I assume this confusion arises because you live in the Midlands and so English isn't your first language the answer is "it's closed" .

Very good! Based on many years of flying in UK and Europe I would say the answer is whatever the operator decides. Many will in fact be open with no services, unlike your local supermarket where closed is not available at all. My local airfield used to put up a notice at this time of year saying;

"Airfield closed 25th Dec and 1st Jan with no services. Please obey noises abatement if you decide to fly and remember we are not licensed".

Closed - in the UK - is whatever the operator wants it to be.

Well, Rod, that seems to me a strong example of incorrect vocabulary - not infrequent indeed in the UK. It certainly explains some of the confusion. This kind of tomfoolery irritates me very much - in my IT profession, I have learned that many perceived/reported problems/issues can be solved, or at least easily diagnosed, by describing them exactly.

Then perhaps, does one need any kind of qualification to operate an a/d in the UK? The requirements can't be very stringent, then...

There may be a further complication, in the UK there are such things as Members Clubs, which could operate an airstrip. Each member is an owner of all the club assets and has an equal right to use them.

So although the treasurer has taken the days takings home to be counted, and set the signal square with the yellow cross, the member can call the place 'open' and land. He will also know the pass code to operate the locked electronic Front Gate, so be able to drive home.

Surreal thread, totally surreal.

As I wrote earlier, having been flying in UK since the early 1970s, I always make a phone call first, PPR or not.

I've never had someone ask why I phoned, or object to my phone call.

However, a licensed airfield will have published opening hours as part of the terms of the issue of its licence. If the airfield is to be closed during the published hours, a NOTAM must be issued.

Unlicensed..... Again, a phone call helps prevent any embarrassment.

Certainly not the case at a number of airfields - I fly from Goodwood and outside the notified hours it is useable if you have filled in an out of hours form, so it is not really open but neither is it really closed, a good case showing where the confusion lies!

depends I think what level you are talking about - a farmstrip needs nothing and some can be quite challenging!