| Located just over the Lincolnshire county boundary on the Leicestershire side of Rutland. Woolfox Lodge, which was named after a nearby manor house, was one of several RAF stations to be built around the A1 road.
The airfield was situated about 6 miles North-West of Stamford, East of the A1 next to the Southbound carriageway. It opened in 1940 and was initially a relief landing ground for the nearby airfields at Cottesmore and North Luffenham. Then in 1942 it was expanded and enlarged to become to become a fully active bomber airfield. Post war, the site was used again simply as a relief landing ground, up until 1960 when it was converted into a Bloodhound missile base. It finally closed in 1965 and was sold off the following year. Today the airfield has reverted to agriculture, though the perimeter track is still mostly intact and sections of runway still remain. The old control tower was converted into a house after the bases closure and was occupied up until the late 70’s, but has stood empty since this time and is now derelict. The old bloodhound missile complex that was built on the main runway appears mostly intact, and is visible from the A1. The perimeter fence is still standing, which is now being used by the farmer to pen in his sheep and many of the old service buildings are still contained within, albeit derelict. Part of the airfield next to the A1 is also occupied by a small industrial estate. A public footpath skirts round the Northern edge of the airfield, which enabled me to nip across and photograph the old tower. I was also able to grab a few shots of the runways from the main entrance off the A1, however please note that as this is private farmland there is no actual public access across airfield itself. |
Sign by the former main entrance 735x500 |
This used to be the main entrance off the A1. 700x525 |
Looking South-East down the surviving peri-track, away from the industrial estate. 700x525 |
This farmers track used to be the foot of the NE-SW runway. 700x525 |
This section, where it crosses the NW-SE runway is its original width. 700x525 |
Looking SE down to the foot of the main runway, where it intersects with the NE-SW runway. 700x525 |
Looking North, the old control tower in the distance. 700x525 |
Looking NW up the main runway towards the old bloodhound complex. 700x525 |
Is this an original nissen hut in the grounds of Woolfox depot? 700x500 |
Surviving bloodhound complex buildings in fenced off area. 700x500 |
Surviving bloodhound complex building in fenced off area. 700x500 |
Looking down what was once the main NW-SE runway, back towards the bloodhound complex. This section has been churned up. 700x525 |
Looking NE along the peri-track. 700x525 |
Not much to look at, but this hardstanding near the NW head of the main runway was a hanger base. 700x525 |
The old control tower. 700x525 |
The old control tower. 700x525 |
The old control tower 700x525 |
The old control tower 700x525 |
Side entrance. 700x525 |
Downstairs front office (note old bench on left). 700x525 |
Downstairs front office, another view. The fireplace was a post war addition from when the building was converted into a house. 700x525 |
View outside accross the airfield. 700x525 |
View upstairs (the wood has rotten away) 525x700 |
Pyro store, next to tower. 700x525 |
