Aviators throughout the UK are always keen to see the best aircraft in aviation. Whether you are a keen plane spotter, or a passer-by planer spotter, we have found the best locations in the UK to go and see those planes that you love most.
Plane spotting is a hobby where you track the movement of aircraft which is often accompanied by aviation photography. Quite often people that plane spot will track aircraft that they see through logs and images.
So where can you go to see these beautiful planes? Here is some of our best locations in the UK to see the aircraft in our skies.
RAF Brize Norton - Military Plane Spotting
Brize Norton is located south of the A40, about 22 miles west of Oxford, between Brize Norton village and Carterton town. It is the largest RAF station and serves as the RAF's Mildenhall, housing the tanker and air transport fleet.
You can stand in the field for a clear shot of anything falling on 08, but getting there requires climbing the wooden fence here or passing through the gate you've already passed through. Continue, and taller people can almost take pictures without a stepladder on the small bridge over the stream; you can even stand on the rails to see over the fence here.
London City Airport - General Aviation Plane Spotting
The docklands airport is a success story in UK aviation. The excitement for fans comes from watching the aircraft approach and take off and witnessing aircraft not typically seen in the UK, ranging from the based fleet of BA CityFlyer Embraers and BA's independent Airbus A318 fleet to commuter types from airlines across Europe. The dock beside London City is an excellent area to observe the activity and take photos, and it is easily accessible by the bridge west of the airport terminal.
Duxford Imperial War Museum - Historic Aircraft Plane Spotting
Duxford is home to the sole SR-71 Blackbird outside the United States. A fantastic compilation of aviation history. With antique planes flying around you from the neighbouring grass runway, you can truly immerse yourself in the various eras of flight depicted at this excellent museum.
With antique planes flying around you from the neighboring grass runway, you can truly immerse yourself in the various eras of flight depicted at this excellent museum. Take advantage of this opportunity.
London Stansted, Belmer Road - General Aviation Plane Spotting
The Belmer Road spotting point at London Stansted Airport serves as a staging area for the action. After parking alongside the road (there are typically other cars parked there, especially on weekends), it's a short walk through one of the tree gaps to the open area that runs alongside a substantial portion of the fence on the airport's northern side. The airport's runway is just in front of you; you may photograph it through the fence or while aircraft fly above it. Most aircraft movements may be seen from here, but you'll generally have to wait for them to move away from the passenger terminal before identifying them.
Manchester Runway Visitor Park - General Aviation Plane Spotting
The Runway Visitor Park is located near Manchester Airport's bustling runways, with raised viewing areas where you can stand just a few meters from the jets as they take off and land. The park also houses retired planes, such as the stunning supersonic airliner Concorde G-BOAC; Nimrod, a former RAF military espionage plane; a DC-10, Avro RJX, and a retro Trident airliner.
You can bring your picnic or purchase food and beverages at the RVP coffee shop. There is also a play area and The Aviation Shop, which sells plane-related gifts for children and severe aircraft aficionados. On weekends, you can see the live commentary of the airport's activities.
Scottish Islands - General Aviation Spotting
Most of Scotland's isolated Out Hebrides, Shetland, and the Orkney Islands have small airports that provide essential links to these distant populations. A Flybe/Loganair link typically serves them to Glasgow or a Loganair or Hebridean Air Services BN Islander link to a neighboring island. The unique beach runway at Barra, off the west coast, is one of the highlights when the tide is out.
DHC-6 Twin Otters land here and park on the dunes outside the port. Another attraction is the world's shortest commercial flight, which takes less than a minute on a good day between Westray and Papa Westray in the Orkney Islands.
Heathrow Airport - General Aviation Plane Spotting
There are various locations where folks with flashy cameras may get some fantastic picture-perfect images of Heathrow's jets for Instagram. A public field nearby is well-known for producing some spectacular photos. Myrtle Avenue is the location. Myrtle Avenue is a popular place for plane spotters, so get there early if you want images without the crowd - though if you're a Photoshop genius, this won't be an issue. Airport Spotting Hotels can help you make the most of your spotting vacations.