I have always wanted to go to some of the places included in the Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire area. These would include places such as RAF Scampton (The Red Arrows), RAF Waddington, Newark Air Museum, RAF Coningsby (Battle of Britain Memorial Flight) and the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, East Kilsby, etc. The problem is that I don't drive, and some of these places are a fair way from the nearest public transport. I did look at doing a tour by myself by bus and train this year, but the distance that I would have had to walk in some cases (not all) was a bit daunting , so it's on the back burner for now. So, I wondered whether anyone knew of any companies that run or could arrange tours covering all or some of these locations. If you can make any suggestion, please make them here or send me a PM. Thank you.
Scorer It might help if we know your location. Then if someone is going to those places they could give you a lift.
The Lincolnshire County Council or the West Lindsey District Council might be able to furnish some information.There used to be a leaflet available by the name of The Heritage Trail....covers historical sites where security clearance is not required....no organised visit information as I remember. However I think in the end you might have to plan an itinerary and visit locations by public transport and being a rural county, there is not much of that to the remote airfield locations.A visit to pick up the locations mentioned might be best arranged with overnight stays.Coningsby should be easy to visit by bus....a question of searching timetables....East Kirby is probably on the bus route from Coningsby to Skegness. Windthorpe (Newark Air Museum) should be easy to visit from Newark or Lincoln...again bus timetable searching required...2 miles north of Newark on the A46. Regarding the locations you mention,you will only be able to visit Waddington prearranged as a member of a recognised designated group having being cleared for security.The same can be said for the Scampton Red Arrows unit.However,the museum at Scampton can be visited but requires prearrangement with ID required. An interesting location is the wartime fighter control room at RAF Digby which is available to visit but might require some permission to visit for individuals, having visited the museum as a member of a recognised group of ex RAF servicemen. A wealth of aviation heritage in Lincolnshire but visiting its interesting sites by car is the best practical solution.
Thank you both for your advice. I'm located normally in Newport, South Wales, but I would travel to (say) Lincoln and use somewhere there as a base for my travels. I have looked at the various web sites for the attractions and for the public transport arrangements and they have been very useful. The major problem is, as you say, that some (but not all) of the places are quite a walk from the nearest bus stop, which is why I would like some help if I can find it. I did make contact with the working bases and asked them for advice, and they were very helpful. It seems that although group visits are preferred, they don't stop individuals visiting, but do say that such visits must be arranged in advance. I'm happy with that requirement as it's one that I have followed elsewhere and at other times. All I now need is help with the transport ... so we're back where we started!
Hi, if it's any help The Horse and Jockey in Waddington could be a good base . It's just outside Lincoln on a bus route, and from Lincoln it's (was) possible to get to most of the sites you mentioned. Is it possible to get a coach from Newport to Lincoln ? Sorry if this is not helpful. Best regards
Thanks for your advice. I would probably stay in Lincoln itself, as it's easier to get to from Newport. I'm not sure about a coach, but it's easily accessible by train, so that's how I was planning to travel. However, it's always useful to have another option, so thanks for that.
I wish you all the best with your trip, and all goes well and you get to do your visits. If you do not mind would you keep us posted, would be interested in knowing how you get on. Best regards
Thank you, I will. I'm also going to write to the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage web site ands ask them whether they know of anyone. It will be interesting to see what they say.
Using public transport can be a right pain from in and around Lincoln. Coningsby is close to East Kirkby - ten minute drive if I remember rightly. RAF Digby is worth visiting along with Methringham.
Yes, you don't have to tell me about it ... having tried to plan a programme, I know! The frustrating part is that some of the places are easy to get to, whilst others (some of them quite large), aren't. You'd think that there would be some consistency, but sadly these days rural bus services are suffering and it's those of us who don't drive have to suffer as well. Mind you, my problem is small compared to those who live there ... how they manage, I don't know. I've written as promised to the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage web site and asked them for some advice. I've had an acknowledgement, and I hope to hear something next week; the two people who can help are away from the office this week.
Regarding access to Digby and Metheringham,they are situated on the Lincoln-Sleaford line but Digby is now closed.Metheringham has a stop but it is probably two miles to the Metheringham Airfield and Visiters Centre which as far as I know might have selected openings. As said, easy by car but a second option in summer might be by bike,not sure of hirings but if you like cycling and have one,it might be a way of getting around,staying at various locations centres. Woodhall Spa would be an ideal centre to stay at ....a number of hotels and B&B establishments.Relatively easy access to Digby,Woodhall Spa,the Petwood Hotel has abundant memorabilia being used as No 617 Squadron's officers Mess while at RAF Woodhall Spa and the museum at Thorpe between Woodhall and Coningsby is first class situated on the former RAF Woodhall Spa domestic site.Coningsby is within cycling distance and further on, on the A155,lies East Kirkby. In this area there is always the chance of seeing aircraft of the B of B Memorial Flight exercising....a few years ago while looking at the No 106 Squadron memorial on the peri track at Metheringham, now a B road,a Spitfire passed low and returned to give us a couple of passes.
Cycling .... now, there's another "No, No!", I'm afraid - I'm bad enough on both feet! But seriously, thanks for your advice; I'll wait until I hear from the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage people and then see what I can do.
I've now heard from the LAH people, and they have been very helpful. There's nothing on a regular basis, but they did come up with a tour being run by a company called "Travel Editions", who look as if they are based in London. They are running tours which include a tail down taxi run in the Lancaster at East Kirby, together with several other vists. It all looks very good, and what they include is excellent... but the snag is that it's very expensive - two nights from £749!! As Fagin would have said ... "I think I'd better think it out again!".
The Scorer I hear what you say but these things don't come cheap. They will have high organisational costs, admission fees to pay and I presume that price is fully inclusive of hotel, transport etc? Note: apart from the fact that Lincolnshire is my home county, I have no connection with the tourist industry. That doesn't mean I can't still plug the place so, while you are there enjoy some Plum Bread (there's no plums in it and it isn't really a bread!), acelet (some people insist this is actually spelt haslet....but they are wrong....in Lincs circles anyway!) and, of course, genuine Lincolnshire Sausage and Stuffed Chine......and not forgetting the most beautiful building in the World, Lincoln Cathedral.
I was at East Kirkby on Wednesday on a blisteringly hot day for the Mosquito Experience, a 60th birthday gift from my brother who now lives in Lincolnshire. I was meant to go last year but it clashed with that petrol panic madness in September and we had to prioritise our fuel supply for work. The guys at the Heritage Centre, though, were superb in allowing me to rearrange my visit at no extra cost. Great service! Brilliant day and fortunately someone had booked the taxi run for their husband/dad so we got to see her on the move. I have video but seems I’m unable to upload any here. Oh to have seen and heard her fly but apparently that’s not to be, sadly. Fantastic place to visit, my first time but hopefully not my last as too much for me to take in, the exhibits, photos, stories in the short time I had between the events in my experience itinerary. Most enjoyable but all too short talk, more of a chat with us all really, from Tony Agar who has dedicated most of his life, it seems, to bringing HJ711 back to life. Top bloke, really nice. Hopefully will visit again and take my time to have a real proper look at all the exhibits as we’re moving to sunny Norfolk in September so I’ll be a whole lot closer in future. I’d have taken more photos but I neglected to take my actual,camera with me and my phone died on me very quickly (you’ll all be relieved to hear). Brother invited me to be his guest at the BBMF Members’ day at Coningsby next month but just couldn’t commit due to said move - however, I shall be much better placed for 2023. Came back with some Plum Bread. My brother always gets me some when he visits here or if I go up to his. I had a couple of slices this afternoon with my cuppa, toasted and slathered in butter (see attached - you’re going to tell me now it’s sacrilege to toast it ). Do not, by the way, be misled by those cheesy official and unofficial photos of me here in which I look in no way at all self-consciously awkward and gormless - whilst it may appear I eat way too much Plum Bread and suchlike, the camera does, in fact, lie and I have the svelte body of a top athlete half my age. Ahem…
