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Runway 24, Main road Layby
This is the primary viewing area at Lyneham. Park up here and get a view of the RWY24 approach as far as 6 miles out. The problem with this location is not just shooting into the sun but also there are too many trees. Further up the road towards Bradenstoke there is a hole in the hedge where you can get a view of Runway 24, it's not perfect but atleast you can see whats going on. |
Sun Position:
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Distance to car:  |
Rating:
5/10 |
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Resident's Carpark, Field
This is one of the best locations, if not THE best at Lyneham.
If you drive down St. Michael's close, directly infront of Runway 24 and turn right at the end you will find yourself in a small carpark.
Residents dont mind you using this area aslong as it's used sparingly. On the otherside of the fence is a crop field, if you stick to the edges then no one will have any problems with you being there and is good for varying your shots. |
Sun Position:
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Distance to car: |
Rating:
8/10 |
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Runway 18
Not many people know just how good this location is.
When runway 24 is in use, stand at the crashgate (ladder required) to get taxi and line-up shots. To the right there is a passage through the hedge which overlooks the whole airfield. When 18/36 in use it's good to use the gap in the hedge. But a secret spot is by the grit-bin on the Bradenstoke road. Go through the hole in the hedge and you can walk right infront of the runway (pictured). |
Sun Position:
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Park and view?: |
Rating:
7/10 |
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Bradenstoke Park
Not a good location unless its overcast or your just viewing. You get a good runway-side view at the rotate park fo 24/06. The park is quite long so you can adjust depending on the aircraft. There is also a strong climbing frame to get some height to your shots. |
Sun Position:
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Park and view?
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Rating:
4/10 |
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Wessex Ruin
This Wessex is on the far side of the airfield out of view.
You can either park up at Bradenstoke and walk around the bridle route or from Point 7, Runway 06 hold you can walk through the wood.
Very easy to photograph and as its on a corner you can shoot both sides and the front. |
Sun Position:
Late in the day |
Park and view?: |
Rating:
10/10 |
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The Foxham road
Too far for decent shots but good enough if your only stopping off to quickly snap something either taking off on 24 or landing on 06. Theres a footpath here that takes you up to Point 7 too. |
Sun Position:
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Park and view?: |
Rating:
5/10 |
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Runway 06 hold
The best place to come at RAF Lyneham.
When 06 is in use you get superb shots of aircraft holding just to the right of you and some good landing shots with trees behind the aircraft. You can vary your shot too by either going further up the track to get closer to the aircraft or coming back on your self so you get a bit of distance. |
Sun Position:
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Park and view?: |
Rating:
10/10 |
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Runway 36 Threshold
A fun location to shoot from, if they're landing on 36 you can go ultra-low overhead shots (not reccommended) or from the side at any angle you like. If Landing on Runway 18 then you can get head on down the runway shots as pictured left. |
Sun Position:
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Park and view?: |
Rating:
8/10 |
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The Cottages
Not very good for photography but nice to get a good look on the Apron. It's basically a carpark for residents with a hole in the hedge. Residents have recently been getting annoyed with spotters wrecking their hedge though and have began putting things in the way such as wheel barrows and bins etc. |
Sun Position:
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Park and view?: |
Rating:
5/10 |
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The Dog Field
Some guides say this is a good place to get some photographs and that the land owners are ok with it. This is not the case. The land owners regularly release dogs into that field that are trained as security dogs. Your not missing much from this location so dont worry. |
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The dis-used Field
Potentially one of the greatest spots at Lyneham but the land owner hates people on it! He's got electric fencing up and keeps an eye on anyone looking at the land even though its not used for much. I would stay clear. |
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Married Quarters
Not really a warning but many people think they can get decent pictures up there of the apron but this is not the case. There is a big embankment in the way to cut down noise so best not to bother. |
Parking to walk round the base
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The Foxham Road
This location isn't really good for parking as you park on a verge but is ok for one or two small cars. You basically walk up the hilly field to the wood where you come to a T-junction which you turn right up another hill to the crash gate. |
Time to walk:
10/15 Minutes |
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The Bradenstoke Route
Plenty of parking here, it's alot like a car park there and can fit quite a few. Take the bridle path on the left, dont follow the car track down or you'l end up heading down the valley. Just follow the perimeter fence round. Features to look out for - Wessex and fire practice jet. |
Time to walk:
45 Minutes |
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The New Zealand Route
The most popular but sadly the most awkward. If everyone parks sensibly you can fit about 4/5 cars here. Park in the dis-used gate area. Follow the bridle path going up towards the hangars. You will pass the armed aircraft pan on the way round aswell as some good wildlife. |
Time to walk:
15/20 Minutes |
Frequencies
| 1 | 038.550 | AIR/AIR | | 2 | 046.800 | AIR/AIR | | 3 | 118.425 | APPROACH | | 4 | 119.225 | TOWER | | 5 | 123.400 | LARS | | 6 | 231.875 | RADAR | | 7 | 233.125 | ATIS | | 8 | 234.150 | TOWER | | 9 | 240.825 | PAR | | 10 | 257.700 | AIR/AIR | | 11 | 278.700 | APPROACH | | 12 | 336.800 | AIR/AIR | | 13 | 338.350 | DIRECTOR | | 14 | 369.200 | GROUND | | 15 | 377.975 | OPERATIONS |
Food/Drink
In Lyneham village there are various takeaways open in the evening and a Cafe during the day. Lyneham also has a very reasonably priced Tescos and a Co Op store. These are all on the main Lyneham road before the main gate.
Transport
Public transport is good at Lyneham, the 55 service will get you to either Chippenham station or Swindon. Evenings and Sundays the 55A runs which is cheaper. Lyneham has a bus stop near Tesco/Main gate and another at New Zealand.
Thanks for visiting this page, I will keep it as up to date as i can and as a result content will be changed regularly.
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