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Woodhall Spa Aerodrome Nature Reserve

Museum | Woodhall Spa | England | United Kingdom

The Woodhall Spa Aerodrome Nature Reserve is a nature reserve in Woodhall Spa, located on the site of a former airfield from World War II. This location was known during the war as RAF Woodhall Spa, used by the famous 617th "Dambusters" Squadron among others. Today, the area is a peaceful retreat for local wildlife and a place where visitors can enjoy the history of aviation heritage amidst a developing natural environment.

The reserve covers the former airfield, with the main attraction being the opportunity to walk along the former runway. The landscape has been shaped by sand and gravel pits, but the area is increasingly becoming an important habitat for a variety of birds and other wildlife. The singing of skylarks fills the air, while birds of prey soar high in the sky where military aircraft once flew.

The reserve is part of a larger project by the Wildlife Trusts, aiming to create a connected network of nature reserves to support wildlife and improve public access. In addition to the scenic beauty, visitors can take part in special events and learn more about the historical significance of the site.

The Woodhall Spa Aerodrome Nature Reserve is therefore both a place of tranquility and wildlife observation, as well as a monument to aviation history. It provides a unique opportunity to connect nature and history, and observe the area's development as a habitat for wildlife.

Contact details

Web

Phone
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Address
Unnamed Road
LN10 6UQ Woodhall Spa

Map view

Reviews

18 Reviews

Clive Francis
21.06.2024

Tap in the entry code at the gate and instantly enter another time zone, another world. Common terns, egrets, Egyptian geese, greylags, Canada's, starlings, gulls, lapwings..... that's just the start. We spotted a solitary deer from one of the viewpoints. Possibly a fallow? Just my wife, myself and Mother Nature, all to ourselves for 3 glorious hours. Then we drove back to reality🫣.
bill b
03.04.2024

Great place to visit, sad to see some "dog" types slag it off because they are not allowed to let bozo run free and litter the place with dog poo bags. Its a wildlife sanctuary for goodness sake, there is plenty of other places where you can (and do) make your own "dog bag trees"
tom huck
08.12.2023

Great place to do a bit of birdwatching.
Rob Smedley
15.10.2023

Steeped in history and very tranquil, just the sound of birds, and the occasional typhoon fast jet screaming above 😁
Black Five
24.09.2023

No dogs allowed big open space Lincolnshire wildlife trust Wase of time going to see. Never mind the history of site.
Graham Jenkins
09.07.2023

Wonderful place. I was lucky enough to be shown around by the warden who's enthusiasm for the project was inspirational. Without his expertise it might have appeared a bit bland but with a more informed eye it's clearly a fantastic resource for wildlife as well as preserving some WWII history.
Roger Gurney
12.03.2023

It's a very peaceful nature reserve plenty of hides for bird watching. I was more interested in the history of the airfield during ww2.
Clive Moore
13.02.2023

An often overlooked gem, easy walking for the less able bodied.
Steven Dodd
11.02.2023

Amazing place steeped with awesome history
Paul Hickling
09.02.2023

Great place for a spot of birding, two lakes full of wildfowl and a nice walk along the old runway
Witek Pogoda
28.01.2023

Chcieliśmy odwiedzić to miejsce ale żeby dostać kod dostępu do otwarcia bramy trzeba dzwonić wcześniej. Najlepiej zadzwonic od poniedziałku do piątku i wtedy jechać.
gary Ellix
09.01.2021

Great place for a peaceful walk and NO DOGS FANTASTIC 🙌
rich pearce
13.07.2019

Nice place
Neil Scott
19.04.2019

Great for practicing cycling without stabilisers
Emma Brown
15.09.2017

Not suitable for family's due to dog ban
Dean McBride
11.09.2017

RAF Woodhall Spa was home (primarily) to Wing Commander Guy Gibson's 617 Squadron, the most famous Lancaster Bomber Squadron of the Second World War and the Legends they became by target bombing the 3 main German Dams using the Bouncing Bomb designed by Barnes Wallace. This is the former RAF Aerodrome Woodhall Spa which during WWII was established as a satalite airfield to RAF Coningsby and has since been quarried, turned in to a nature reserve and a golf course. There are remnants of the peripheral RAF buildings surviving on the site as well as the original track which was part of the runway as signposted on the new main gates. It is a sorry sight to see but even through its demise it has brought wildlife to the area and improved the eco system. Although there is a 617 Memorial at Woodhall Spa village, it sadly lacks one on the actual site, however the local council has done its best to preserve the trijectory of the airfield which helps history buffs like myself to gain a ground level view of the former aerodrome. I would like to see the Local Council and the Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust establish a permanant Memorial on this site, preferably at the main entrance area which is accessible to all; there was a memorial but was moved to Thorpe Camp, given now that this site is settled I feel that an additional monument should be placed here. My personal rating for RAF Woodhall Spa is 10/10. Ab-Initio Verimus-Caelum.

 

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