Upottery Airfield Tours

A former RAF station turned living museum, Upottery Airfield sits just outside Honiton and pulls you straight back into the 1940s. The tarmac still bears the scars of wartime operations, and you can walk across the same runways where Spitfires once thundered into the sky. The hangars are modest affairs compared to what you might expect, but that's rather the point - this place feels genuinely untouched by heritage tourism polish.

What you actually do here depends on the tour, but expect to see restored aircraft, wartime buildings, and if you're lucky, get the full story from volunteers who genuinely know their stuff. History buffs will be in their element for a good two hours. Kids under ten might find it a bit static unless they're already aircraft-mad; teenagers and adults will get more from it.

You're looking at a morning or early afternoon visit rather than a full day out. Pair it with the countryside around Honiton itself - proper Devon farmland - or base yourself at one of the nearby glamping spots like Hartridge Springs Spa or Dimpsey Shepherd's Hut if you want to stay local. Both sit within easy driving distance, so you could do the airfield and still have time for a decent walk or village pub lunch.

Worth checking ahead before you go - opening hours aren't always obvious online, and tours sometimes run on set dates rather than daily.