1. The History
RAF Woolfox Lodge is a former RAF aerodrome that lies to the east of the A1 road and just inside the northern boundary of Rutland. The airfield itself is split between the parishes of Empingham and Greetham. It was first opened in 1940 before finally closing in 1965. Initially opened as a reserve landing ground for RAF Cottesmore, it then became a satellite to RAF North Luffenham in Autumn 1941 until 'full station status' was granted in June 1943. In its wartime heyday it boasted three tarmac runways and one Type B1 and four T2 aircraft hangars. There was also temporary accommodation for 1,149 male and 252 female personnel. Initially it played host to Avro Manchesters before the Lancasters arrived in April 1942 along with Stirling Shorts in 1944.
In later years it was again used as a relief landing ground until, in later years, its runways deteriorated to such an extent that the airfield was closed to flying in spring of 1954. In 1960 a Bloodhound surface-to-air missile site under No. 62 Squadron was positioned in a secure area adjacent to the A1 road, near the former technical site. After 1965, the base was returned to agricultural usage and the main airstrip was torn up and used as a ballast for the newly improved A1.
Today there is still stuff to see. The most impressive building is the Night Watch Tower which is in relatively good condition. However, many of the other buildings like the Crew Rest, Locker and Drying Room buildings have long since been demo’ed. The Bloodhound area has a number of buildings left, but is securely fenced off and effectively out-of-bounds.
2. The Explore
Another archive report, from September 2014. The thing I was after seeing was the Night Watch Tower. Remember it being a very overcast morning. Parked up in the lay-by on the southern carriage way of the A1; the best point of access as the buildings of most interest can be found at the northern tip of the airfield just south of Woolfox woods. Decided to approach by skulking through the woods. Just as well as if I’d walked down the peri-track I would have bumped into the farmer driving along it in his Land Rover with dog running behind him! Having avoided them, I had the place to myself. Didn’t venture over to the part where the bloodhound missiles used to be as there isn’t a lot left plus it is much more exposed. Here’s an aerial view from Google Earth:
So, nothing spectacular but in terms of the watch tower, it’s one of the better condition examples in the UK.
3. The Pictures
The first building you come to after leaving Woolfox Woods is the AML Bombing Teacher/Turret Trainer Building:
A short distance away is a chimney stack still standing proud (somehow!)...the building having long perished:
And then on to an old farmhouse that was used as the Armoury and Station HQ:
In here was the remains of a very old car:
Then on to the main reason for coming. The fab Night Watch Tower:
Inside we go:
Downstairs, traces of the original paint scheme can be seen:
This was quite poignant:
Apparently after the war the tower was used as a game-keeper's house, hence the non-regulation RAF fireplace:
Downstairs the original window-frames survive:
But the main room upstairs has been blocked up so little to see:
Another quick external of the tower:
Before we head into the crew briefing building:
Here’s the concrete base of one of the airfield's four T2 Hangers.
And finally, back off into the woods where there are a few other remnants of the airfield. Not too sure what this is:
But apparently this is a document safe, the building once accommodating it now ironically perished.
RAF Woolfox Lodge is a former RAF aerodrome that lies to the east of the A1 road and just inside the northern boundary of Rutland. The airfield itself is split between the parishes of Empingham and Greetham. It was first opened in 1940 before finally closing in 1965. Initially opened as a reserve landing ground for RAF Cottesmore, it then became a satellite to RAF North Luffenham in Autumn 1941 until 'full station status' was granted in June 1943. In its wartime heyday it boasted three tarmac runways and one Type B1 and four T2 aircraft hangars. There was also temporary accommodation for 1,149 male and 252 female personnel. Initially it played host to Avro Manchesters before the Lancasters arrived in April 1942 along with Stirling Shorts in 1944.
In later years it was again used as a relief landing ground until, in later years, its runways deteriorated to such an extent that the airfield was closed to flying in spring of 1954. In 1960 a Bloodhound surface-to-air missile site under No. 62 Squadron was positioned in a secure area adjacent to the A1 road, near the former technical site. After 1965, the base was returned to agricultural usage and the main airstrip was torn up and used as a ballast for the newly improved A1.
Today there is still stuff to see. The most impressive building is the Night Watch Tower which is in relatively good condition. However, many of the other buildings like the Crew Rest, Locker and Drying Room buildings have long since been demo’ed. The Bloodhound area has a number of buildings left, but is securely fenced off and effectively out-of-bounds.
2. The Explore
Another archive report, from September 2014. The thing I was after seeing was the Night Watch Tower. Remember it being a very overcast morning. Parked up in the lay-by on the southern carriage way of the A1; the best point of access as the buildings of most interest can be found at the northern tip of the airfield just south of Woolfox woods. Decided to approach by skulking through the woods. Just as well as if I’d walked down the peri-track I would have bumped into the farmer driving along it in his Land Rover with dog running behind him! Having avoided them, I had the place to myself. Didn’t venture over to the part where the bloodhound missiles used to be as there isn’t a lot left plus it is much more exposed. Here’s an aerial view from Google Earth:
So, nothing spectacular but in terms of the watch tower, it’s one of the better condition examples in the UK.
3. The Pictures
The first building you come to after leaving Woolfox Woods is the AML Bombing Teacher/Turret Trainer Building:
A short distance away is a chimney stack still standing proud (somehow!)...the building having long perished:
And then on to an old farmhouse that was used as the Armoury and Station HQ:
In here was the remains of a very old car:
Then on to the main reason for coming. The fab Night Watch Tower:
Inside we go:
Downstairs, traces of the original paint scheme can be seen:
This was quite poignant:
Apparently after the war the tower was used as a game-keeper's house, hence the non-regulation RAF fireplace:
Downstairs the original window-frames survive:
But the main room upstairs has been blocked up so little to see:
Another quick external of the tower:
Before we head into the crew briefing building:
Here’s the concrete base of one of the airfield's four T2 Hangers.
And finally, back off into the woods where there are a few other remnants of the airfield. Not too sure what this is:
But apparently this is a document safe, the building once accommodating it now ironically perished.
