Information for record number MWA8094:
RAF Leamington Spa

Summary RAF Leamington Spa. During the Second World War Leamington Spa Airfield was taken over by the RAF and extended. The site was located to the east of Harbury Lane.
What Is It?  
Type: Airfield
Period: Modern (1914 AD - 2050 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Whitnash
District: Warwick, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 33 61
(Data represented on this map shows the current selected record as a single point, this is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an accurate or complete representation of archaeological sites or features)
Level of Protection National - Old SMR PrefRef (Grade: )
Sites & Monuments Record
Description

  
Source Number  

1 Bonniksen's Airfield (MWA 8092, MWA 8093) was taken over by the RAF during WWII and extended NE to the railway, and SE. Apparently the landing area was so close to the railway that the trains were stopped when the aircraft were landing or taking off in that direction. Buildings located SP3161 appear to include two hangers and a watch tower from the period of RAF use.
2 Report of a student project investigating the changing use of RAF Airfields in Warwickshire.
3 Described as a Relief Landing Ground (RLG). For a major part of the war Leamington was used for the repair and reconditioning of Hampden and Whitley bombers. However, on ocassions it was used as an emergency landing ground for training aircraft from both Ansty and Church Lawford.
4 A Second World War Airfield, (RAF Leamington Spa), is visible on aerial photographs taken in 1948. The Airfield originated as a private Airfield after the First World War by Major J E Bonniksen and was requisitioned and extended for use by the RAF during the Second World War. Two aircraft hangars (which was camoflaged during the war) and a few airfield buildings are visible and remain extant on recent aerial photographs taken 2006. A compass platform was also visible on the edge of the Airfield. A probable dispersed accommodation camp for the aircrew is located nearby (Monument Number 1529071
 
Sources
Source No: 2
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Fifty Years of Changing Land Use
Author/originator: Freeman H
Date: 1989
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Warwickshire Airfields in the Second World War
Author/originator: Smith G
Date: 2004
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Desk Top Study
Title: SE Warwickshire and Cotswolds NMP Project
Author/originator: Amanda Dickson
Date: 2010-2012
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: Record form
Author/originator: Brace J
Date: 1997
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
technique Aerial Photograph Aerial photographs are taken during an aerial survey, which involves looking at the ground from above. It is usually easier to see cropmarks and earthworks when they are viewed from above. Aerial photographs help archaeologists to record what they see and to identify new sites. There are two kinds of aerial photographs; oblique and vertical. back
period Modern The Modern Period, about 1915 AD to the present (the 20th and 21st centuries AD)

In recent years archaeologists have realised the importance of recording modern sites. They do this so that in the future people will be able to look at the remains to help them understand the events to which they are related.
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period modern About 1915 AD to the present (the 20th and 21st centuries AD)

In recent years archaeologists have realised the importance of recording modern sites. They do this so that in the future people will be able to look at the remains to help them understand the events to which they are related.
more -> 		back
monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument AIRFIELD BUILDING * Non-specific building type associated with an airfield. back
monument BUILDING * A structure with a roof to provide shelter from the weather for occupants or contents. Use specific type where known. back
monument CHURCH * A building used for public Christian worship. Use more specific type where known. back
monument WATCH TOWER * A building or structure from which observation is kept of the approach of danger. back
monument EMERGENCY LANDING GROUND * A prepared area of cleared ground on which an aircraft could make an emergency landing. back
monument PLATFORM * Unspecified. Use specific type where known. back
monument AIRCRAFT * An aircraft, either whole or in part. Aircraft often survive as commemorative monuments, gate guardians or crash sites. back
monument AIRCRAFT HANGAR * A structure used for the housing and servicing of aircraft. back
monument AIRFIELD * An area or site used for the landing and take-off of aircraft, often including associated buildings, equipment and other installations. back
monument RAILWAY * A line or track consisting of iron or steel rails, on which passenger carriages or goods wagons are moved, usually by a locomotive engine. back
monument SPA * A medicinal or mineral spring often with an associated building. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record