| Built on the site of a former RFC landing ground, Hemswell was one of the many airfields to be built alongside the A15, North of Lincoln. Located about 13 miles North of the city on the A613 road, a mile East of Hemswell village, the base was one of the RAF’s expansion period airfields, which opened in 1937.
The base continued as a bomber airfield up until 1956, when it was redeveloped as a Thor missile complex for the USAF. The base changed again in 1964 when Thor missiles where taken out of service, and was then used as an RAF recruitment and training school. Hemswell finally closed in 1967 and was gradually sold off in various lots. The main base itself is now a trading estate, which boasts as having the largest antiques centre in Europe, and on weekends is also home to a bustling Sunday market. The airfield has been turned back into arable farmland, though sections of runway and perimeter track are still largely intact, though these are not all readily available to photograph as they’re on private property. The old control tower is still there, though is barely recognizable having been extended and a warehouse built onto the side. All 4 hangers are still in place, now being used for warehousing and grain storage. The old officer’s mess opposite the base is now a private hotel, and most of the old RAF married quarters housing forms part of a private housing estate. However, the RAF still own a small section of the houses for servicemen working at Scampton and nearby Rapier Army Barracks. They also jointly co-own and manage the community centre with the local council. There are 2 memorials to the old base, one can be found alongside the A613 road next to the turning for the main entrance. The other is located on the old base itself on the former parade ground. A small RAF museum used to be located on the site, but this was forced to close in 2005. |
Former main entrance off the A613 700x525 |
Former main gate, with former guard room to the left. 700x525 |
Buisiness park directory. 700x525 |
Former guard room, now an antiques centre. 700x525 |
Station HQ, now a set of offices. 700x525 |
One of the many converted blocks, which is now an antiques centre. 700x525 |
Another converted H block, now an antiques centre. 700x525 |
This block is now an old folks home. 700x525 |
This is where the Museum used to be. 700x525 |
The old water tower. 700x525 |
Road around complex, with boiler house in background. 700x525 |
Former parade ground, now a car park. 700x525 |
Station memorial in old parade ground. 700x525 |
Close up of memorial. 525x700 |
Memorial outside main entrance. 700x525 |
Close up of memorial. 525x700 |
Airfield entrance off A613, with hangers in background. 700x525 |
View of remaining peri-track, looking West. 700x525 |
Foot of former N-S runway, now a single track. 700x525 |
Old C type hanger, now used for warehousing. 700x525 |
The old control tower, with extension and built on warehouse. 700x525 |
Rear view of old tower. 700x525 |
Former T2 hanger, now used for grain storage. 700x500 |
Remains of looped dispersal pan. 700x525 |
