List of Norfolk airfields

Last updated

This is a list of current or former airfields, airports and airbases, both civilian and military, within the English county of Norfolk, East Anglia. They may have been used by the Royal Flying Corps (RFC), Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS), Royal Air Force (RAF), Army Air Corps (AAC), Fleet Air Arm (FAA), United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) or the United States Air Force (USAF).

For a list of current RAF stations in the UK and abroad, see List of Royal Air Force stations and for former stations see List of former Royal Air Force stations .

NameAlt NameUsed byDatesCurrent useNotes
Felthorpe Airfield  Private1958–currentGrass runway [1] [2] [3] [4]
Little Snoring Airfield RAF Little SnoringRAF,
now Private		1943–58 (RAF)2,526 ft & 1,620 ft Concrete/asphalt runwaysformer RAF Bomber Station. [5]
Ludham Airfield RAF Ludham, (HMS Flycatcher)RAF, RNAS,
now Private		1941–46 (RAF)1,801 ft Concrete runwayAllocated to US 8th AF as Station 177, but used by RAF and RNAS. [6] [7]
North Denes Airport Great Yarmouth HeliportPrivate 1,575 ft Unpaved runway( ICAO : EGSD)
Northrepps Aerodrome  Private 2,018 ft & 1,263 ft Grass runway 
Norwich International Airport RAF Horsham St Faith, USAAF Station 123 (8th AF)RAF, USAAF
now Public Airport		1940-1967 (RAF)6,040 ft & 4,154 ft Concrete/asphalt runways( IATA : NWI, ICAO : EGSH) [8] [9]
Seething Airfield RAF Seething, USAAF Station 146 (8th AF)RAF, USAAF
now Private		1943–45 (USAAF)2,624 ft Asphalt runway( ICAO : EGSJ) [10]
Shipdham Airfield RAF Shipdham, USAAF Station 115 (8th AF)RAF, USAAF
now Private		1942–572,828 ft Asphalt runway( ICAO : EGSA) [11]
RAF Weybourne Weybourne AirfieldPrivate Grass runway 
RAF Attlebridge USAAF Station 120 (Eighth Air Force)RAF, USAAFJune 1941 – 5 August 1956Farmland [12]
RAF Bacton RNAS BactonRNAS, RAF1915 – March 1919FarmlandFirst World War Landing Ground. [13]
RAF Barton Bendish RAFSeptember 1939 – October 1942FarmlandSecond World War Landing Ground (satellite to Marham). [14]
RAF Bircham Newton RAF, FAAMay 1918 – December 1962Now a training establishment to the civil Construction Industry Training Board Second World War Landing Ground. [15]
RAF Bodney USAAF Station 141 (8th AF)RAF, USAAFMarch 1940 – November 1945FarmlandSecond World War Landing Ground. [16]
RAF Burgh Castle RNAS Burgh CastleRNAS, RAF1915–1919Open LandFirst World War Landing Ground. [17]
RAF Bylaugh Hall RAF1943–1945Private ownershipHeadquarters of No. 100 Group RAF.
RAF Coltishall USAAF Station 355 (8th AF)RAF, USAAFMay 1940 – November 2006 HMP Bure The last operational WW2 airfield, closed in 2006, known as MoD Coltishall until its disposal. [18]
RAF Deopham Green USAAF Station 142 (8th AF)RAF, USAAFJanuary 1944 – January 1948FarmlandSecond World War Landing Ground. [19]
RAF Docking RAFJuly 1940 – September 1946Farmland [20]
RAF Downham Market RAF1942 – October 1946Bexwell Industrial Estate [21]
RAF East Wretham USAAF Station 133 (8th AF)RAF, USAAF1940 – July 1948British Army use [22]
RAF Feltwell RFC, RAF, USAFNovember 1917 – PresentHousing and education for USAF personnel [23]
RAF Fersfield USAAF Station 140 / 554 (8th AF)RAF, USAAF1944 – March 1946Farmland [24]
RAF Foulsham RAFMay 1942 – June 1962Farmland/Industry [25]
RAF Great Massingham RAFJuly 1940 – November 1950 (closed to flying)Farmland/Limited FlyingBomber station. [26]
RAF Great Yarmouth RNAS Great Yarmouth [27] RNAS, RAFApril 1913 – November 1920Camp Site [28] Land and seaplane base during WWI. [29] In WW2 used by No. 16 Recruits Centre from 1941–1946 (AIR 29/504) [30]
RAF Hardwick USAAF Station 104 (8th AF)RAF, USAAFSeptember 1942 – August 1946Farmland/Limited Flying [31]
RAF Harling Road RFC Harling Road (Roudham)RFC, RAFDecember 1916 – March 1920IndustryFirst World War. [32]
RAF Hethel USAAF Station 114 (8th AF)RAF, USAAF1942 – June 1948 Lotus Cars/Hethel Engineering Centre [33]
RNAS Hickling Broads RAFAugust 1918 – September 1919Moorings [34]
RAF Hingham RFC HinghamRFC, RAF1916–1919FarmlandFirst World War Landing Ground. [35]
RAF Holt RNAS HoltRNAS, RAFNovember 1915 – 1920sFarming/ Open landFirst World War Landing Ground. [36]
RAF Horsham St Faith see Norwich International Airport   
RAF Knettishall USAAF Station 136 (8th AF)RAF, USAAFJanuary 1943 – 1957Farmland [37]
RAF Langham RAF, FAA1940–1961Turkey farm/Heritage siteJoint Fleet Air Arm/RAF. [38]
RAF Little Snoring see Little Snoring Airfield (above)   
RAF Ludham see Ludham Airfield (above)   
RAF Marham RFC MarhamRFC, RAF1916–1919, 1935–presentCurrent home to the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II [39]
RAF Matlaske USAAF Station 178 (8th AF)RAF, USAAF1940–1946Farmland [40]
RAF Mattishall RFC MattishallRFC, RAFNovember 1915 – May 1919FarmlandFirst World War. [41]
RAF Methwold RAF1938–1958Farmland/industry [42]
RAF Mousehold Heath RFC Mousehold Heath, Norwich Municipal AirportRFC, Civil, RAF1914–1933Housing Estate & Light Industry [43]
RAF Narborough RNAS Narborough, RFC NarboroughRNAS, RFC, RAFAugust 1915 – December 1919Farmland [44]
RAF North Creake Code Name: WORKERRAF (No. 100 Group, 199 & 171 Sqns)1943–1947Farmland/housing/industryThe Control Tower is now a bed and breakfast, [45] with the rest of the site in agricultural use with some light industry in the former airfield buildings. [46]
RAF North Pickenham USAAF Station 143RAF, USAAF1944–1963Runways used by Bernard Matthews as bases for turkey sheds. Thor IRBM site now used by Anglia Karting.Thor IBRM station 1958–1963. [47]
RAF Old Buckenham USAAF Station 144 (8th AF)RAF, USAAF1943–1960 Old Buckenham Airport [48]
RAF Oulton RAFJuly 1940 – August 1952Farmland [49]
RAF Pulham RNAS PulhamRNAS, RAF1915–1948FarmlandUsed for the development of British airships between the wars, hangar moved to Cardington (Bedfordshire), used as crashed aircraft dump in WW2. [50]
RAF Rackheath USAAF Station 145 (8th AF)RAF, USAAF1944–1945Farmland/industrial [51]
RAF Sculthorpe RAF, USAAF, USAFJanuary 1943 – October 1992Housing/industry/MoD training area [52]
RAF Sedgeford RNAS Sedgeford, RFC SedgefordRNAS, RFC, RAF1915–1919, 1940–1944FarmlandUsed as decoy airfield during WWII. [53]
RAF Seething see Seething Airfield (above)   
RAF Shipdham see Shipdham Airfield (above)   
RAF Snetterton Heath USAAF Station 138 (8th AF)RAF, USAAF1943–1952 Snetterton Motor Racing Circuit [54]
RAF Swannington RAFApril 1944 – November 1947Farmland/industry [55]
RAF Swanton Morley Robertson BarracksRAF, Army1940–present Robertson Barracks [56]
RAF Thetford RFC Thetford (Snarehill)RFC, RAF1915–1920, 1940–1942FarmlandUsed as decoy airfield during WWII. [57]
RAF Thorpe Abbotts USAAF Station 139 (8th AF)RAF, USAAF1943–1956Farmland/civil aviationHome of 100th Bomb Group Memorial Museum. [58]
RAF Tibenham RFC Tibenham, USAAF Station 124 (8th AF)RFC, RAF, USAAF1916–1920, 1942–1959AirfieldNow owned by Norfolk Gliding Club. [59]
RAF Watton USAAF Station 376 / 505RAF, USAAF1939–1992Housing/civil aviation/army training/HM Prison Wayland [60]
RAF Wendling USAAF Station 118 (8th AF)RAF, USAAF1943–1961Farmland [61]
RAF West Raynham RAF, FAAMay 1939 – June 1994Farmland/housing [62]

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References

  1. ↑ "Felthorpe Aero Club History". Felthorpe Aero Club. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  2. ↑ "Flying Club aims to get new aviation course off the ground; 18 July 2020". Eastern Daily Press edp24.co.uk. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  3. ↑ Bryan, Victoria. "The Flying Doctor! How a Norfolk GP built his own Red Baron Fokker triplane". Aerotime. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  4. ↑ "Arson wrecks vintage planes, 18 Feb 2003". BBC News. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  5. ↑ "About the Airfield". McAully Flying Group. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  6. ↑ "Ludham". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  7. ↑ "Ludham, Norfolk". The MONAB Story. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  8. ↑ "RAF Horsham St Faith airfield". Control Towers. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  9. ↑ "Horsham St Faith (Norwich)". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  10. ↑ "About Seething Airfield". Seething Flying Club. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  11. ↑ "Shipdham". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  12. ↑ "Attlebridge". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust . Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  13. ↑ "Bacton". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  14. ↑ "Barton Bendish". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  15. ↑ "Bircham Newton". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  16. ↑ "Bodney". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  17. ↑ "Burgh Castle". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  18. ↑ "Coltishall". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  19. ↑ "Deopham Green". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  20. ↑ "Docking". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  21. ↑ "Downham Market (Bexwell)". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  22. ↑ "East Wretham". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  23. ↑ "Feltwell". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  24. ↑ "Fersfield (Winfarthing)". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  25. ↑ "Foulsham". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  26. ↑ "Great Massingham". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  27. ↑ This aerodrome is usually known as South Denes Royal Naval Air Service aerodrome or RNAS South Denes
  28. ↑ Great Yarmouth’s air aces who took on the Zeppelins; Trevor Heaton; Article in the Eastern Daily Press; 16 December 2017
  29. ↑ "Great Yarmouth I (South Denes) (Yarmouth)". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  30. ↑ "AIR 29/504". The National Archives . Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  31. ↑ "Hardwick, Norfolk". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  32. ↑ "Harling Road (Roudham)". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  33. ↑ "Hethel". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  34. ↑ "Hickling Broad". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  35. ↑ "Hingham – an airfield fallen into obscurity". Aviation Trails. 11 September 2016. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  36. ↑ "Holt". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  37. ↑ "Knettishall". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  38. ↑ "Langham". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  39. ↑ "Royal Air Force Marham". raf.mod.uk. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  40. ↑ "Matlaske". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  41. ↑ "Mattishall". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  42. ↑ "Methwold". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  43. ↑ "Mousehold Heath". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  44. ↑ "Narborough Aerodrome". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  45. ↑ "The Control Tower History". Control Tower Stays. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  46. ↑ "North Creake". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  47. ↑ "North Pickenham". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  48. ↑ "Old Buckenham". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  49. ↑ "Oulton". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  50. ↑ "Pulham". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  51. ↑ "Rackheath". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  52. ↑ "Sculthorpe". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  53. ↑ "Sedgeford". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  54. ↑ "Snetterton Heath". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  55. ↑ "Swannington". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  56. ↑ "Swanton Morley". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  57. ↑ "Thetford (Snarehill)". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  58. ↑ "Thorpe Abbotts". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  59. ↑ "About Tibenham Airfield". Norfolk Gliding Club. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  60. ↑ "Watton". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  61. ↑ "Wendling". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  62. ↑ "West Raynham". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
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