Information for record number MWA8092:
Leamington Spa (Bishops Tachbrook) Airfield

Summary Leamington Spa (Bishops Tachbrook) Airfield opened in 1932. It 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 A private airfield, or landing ground, opened and managed by a Major J E Bonniksen after WW1. Known locally as Bonniksen's airfield, it continued as a private airfield until WW2. Facilities included: the owner's bungalow, a petrol pump, an office, and a hanger.
2 Leamington Spa (Bishops Tachbrook). Position N5215 W00131, elevation 236ft, Status CL [Civil Aerodrome Closed 9B].
3 Advertisement with location plan and detailed plan of airfield apparently from AA publications.
4 Newsletter.
5 A two page description of the airfield and its facilities.
6 The A.A. Register of Landing Grounds, Leamington Warwick.
7 "The idea of Leamington having its own airfield was solely that of Major Julius Edward Bonniksen -------. When the airfield opened in 1932 -------. Now that he was in business he set about --- offering tuition and a taxi service. ----- The Leamington Spa and Warwickshire District Aero Club was established by the Major in April 1934 ------." Descriptive text, photographs, plan and very iformative sketch of the facilities.
8 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 camouflaged 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.
 
Sources
Source No: 7
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Aviation in Warwickshire Between the Wars
Author/originator: Jenks, Alfred J.
Date: 2006
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Newsletter: Bonniksens Airfield
Author/originator: Wellesbourne Aviation Group
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Aerodrome Index Edition 6
Author/originator: Civil Aviation Authority
Date: 1982
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: CAP A81
   
Source No: 5
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Enterprise at Leamington Spa
Author/originator:
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 8
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Premises, Sites etc. within 30 miles of Harrington Museum used for Military Purposes.
Author/originator: John Brace
Date: Before 2017.
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No:
Source Type: Descriptive Text
Title: The A.A. Register of Landing Grounds. Leamington Warwick.
Author/originator: J Brace
Date: 1930's
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Plan
Title: All Roads Lead to the Royal Leamington Spa Aircraft Park ...
Author/originator:
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: Record form
Author/originator: Brace, J
Date: 1998
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
There are no images associated with this record.  
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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.
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monument CIVIL * This is the top term for the class. See CIVIL Class List for narrow terms. 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 CLUB * A building used by an association of persons for social and recreational purposes or for the promotion of some common object. back
monument PARK * An enclosed piece of land, generally large in area, used for hunting, the cultivation of trees, for grazing sheep and cattle or visual enjoyment. Use more specific type where known. back
monument ROAD * A way between different places, used by horses, travellers on foot and vehicles. back
monument MUSEUM * A building, group of buildings or space within a building, where objects of value such as works of art, antiquities, scientific specimens, or other artefacts are housed and displayed. 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 PETROL PUMP * A pump used to transfer petrol from a storage tank into cars, lorries and other road vehicles. back
monument OFFICE * A building or room where business, administrative or professional activities are conducted. Use specific type where known. back
monument BUNGALOW * A one-storey house. back
monument SPA * A medicinal or mineral spring often with an associated building. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record