Boscombe Down (QinetiQ)

1Northeast side approach -1

This spot is the most used. Take the exit from the A303 towards Allington to drive along the airfield at your right. When you see the runway, park your car along the road; there are some spots to allow all traffic to pass. Do not wander towards the gate but keep some distance. As you are located on a hill, you will have a good view of the airfield and you can spot all action on the apron and runway. In the afternoon, locate yourself along the roads for a good spot to photograph the landing aircraft.
(Note: signs posted here tell you that photography is not permitted.)

2Northeast side approach - 2

For photography of the aircraft coming in to land on the runway 23, it is best to park your car near spot 1 and to walk up the hill onto a small road along the landing lights.

3Helicopter Hangar

On this spot, it is possible to peek into the hangar with a good 60x binocular. At the twitch in the road, walk into the field towards the fence closest to the hangar.

4South side approach

From spot 1, follow the Allington Track you are on towards Allington. At the crossing, take a right towards Boscombe and Idmiston via the A338/Tidworth Road. At the crossing with a south turn towards Idmiston via the Church Road, take the small road to the north. This will lead you to the fence and to a spot for landing traffic on runway 35. Most of the times this spot will give you some possibilities to read the helicopters exercising in this area as well.

5Southwest side approach

With easterly landings you will have to use this spot. Drive southbound from Amesbury via the A345 towards a small road to the east just when you see the runway. This Winterslow Road will run close to the perimeter fence but is somewhat lower than the runway, restricting any view of the runway. However, landing traffic can be easily seen and photographed. Parking could be a problem.

6View from the west

You can have a view of the runway from spot 6, but it is not really recommended as it is located on a small road and very close to the fence. From Amesbury, drive towards the airfield and take a south turn along Porton Road. When this road makes a turn leading you away from the airport, there is a small road to the left towards the fence.

7Boscombe Down museum

Driving south along the base perimeter on Porton road, you will come across the previous site of the Boscombe Down Aviation Collection. The museum has moved to nearby Old Sarum airport, however, for now, some airframes are still near the NAS as they are sold and will be scrapped, except for two Phantoms.

8Main gate

Coming from the A303, drive into Amesbury and follow the signs towards the airfield. At the main gate, there is a Lightning preserved.

9View from the north

From spot 1, there is a small dirt road along the perimeter. For better angles on the aircraft parked on the apron, you can walk along this road. Stay away from the fence and do not stay too long.