Eugenie in Farnborough Abbey (and the French want them back)
Several Army Museums in nearby Aldershot plus the RAMC museum including the Dental Museum at Mytchett, near the house where Rudolf Hess was incarcerated.
Cody's House at Ash Vale (not open to the public)
Astronomical landing/mandatory handling fees.
......and my house. Which is rented out or I'd invite you in for a strong cup of tea to help you recover following the small mortgage you'll pay in landing fees..
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Old 19th Jul 2018, 17:42
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Perranporth, in Cornwall. Stunning cliff-top location. Beautiful cliff path walk down to Perranporth town, with one of the top 10 beaches in the World. Most folk get a cab back up if they've had a substantial lunch.

TOO
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Old 19th Jul 2018, 18:28
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Dependent on your plane's performance (did you tell us the type, or at least the speed?) EBAW Antwerpen might be nice: the Stampe & Vertongen museum is worth a visit from every aviator. Restaurant, too, fuel, customs, what more do you want? Especially if staying overnight, any females would love shopping downtown (very near!) and/or visit the fashion exhibitions or the diamond museum.

Last edited by Jan Olieslagers; 19th Jul 2018 at 19:09.
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Old 19th Jul 2018, 18:31
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Emporer Napoleon 111
Sorry for nitpicking, but in the way of emperors France never got beyond a handful, never more than ten let alone a hundred.
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Old 19th Jul 2018, 19:07
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The museum airfields, Duxford, Kirkby, RNAS Yeovilton, RAF Cosford. One of the airfields near York, taxi to railway museum.
Skegness water park. Blackpool for the chocolate sea.
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Old 20th Jul 2018, 08:32
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Originally Posted by Jan Olieslagers
Sorry for nitpicking, but in the way of emperors France never got beyond a handful, never more than ten let alone a hundred.
Should be Napoleon III.............!!
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Old 20th Jul 2018, 08:46
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Old Warden goes without saying, Wellesbourne to have a look at the Vulcan, St mary's for the stunning scenery when imbound and interesting view on final...many more but I'm off to go rife me bike
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Old 20th Jul 2018, 09:24
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Thank you all so much for these replies! I am going to be referring back to this list for some time!

to answer some of the questions:

Plane type is an AA5.

I would love to go to Scotland, but feel its best to do that for a weekend, when I have more time to appreciate it!

I love the look of some of the islands, and trips to Europe, unfortunately I don't have life jackets/PLB handy, so I'm going to keep it simple and stick to UK.

I'm going to take a better look this evening at all of the options.

Thanks again!
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