Woodhall Spa Airfield

Woodhall Spa Airfield

Woodhall Spa Airfield

No dogs
Limited access
Car park
Viewing areas

Woodhall Spa Airfield Nature Reserve

Woodhall Spa Airfield was formerly the home of four brave RAF squadrons, including 617 ‘The Dambusters’ Squadron, but more recently was used as a sand and gravel quarry.

As a nature reserve it is a haven for wildlife as well as a place where visitors can share in the unique and peaceful atmosphere of this former airfield.

What’s on

Walking

Nick Upton/2020VISION

Visitor information

Know before you go

Facilities

  • Visitor parking
  • Bird hide
  • Viewing areas

Dogs

Dogs are not permitted on this reserve with the exception of assistance dogs.

Access

The main path along the reserve is the airfield's former concrete runway.

Please note: The reserve has a locked pedestrian gate for security. You will need an access code to enter the reserve. Please contact us during office hours on 01507 526667 or send us a private message on our Facebook page. If you require wheelchair access, please contact 01507 526667 ahead of your journey.

Opening times

Reserve open all year.

Please note: Pedestrian access is via a locked gate and requires an access code. If visiting on a weekend, you will need to contact us for the access code on a weekday before travelling. The code is regularly updated, so even if you've visited before it's best to ring ahead.

Group visits

Any organised groups wishing to visit a reserve must fill in a Group Visit Form at least one month in advance of their visit. You can find the form on our group visit page.

Alternatively if you are looking to bring a school group, please contact info@lincstrust.co.uk

Car park

Free parking is available at Woodhall Spa Airfield Nature Reserve.

Location and contact details

Woodhall Spa Airfield
Tattershall Road
Woodhall Spa
Lincolnshire
LN4 4JT

Please note, this postcode is for the nearest registered address as we are unable to get postcodes for nature reserves.

OS Map Reference: TF 206 608

What3Words: ///copycat.disco.opposing

Contact number: 01507 526667
Contact email: info@lincstrust.co.uk

Habitats and species

Woodhall Spa Airfield is a landscape of sandy soils with acid grassland, heathland with some marsh areas and open water. As a nature reserve it will become a haven for wildlife as well as a place where visitors can share in the unique and peaceful atmosphere of this former airfield.

Take a look at the images below of some of the wildlife you might expect to find on the reserve.

There may just be something going on beyond the nature and the peace and

quiet in this big empty space, so you can almost see the bombers trundling off,

knowing that so many of them did not come back.

Chris Williams
Father, John Williams, was a Lancaster bomber pilot at Woodhall Spa

Aviation heritage

Woodhall Spa Airfield was constructed on former farmland as a satellite station to RAF Coningsby and opened in February 1942. During World War Two it was home to a number of RAF squadrons including the famous 617 “Dambusters” squadron. Other squadrons at RAF Woodhall Spa included 97 Squadron and 619 Squadron, which were heavily involved in the early operations of the Avro Lancaster bomber. Another squadron based at RAF Woodhall Spa was 627, which crucially developed a method of low level target marking that proved to be extremely successful.

The most famous squadron to serve at RAF Woodhall Spa was 617 "Dambusters" Squadron, which was based at RAF Woodhall Spa for most of the Second World War. It was this squadron that famously used the highly innovative “bouncing bomb” developed by Barnes Wallis to destroy three major dams in the Ruhr industrial region of Germany.

Wild Weekend

Katrina Martin/2020VISION

Wild Weekends

 

There's plenty to see and do around Woodhall Spa Airfield, from experiencing the unique history of this quaint village, to entertaining the kids at the local attractions.

Why not turn your visit wild, and make a weekend of it!

Go WILD!

Keep in touch

See all the latest news and updates from the Trust on our social media pages, or search for a nearby event.

Poppies

Gillian Day

Make a donation

Help us continue to protect special wild places like Woodhall Spa Airfield for people and for wildlife
£