Plane spotting in South & South West England
Holiday jets, coastal approaches and some of the best storage-and-maintenance spotting in Britain. Cotswold Airport at Kemble is a must for anyone who loves retired and stored airliners.
Airports & spotting locations
★ rating reflects how worthwhile the location is for a plane spotter. Always confirm current access and public rights of way before you travel.
| Airport | Rating | Best-known spotting spot | What makes it useful |
|---|---|---|---|
| BristolBRS | ★★★★ | Winters Lane / Felton Common | Excellent approach photography; substantial easyJet traffic. |
| Cornwall NewquayNQY | ★★★★ | St Mawgan / runway approach areas | Very long runway; scheduled jets plus occasional military, charter and unusual visitors. |
| Cotswold Airport / KembleGBA | ★★★★★ | Kemble perimeter / control-tower area | Retired and stored airliners, maintenance, ferry flights and bizjets — a spotter's favourite. |
| Lasham— | ★★★★ | A339 / perimeter public areas | Airliner maintenance and storage; often lots of 737 / A320-family aircraft on the ground. |
| BournemouthBOH | ★★★ | Parley Lane / Adventure Wonderland side | Holiday jets plus cargo, maintenance and unusual aircraft. |
| SouthamptonSOU | ★★★ | Itchen Valley Country Park / Monks Brook | Smaller jets and regional aircraft with close approaches. |
| ExeterEXT | ★★★ | Silver Lane / runway 26 approach | Holiday jets, regional aircraft and interesting maintenance movements. |
Log every catch on your day out
Take printable spotting sheets or the paperback log book to any of these locations — tick off types, note the registrations, and build a collection to be proud of.
Get your spotting sheets →