Planespotting / Viewing Guides for RAF Brize Norton & Oxford/Kidlington airport, and other airports & airfields in Oxfordshire

Aircraft Spotting at Oxfordshire's Airfields and Airports

Spotting locations, viewing areas and advice on access for airports and airfields in Oxfordshire. 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

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PRESERVED & STORED AIRCRAFT IN OXFORDSHIRE - their locations are marked in the Spotting in the UK download

RAF BENSON AIRFIELD - TWR 130.25, APP 120.9

Spotting Info
Just east of Benson village along the A4075, these viewing spots are marked in the Spotting in the UK download. Early weekdays mornings, the hangars are usually opened up.

Heading north on the A4074 with the airfield on your right, take the first right signposted to Benson village, then immediately right again onto St Helen's Avenue. If you get to the roundabout, go round and come back down the A4074 and take the left by the speed camera. Follow this straight road down until a very sharp bend and the perimeter fence. Park up before the bend and the hangars and aprons are right in front of you. Tutors can be read off from here but the helicopters are far more difficult.

Head back to the A4074 and turn left to head south. You'll pass the old 06 runway end and take the very next left, Benson Lane, which leads all the way to a crash gate, though be careful what you're driving over as rubbish is often dumped here. Either park at the A4074 end and walk or drive to the gate and park well clear. At the end, it's a short walk to the right along the edge of the field for views of the apron and into the nearest hangar if it's open.

From the crash gate in the first point above, you can head round to the northern perimeter for views. Continue round the sharp bend, and turn right at the T-junction in Benson village onto Brook Street. Pass the end of the old runway 19 and the next right is a private road leading to houses. The road bends sharp left, giving you views looking south to the GA parking area, but the land sloping away means the registrations are sometimes hidden or difficult to read off. As it's private here, do not hang around.

Turn right back onto Brook Street, follow the road as it winds round and then turn right on a sharp left bend, signed to RAF Benson. Keep looking right as you may see the ramp between the buildings but there's no stopping here. Your passenger(s) can jump out and try reading anything off but you may get moved on by base security. At the main base entrance on the right you'll find gate guard BAPC-226 Spitfire Replica marked EN343. Continue straight on and as the road bends left, pull up at the gate on the right. Outside the large hangar beyond the first couple of houses is XS507 Wessex, though this may not be visible from here. There are often tours of RAF Benson that take you round the hangars here.
Last reported October 2012. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report

BICESTER AIRFIELD - A/G 129.97

Spotting Info
In the northeast of Bicester town alongside the A4095 ring road. Drive through gates and park up next to the hangar. If the gates are shut you can ring through to the clubhouse and if anyone is around they'll open it up for you. As you drive through, do not drive in front of the hangar, this area is out of bounds for vehicles. Keep the hangar on your right and then drive round behind it, round to the right and park up. Ask at the clubhouse for access, you'll need to sign in, and sign out again when you leave. They are friendly here just make sure you have permission before walking round the hangar. And they'll provide instructions if they are launching at the other end of the airfield though you'll probably need to be escorted. Best to visit at weekends when the main gates are usually open. If you visit during one of the giliding competitions it's best to visit before 10am, or before they are due to launch, as they often land elsewhere.
Bicester Gliding Centre
Last reported March 2013. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report

RAF BRIZE NORTON AIR BASE - TWR 123.725 & 126.5, APP 127.25, A/G 121.725

Spotting Info

Repatriation flights are usually on Thursdays, and as such, there are fewer movements at the base and the local roads have a greater police presence. KN566 C-47 marked "FZ626" is preserved in the northwest corner of the base. These viewing spots are marked in the Spotting in the UK download. Head south into Brize Norton village and turn right at the mini roundabout onto Carterton Road. Take the next turning on the right and park up sensibly almost immediately on the left. Walk along the pavement looking left and you should be able to log anything parked outside these hangars.

Back to the car and carry on down Carterton Road, looking left through the trees for any parked on the northern apron. Take the first exit at the roundabout, past the base entrance and turn left at the next roundabout. You'll go straight over two mini roundabouts and just before the third mini roundabout turn left onto Corbett Road. At the end, turn right onto The Crescent and follow until the last houses. Park up on the right, sensibly to keep the residents happy, and walk down the path to the crash gates for views across to the southern aprons.

Head back to the top of Corbett Road and turn left to head straight over the mini roundabout onto the B4020. Follow the road round and through Alvescot village and into Black Bourton village. The road bends round to the right and towards the end of the bend, turn left. Take the first road on the left, Burford Road, and follow to the end for the crash gate. Again park sensibly, and you have views to the left of the southern aprons. There may also be views off to the right. Head back down Burford Road and take the first right, leading to a farm and the sewage works. This runs parallel with the southern aprons and will help you log any you couldn't get from the previous crash gates.

Back to the B4020, turn left and head into Clanfield village. Turn left onto the A4095 and in Bampton village take the first exit at the mini roundabout towards Brize Norton. Turn right to stay on the A4095 towards Lew and pull into the lay-by on the left just a short way along here. This gives you a good overall view looking down onto the air base.

Head back to the junction, turn right, follow this road until you head over a bridge and pull over on the left before the crash gates and memorial. From these gates you have views across the main parkings areas to the right of the runway, and various buildings to the left where you'll find stored aircraft in various states in and around them. This area is the most popular for photographers and spotters due to it's proximity to runway 26. Viewing from here is very difficult due to the double wooden fences but if you can get some height, either from your vehicle or a ladder, views are still possible.

Thunder and Lightnings' Brize Norton Photography Guide
Last reported December 2012. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report

CHALGROVE AIRFIELD - A/G 125.4

Spotting Info
Head south on B480 through Chalgrove, which runs alongside the main runway and has views of the hangar. It's pot luck whether you see the based Meteors or Be200. For the ex-Greek AF F-5 nose 63-8418 and the rear fuselage of Talon T-38B 65-10450, take the next left which leads to the main gate by the Hampden Memorial. Don't go down to the main gate but instead carry on towards the industrial estate. Keep looking to the left over the airfield and they will come into view.
Thunder and Lightnings' Chalgrove Photography Guide
Last reported August 2012. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report

DRAYTON ST. LEONARD-MANOR FARM AIRFIELD

Spotting Info
Head south out of Stadhampton and Brookhampton on the A329 and the road almost immediately bends left. Turn right here and follow it round the sharp bends. After passing fields on both sides, turn left on a sharp right bend. Follow the track through the farm then round to the left. YLAC have leased a dutch barn type building from which to finalise their aircraft for delivery to their UK customers.
Last reported December 2012. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report

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ENSTONE AIRFIELD - A/G 129.875

Spotting Info
Enstone village is on the A44, take the B4030 east and the airfield is on left after the crossroads with the B4022. It's well signposted. These viewing spots are marked in the Spotting in the UK download. There are three parts to this airfield but both roads leading to the north and south sides are full of potholes so take care driving.

South side
The southern side is where the signposts lead you. Ask in the clubhouse for access to the microlight hangar, it's usually only granted if someone is around to escort you round the hangar. There are also a few aircraft parked beyond this hangar and G-MVHI Thruster is dumped around the back of it. There's also an old glider, BGA1379/CAB, stored in a broken box. The second and third parts are on the other side of the runway, northside.

North side

Exit the south side part of the airfield by turning right, then turn right again. Continue a short way down the road until you reach a hole in the hedge on the right with a small wooden flying club sign. Turn in here and follow the old taxiway to the left, right the way round to the control tower. Ask in here for access to the small individual hangars.

You will have driven past one large hangar open both sides and with aircraft parked out on the grass opposite, this is the third part and you do need separate permission from that given at the control tower. Ask someone here for access to the hangar, they are also friendly. There are a couple of wrecks in the bushes, including the wings of C-FDFC Bristol Freighter, and just before the large hangar in the far section of the building are one or two aircraft and possibly in the left building as well. The wings and fuselage of G-OSFA HK36 are dumped in a skip near the north entrance. 4X-FNA Meteor (composite of WM234 nose and VZ462 tail) and G-9-444 Hunter marked as "E423", both formerly of SWWAPS Lasham, are also stored here.

Oxford Sportflying Club
Last reported March 2013. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report

GARFORD-LANDMEAD FARM AIRFIELD

Spotting Info
Head south out of Frilford on A338 towards Wantage. Past two turnings on right to Garford, past Venn Mill, go over Childrey Brook and take next left for the farm. Follow to end. Friendly, ask for access. If the gate is locked it's a long walk but the hangars do have gaps to look through.
Last reported August 2012. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report

HORTON-cum-STUDLEY-VENTFIELD FARM AIRFIELD

Spotting Info
Head west through Horton-cum-Studley village and when the road turns sharply left, head straight over onto Church Lane. After a right bend the road straightens out. Before the next sharp right bend, turn left into the farm. Follow the track to the right, then left round the farm buildings to the one hangar containing the aircraft.
Last reported June 2012. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report

IPSDEN-CHILTERN PARK AIRFIELD

Spotting Info
Head south out of Wallingford on A4074. Go over the crossroads, past the left turn to Ipsden and turn right at the next crossroads towards Cleeve and Goring. The runway's on the left with the hangars and clubhouse on the right. Home of Thames Valley Microlight Centre, a skydiving club and some AutoGyros making around a dozen residents, they're very friendly here, ask in clubhouse for access to the main hangar and there are a couple of smaller/individual ones. WV381 Hunter cockpit lives in the blue container, the owner is very friendly and happy to open it if you ask.
Last reported December 2012. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report

KIDLINGTON/OXFORD AIRPORT (EGTK/OXF) - TWR 118.875, APP 127.75

Spotting Info
North of Oxford just off A44, these viewing spots are marked in the Spotting in the UK download. Security is very tight so no access to airfield.

As you cross the end of the runway heading towards the main entrance along Langford Lane on the southern perimeter, there is a lay-by on the right. Park here, cross the road and walk along the grass verge to the right to the crash gate. Nearly everything can be seen from along the verge though during the summer when the foliage is thick it gets difficult. The hedge is growing tall now, so a stepladder may also be required, but it does get cut back from time to time. Just keep it well back from the fence. If you walk back to the end of the road near the dual carriageway you'll be able to see into Hangar 8 housing biz, if it's open.

From the lay-by continue towards the main entrance - left at both roundabouts. As you approach the security hut, fork right and keep looking left. This road is usually quiet enough for you to crawl down and read off any that come into view. Carry on towards Thames Water and at the end of road visible near the fence is the dumped fuselage of G-BYKR PA34.

Just up the road from the main entrace, turn right past the Mercedes dealership where you'll find G-APWL EoN hanging from the ceiling of the AFE Pilot shop.

For McAlpine Helicopters, head out of main entrance, turn left at the roundabout (right takes you back to the lay-by) and left again at the lights. After about a mile turn left just before the garage. As you drive down this road you will see the helicopters on your left across the field.

Oxford-Kidlington Airport Email Group
Last reported March 2013. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report

NORTH MORETON-CHURCH FARM AIRFIELD

Spotting Info
Strip is at north end of village to the east of the village and can be accessed by a track leading from the road that passes through the village. Owner cautious about visitors, you are advised to call prior to visiting.
Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report

SHENINGTON-EDGE HILL AIRFIELD

Spotting Info
Head southwest out of Shenington village along Rattlecombe Road and it's on the right. Ask to have a look round, you may be asked for ID of some sort. Friendly airfield, always ask in the clubhouse and someone normally takes you around the two hangars here (one is maintenance) and then up to the hangars at the other end of airfield. As you approach these hangars you will pass a row of glider boxes on your left. At the end is the unmarked fuselage of D-2782. You'll see the main hangar containing fixed wing and gliders, with the greenhouse next to it and then individual T hangars that have gaps for you to log the inmates. Behind the main hangar is the fixed wing hangar barn containing some stored aircraft. Opposite this barn is another barn that contains stored gliders.

There are a couple of old stored gliders (wreck of BGA3569 and fuselage of BGA3927) in the old Officers Mess building - turn right out of the main airfield entrance, right at the T-junction and then left at the crossroads. The building is just up this road on the left. On your way round to the Officers Mess, just before the sharp left bend is the entrance to the farm side of the airfield on the right. Turn in here and you'll be at the gliders and fixed wing storage hangars - this is only useful if there is no one to escort you over here from the main clubhouse. If you can find someone over this side to show you round then please ask, they are also friendly. If there's no one around then you must not go wandering on your own.
Shenington Gliding Club
Last reported July 2012. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report

SHRIVENHAM AVIATION HALL

Spotting Info
The entrance to Shrivenham is off Faringdon Road between the villages of Shrivenham and Watchfield. Most of the aircraft here are in the Aviation Hall, off limits to casual visits so you'll need to arrange a tour in advance - various aviation groups do arrange annual tours. XV744 Harrier is preserved outside the Aviation Hall of the Defence Academy and XV122 Scout is displayed outside the Simulator Building near the main gate.
Last reported March 2012. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report

SHRIVENHAM-SANDHILL FARM AIRFIELD

Spotting Info
Head south on the A420 towards Shrivenham. As you get close to the town you pass under the B4000, take the next right turn signposted "Stallpits Farm only". Stay on the track, driving past the various buildings and the gliding strip is right at the end. Friendly, ask for access. On the way to the hangar you'll pass a glider wreck marked "DSQ".
Last reported January 2013. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report

WANTAGE-GINGE FARM AIRFIELD

Spotting Info
From the A417 in East Hendred head south on High Street. This then goes into Newbury road and after about 2 miles the airstrip is on the right just before road ends.
Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report

WESTON-ON-THE-GREEN AIRFIELD

Spotting Info
Alongside the B430 about a mile north of Weston-on-the-Green village. Just before airfield, there is a lay-by on the left to park in and view any outside plus the Skydive hangar if it's open. The main gate is further on, on the right. Turn in here, past security and round to the left for the gliding club. They are friendly, ask for access and you should be allowed round their hangar. They also have a workshop just beyond the hangar. If there's no one at the hangar, try at the workshop, and if there's no one there either there should be gaps in both to log a few. If they are launching from the eastern end of the airfield and you aren't allowed to drive over there and/or you can't read any of the gliders from the hangar area, you can read them either from the lay-by mentioned earlier or the track leading to a house at the southern end of the airfield. Turn left out of the main entrance, past the lay-by on your right, and take the next left track. Follow to end, logging as you go.
Last reported January 2013. Want to update or confirm the information is still correct? Send in a report