Visit London's first airport and once the world's largest!

Cultural & Heritage
Nov 03
2024

12 people attending

0 places left

2 people waitlisted

Your price
£12.50
Event booking closes on Nov 3 at 10:00:00
Event difficulty background shape EventDifficulty
Easy Moderate Very Hard
A 45 to 60 minute walking tour, followed by ample time to visit a small museum. Some stairs, but a lift is available to access most of the building.

Following successful ODL visits in December and April, I am offering another opportunity to join me on a journey through the history of historic Croydon Airport, the official air terminus for London. Croydon was a world leader and played a pivotal role in airport development, in fact it was the world's largest airport in 1928.

Our open days are extremely popular. If you sign up, please make every effort to attend.  If our numbers fall below 12, we may be joined by members of the public.

Tour highlights 

From its early origins as a First World War airfield to the roaring twenties and the Golden Age of Flying. Croydon was the UK's first international airport serving destinations in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and even as far as Australia.

Hear about those early aviators and their flying machines, at a time when flying was reserved for the rich and famous. Croydon also served as a Battle of Britain airfield defending London from enemy aircraft, in addition to Kenley and Biggin Hill. 

Discover the birthplace of Air Traffic Control, record-breaking aviators like Amy Johnson, our first national airline Imperial Airways, and aircraft like the mighty HP - 42, the Jumbo Jet of its era. 

Your tour guide 

As well as an ODL walk leader, I'm a self-confessed aviation geek and I've been a volunteer at the Croydon Airport Visitor Centre for nearly 8 years. 

Costs

On entry, please make a voluntary donation of £8 or more per adult toward the upkeep of the museum, payable by cash or card. We also have a small retail area selling a range of Croydon Airport related books, postcards and branded items. 

Note, there is no need to book a separate ticket online, just book onto the event as usual. 

New Members

New members are very welcome. Please message me if you have any questions or concerns before the day. 

After

Join me for a drink, tea or coffee next door in the Aerodrome Hotel from 15.45

Visit https://www.historiccroydonairport.org.uk for more information about Croydon Airport. 

All photographs are either my own, or have been uploaded with permission from the Historic Croydon Airport Trust. 

HP 42
Heron
HP 42
Heron