Exploring an Abandoned RAF Base in England: 30+ buildings

In this video, we visit various buildings at a vast, abandoned RAF Base in Eastern England. The property is was used throughout the Second World War until closure in the early 2000s.
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• Exploring an Abandoned...
REMINDER: We do not force entry into any of these places. We only use access points available to us on the day and if there is none, we leave the site how it was to conserve it. If we get in, we do not vandalise anything.
abandoned urbandoned derelict urbex uk england raf base r.a.f. royal air force military army world war 2 second two documentary walkthrough video

[@TheUrbanCollectiveWeFilmIt]

Quite litterally perfection in an Urban Exploration video. Stunningly shot - narrated and scored it just gave me feels man. By far one of the best Urbex channel's on KZbin. Thanks for the memories. Clarky.

[@Urbandoned]

Appreciate it, would say the same about your channel too

[@TheUrbanCollectiveWeFilmIt]

@@Urbandoned Cheers lads.

[@TheUrbanCollectiveWeFilmIt]

@user-mc3kp2mq1m Aww thanks for taking the time to comment your opinion it's invaluable to me. Love you x

[@petewarby7158]

I was in the RAF from 1988 to 1998 and look back with fondness on these old stations. It's so sad to see entire stations being allowed to just fall to the ground. There's so much these locations offer on terms of a ready built community, that's what there places were, after all. All the history, all the people that worked here, all the stories that are no doubt being told by 2nd generations. I really wish someone would get a grip of these places and make them live again.

[@snazmeister]

Given what is happening in the world, this should be rebuilt and made usable.

[@JohnSmith-ei2pz]

These stations are going to house illegal immigrants.

[@BrumKid]

There is not many stations left that i was stationed at and i was in the RAF from 1971 to 1987 so i left just before you joined up and also the same for over seas stations there were stations all over the world like, Gan, Hong Kong, Malta and many more which have all gone now. The only time RAF personal go overseas is if there is a war.

[@TheBioniXman]

Brought a tear to my eye to watch. Having served from 75 to 2001, I am familiar with many of the pre war stations and their buildings. Thanks for keeping the name to yourselves, it really does not deserve window smashing or graffiti gangs knowing where it is.

[@GManWrites]

I was there in 1969 on annual camp with the ATC 😪

[@mruppity64]

I served here in 1981, it brought back some good memories. like a lot of WWII Royal Air Force stations, they're all a variation on a theme, with a few local changes - like H blocks for accommodation, instead of the T blocks (ie 2 T blocks back to back) The middle bit was usually the ablutions block

[@somnambulist7705]

When you went in the gym i was surprised there still wasn’t a PTI in there admiring their muscles in the mirror

[@seanhayes9769]

" twice round my beautiful body... GO ! "

[@simonthorne4778]

Your videos are SO much more interesting than many of the other so called ‘historic’ videos that are put up on KZbin.This video reminded me of a old WW2 RAF base that I once explored and on returning home looking at my photos I was shocked that I had captured a clear photo of a WW2 pilot in uniform in the old RAF dining room when there had been nobody there except me! Keep up the good work lads..Simon👍

[@Luke-dj2tk]

Being an Ex British Soldier this really interests me, We handed our barracks in Germany back to the government in 2016. Apparently its left empty and overgrown now. Great video lads 👍

[@bomber785]

I was stationed at that camp between 89-92…. I was in the accommodation building down near the water tower you climbed closest to the road…. The grass area between the block and tower was turned over for car parking I worked in Hanger 4 which was the home of 66Sqn RAF Regt a Rapier SQN dedicated to low level air defence for USAF… the next hanger down was RTU, Rapier Training Unit where all the RAF Regt gunners would be trained up on how to operate the system. The NAAFI bar on site (at the top end of the main parade square) was called The Kestrel club taken from the name of the prototype aircraft that was flown from the station…. Later to become the Harrier. On the far side of the airfield was a Bloodhound squadron… a long range air defence missile system The camp closed in 93 with all the rapier units moving over to RAF Honnington, I was last down that way about 12 yrs ago and was surprised to see that the “I love Benbcular” sticker I had in my room window was still there. Thanks for the video brings back lots of memories

[@siocas]

in 1942 66SQN was based near my house at RAF Zeals near Stourhead in wiltshire some of the runways are still visible and the control tower is now a pvt residence, My late father was based at RAF Biggin Hill another base of 66SQN

[@jamiejenkinson2074]

Found this fascinating since I currently live on RAF Scampton in which the houses were partially sold off years ago to civilians like myself. Whilst RAF Scampton is still operational (albeit due for closure sometime in the next 18 months), most of the infantry barracks/buildings have been closed for years so this was a great insight into how they probably look inside 👍

[@ForgottenBuildings]

Really enjoyed the decay in the first building, I also was quite surprised about the level of details which were in that building, didn't expect that from a military building. Nice building btw!

[@Urbandoned]

Cheers man, neither did we!

[@WLT-lj3bw]

Pile of Twigs from Jackdaws nesting in chimney stack. Over time the fall down. Great video 👏🏻

[@simonba9944]

Parts of the officer's mess had a really 'Old Village Hall' vibe to them. A wonderful explore. Thanks and all the best from Buenos Aires! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@Urbandoned]

I agree! Thank you

[@carolinewaite7185]

This was great thank you. My dad was in the RAF in the 50s to around 1970 so this was theory of base he was on in the area. More please.

[@valeriehill5139]

Very interesting. My dad was in the RAF up until 1968. There is an old RAF base in Lincolnshire called Hemswell Cliff, which has been turned into an antique centre, the buildings there are identical to these, but in good condition.

[@Urbandoned]

That's very interesting and a place I wouldn't mind visiting one day. Thanks for your comment

[@danharrodian]

Hemswell Cliff was the location used for the interiors for the film the 'Dambusters'. The wide exteriors were filmed at RAF Scampton. The Old Officers Mess at Hemswell is now/was a function suite but the interiors are still recognisable in the film - lounge and dining areas. There is an old on-location photo of the film being shot on the steps of the mess. The RAF messes and layouts are similar around the country. I may have some interior video of it somewhere...

[@liamkatt6434]

Always amazes me how soon a building deteriorates once you remove heat and maintenance. I remember going to look at a building that I worked in as a nurse for many years. I heard it had closed, After just eighteen months it was unrecognizable with blocked gutters and Buddlei growing out of brickwork and peeling paint inside.

[@thisperson5294]

As a student in Norwich in the 1980s I stayed in halls that were once the USAAF air force base barracks at Horsham St Faith. After the university stopped sending students there, it lay empty and derelict for years. Sadly demolished now.

[@jean-lucpicard5510]

Very well narrated, and you don't paste annoying music all over the video, and the music you do put on is very well chosen, as well as explaining the history of the place. In short a quality production.

[@memyselfandiiscool]

I explored this place not long ago and its amazing and stunning great video guys!!!!

[@sonja7975]

Thanks for that amazing video, I really enjoyed watching it!!! Even empty you can "feel" a "storytelling" atmosphere! Please do more of them abandoned military places! 🙂

[@belindamoles9192]

Yes I love seeing post war places, especially abandoned bunkers x

[@Urbandoned]

Thank you for the feedback

[@dutchmartin1837]

This is great video. Very clear and good steady shots. The site is still being maintained so its surprising you were not observed. Best of all its nice to see that the Chavs and Pikies have not stolen all the fixtures and pipework or vandalised the place. On a side note its always slightly amusing how urban explorers who never served in the RAF describe the camps function, the buildings (and their use), the aircraft and how we lived day to day. Thank you for posting it.

[@lizzieburton5276]

Love this what beautiful grounds & i really enjoyed this type of video guys. I love looking into the history about old military abandoned places, so would love to see more. Thanks again for sharing another awesome video :)

[@Urbandoned]

I'm happy that you enjoyed this week's work. We will totally look into bringing more war related abandonments onto our channel :)

[@robfellows4096]

Loved the Deco staircase too! One of my old school buildings had staircases like that - also at a local swimming pool & a branch of Woolworths! Some bits like the Bar and the Sports Hall look like they might have had a refurb in the '80s. Awesome drone shots & seeing the huge East Anglian sky and flat landscape from the top of the tower ended it well. The climbing shots were cool and really bring you back into the explore. Also my Dad was in the RAF so very interesting to me. Cheers!

[@Urbandoned]

Glad you liked the video with your Dad's background!

[@kpurban1310]

Nice one, the drone shots highlight that typical RAF building style with the "H" shaped blocks and vast distances between one another. Also that piano in the Officer's Mess has been in more positions than I can count. That area with the drop down ceiling I think is called a nissen hut, cheaply built and used for office space or dormitories.

[@Urbandoned]

Thanks mate, glad you liked the drone shots.

[@KeithHambidge]

Great video guys loved the opening drone footage showed how vast the site was. Some amazing decay . Architectural more functional than over styled in my opinion but fanatic site

[@Urbandoned]

Thank you very much! The architecture is quite typical for 1940s war buildings but not too special compared to other structures we have seen.

[@elizabethabbott9177]

Ahh, some lovely memories have awoken in me!

[@maxwellfan55]

Brilliant job and fantastic location. Yes, much more abandoned bases like these before they become lost altogether. Thanks. I share your observations reference the architecture, each brick building solidly constructed, thoughtfully planned and intelligently designed. Interiors offering lots of natural light, functional yet in perfect proportion. The 1930's window frame configurations especially put ugly modern plastic designs with bulky transoms and misplaced glazing bars into shame.

[@Urbandoned]

Thank you for the kind words! The 1940s window frames are very neat..

[@Gavstafunk]

I was stationed there for the first four years of my service.1976 to 1980

[@geoffsmith7596]

Just stumbled across your channel and I find this kinda thing just fascinating. I love military history and can't help feeling that places like these should be made in to museums to remember all those that served from them. Just to stand in some of those rooms and imagine what went on there before and who was the last person to play that piano etc. Have just subscribed and would relish seeing more military exploration's like this. Thank you for the time to compile this and share.

[@rooman66]

Perfecto - thanks for a great post :)

[@janicecopeland9083]

Love when nature begins to reclaim these buildings.

[@JayJay75315]

My dad served on this base twice, Late 60's and late 90's. I'm assuming you havent named it for a reason so i wont either but thanks for the video and look forward to more! There is something about ex RAF bases that just grabs the attention 👍

[@nickhart8961]

Collins ovens. Brilliant piece of kit. Used then in many JRMs when I served.

[@robfellows4096]

Post war abandonments: I think a lot of people like the variety and contrast in explores so once in a while I'd go for Vehicle & Machinery Graveyards which can show industrial history from a different perspective, often outside of buildings rather than inside. Visually different as well with overgrown rusting metal rather than peeling paint and mouldy walls.

[@Urbandoned]

Appreciate the feedback, thanks! We will look into finding the sort of places you describe

[@PyrateAsylumParanormalAgency]

Nice work as always.

[@Urbandoned]

Appreciate it man

[@MrChriswo29]

Yes do post war abandonments, they tell an interesting story, of life after world war 1 and 2, graveyards would be interesting too.

[@Urbandoned]

Thank you, we will get to some more soon enough.

[@michailokeefeMooMoo]

Amazing views great camera work

[@robertgarrett4046]

I would ask of you to visit as many of these RAF Airfields / Bases as you can , I MYSELF visit old WW2 AIRFIELDS WHERE I LIVE IN BEDFORDSHIRE ,AND I TAKE PLENTY OF PHOTOS AS A MEMORY / RECORD .Keep up the good work with these videos .Rob.

[@johnk2668]

Nice to see something local guys, lovely views from drone etc. I am from Norwich

[@Urbandoned]

It's a side of the country we struggle to get to because of the length of journey but in the future we have more plans over there!

[@lakegirl8925]

My grandma was from Davenham and I still have family there. She was a WAAF stationed at Sealand much of the time.

[@MattDavey68]

Nice one. It's a shame you couldn't get into the more military areas, like hangers and equipment stores or the tower. Deffo do more of these!

[@johorrocks8927]

The drone footage was very good, although the buildings are empty the grounds are in great condition... Really love the natural decay it's fantastic...the nature growing inside is great too and very photogenic. This base must of been a hive of activity, felt a bit eerie wandering around the place...I have said this before I am open minded about the contents of the fi!m, it really is about getting my interest in the first place.

[@Urbandoned]

Glad you enjoyed the drone - it's some of the best we have gotten so far since purchasing one. I think a lot of people are very interested in the war which is why I think some would want more post-war abandonments than we have showcased so far

[@ronmayescecil]

I was in the RAF at Hullavington in the early 1950s working on Wellingtons and Varsities

[@donallen1384]

I was at RAF Hullavinton 1968 till 1971(Supplier 2)

[@ronmayescecil]

@@donallen1384 have not heard of anyone from my era at Hullavington but of course I am in my late 80s so not many of us left

[@TheExplorerReturns]

Really nice video.

[@Urbandoned]

Thanks mate :)

[@chrisdoney8578]

Really enjoyed this one. Liked the piano tinkling and the ascent of the tower at the end. What drone do you Use? I use a DJI mavic pro2 and really pleased with it. Looking forward to future explores and trying hard not to exhaust the back catalogue too quickly! Keep up the good work lads 👊

[@Urbandoned]

Thanks mate - it's the Mavic Mini, so we'd love yours in the future! Unlikely that the backlog will be lost so soon, there's months of videos gathering cobwebs in there...

[@Andy-From-England]

I used to do security at the raf church Fenton when it came LEA

[@Urbandoned]

A similar site!

[@anthonyroberts240]

Yes I feel so many story’s of old bases are yet to be told.

[@Urbandoned]

Definitely, and there are so many bases left vacant - more to close in the next few years too

[@andrewjames3908]

definately like to see more like this please

[@Urbandoned]

Thanks for the feedback - will look into visiting more soon :)

[@michaelpell2334]

Really enjoyed this video as well as some others I've watched of yours, it's a pity you couldn't go in hangers etc. Is the runway still visible?? Thanks for a great find. Will definitely be watching more of yours.

[@TeamUrbexDiscovery]

Good Job 👍🏻

[@Urbandoned]

Nice one :)

[@ExploreTheUnknown]

Damn that piano needs a tune up 🤣 awesome shots of this place!!

[@Urbandoned]

Thanks buddy!

[@rowdoc]

That piano is actually worth a reasonable amount of money..

[@sixtiesfan11]

@@rowdoc Ritmuller, would have been one of the better pianos in its day.

[@benlambley6423]

Ive been round this site they kept bloodhound missiles here The cotrol tower has been restored as aprivate residence one of 3 or 4 in the uk i think.

[@fatty3383]

Amazing after a few years of human absence how nature says right I'm taking this back...and to think once this was a very active military base .

[@alanfaulkner6329]

Amazing place. Shame to see these historical and important areas decaying and disappearing.

[@bigdave12345567890]

been there a few time :) its nice to see natural decay instead of what vandals have left , still with 15y old + toilet roll on the hanger !

[@Urbandoned]

It's a great place! Natural decay is definitely preferred for us, too.

[@thomaslake2946]

Were is it in east angle and what's the bass called

[@bigdave12345567890]

@@thomaslake2946 its raf west raynam ,,, and the gigantic wreck of mod sculthorpe is about 10 mins away also

[@gemmageal4518]

My grandad worked here as a cleaner in the early 90s before it closed. We lived about 6 miles from it

[@paulhowell5011]

Nice part of the world. Been there once before

[@Urbandoned]

Felt like France to us!

[@steveguest2003]

Looks like RAF Swinderby in Lincolnshire where I did my initial basic training!

[@mruppity64]

not Swinderby - its completely flattened now - these Stations are more or less the equivalent of todays supermarkets - the same design everywhere

[@kierans1159]

@@mruppity64 Wattisham??

[@colinmiller5502]

The Army moved into Wattisham and they're still there today,so it won't be as run down as this,I was Wtm,70 - 74,MT.

[@GManWrites]

I was there in 1969 on annual camp with the ATC .

[@johnbennett226]

Cool x

[@Urbandoned]

Thanks!

[@angelsone-five7912]

Yes please, RAF bases are my thing.

[@thomaswykes3647]

Reminds me of Fort Blockhouse (HMS Dolphin) It looked like this while we were living in it

[@carolynhollingworth5905]

Great explore it seems more decayed the more I see it.Its a shame you didnt go in te Naafi.Would have liked to gave seen in there.

[@Urbandoned]

That's usually the way it goes! Still a lot less decay than expected considering how long some of the structures have been inactive

[@BaronFlyingClub]

Subscribed

[@ollie5399]

Peaceful viewing.

[@Urbandoned]

Thanks mate

[@Ashs-mini-vlogs]

RAF west raynham great place

[@AFV85]

I love old war buildings just have to be very careful with the asbestos and lead paint used in them! Glass pannal room could have been a breafing room or Dowding could have sat in there at one time!

[@WillScott73]

As someone who's been to a fair few Officer's Mess I've never really got excited about the architecture. Except maybe at Cranwell

[@JohnSmith-ei2pz]

What doing jankers? Cleaning the Ruperts pans?

[@SuperAMJS]

First posting, did three years here. Good old WRN....

[@donallen1384]

In the Uk, they are known as RAF Startions, I know because I am a Royal Air Force Veteran, I apologise for correcting you.😀

[@norfolkworkshop3609]

A lot of these buildings were bought by a filming company who plan to use them for various reasons, Thankyou for not giving the location away!

[@bigballox6454]

Says a fellow norfolk man who clearly knows where it is. 😏

[@normannokes9513]

When young men had to control their fears and follow the chosen path.

[@elainaworsley470]

I like War Time videos.

[@desertpoj]

The base is where the RAF lost the most jet aircraft in one day. The large rooms in the the Officer’s Mess are called ante-rooms. I’ve landed a jet there! 😉 That gives my age away!

[@abandonedexploringmike]

Cool location an Sunday my raf base video will premiere

[@Urbandoned]

Thanks matey

[@abandonedexploringmike]

@@Urbandoned have you checked out my latest video

[@rowanjohnson6453]

I've seen this place so many times at my cadet training camp just next door

[@Urbandoned]

Hope you liked seeing some internal images

[@rowanjohnson6453]

This video was ace because it shows the true detail of what's actaully there and it not just being abandoned, derelict buildings

[@thomaslake2946]

@@rowanjohnson6453 were is this air bass in east angle and what is it called

[@joelg34]

8:45 That's a pentagram in the centre circle of the gym floor!

[@mikeymodfather1969]

I know the RAF Station, in your video, as I served there from 1988 to 1991....

[@SuperAMJS]

So did I, in MT...

[@pixusphotographic]

More bases and post war please

[@Urbandoned]

Will do!

[@alessandrobanovich6847]

Great video! How is this base called?

[@petewarby7158]

Can you, or anyone, tell me which station this is/was?

[@Buck9672]

I'm an RAF veteran, never been to this place but is it West Raynham? Bloodhound missiles makes me think it is. Nevertheless, I love your vids guys...keep up the good work :-)

[@desbrittain9952]

Bingo!

[@Buck9672]

@@desbrittain9952 I was at Marham and we had some 'Rock's' living in quarters there & Sculthorpe.

[@calum9250]

I'd love to visit this place any clues would be appreciated. I spent many years growing up in Officers Messes as my dad was an officer, some good memories

[@Urbandoned]

We don't share some locations to preserve them, such as this one. Glad to bring back some of your memories with our video :)

[@mjpm2409]

It's West Raynham, Norfolk. Publicly available information.

[@finnhodby9791]

Is this at west-raynam?

[@justplanenuts5541]

What's the name of this place?. Would love to go and have a look.

[@lewisner]

I looked up Ritmuller pianos (4.13) and a one in nice condition is online at £3800.

[@donallen1384]

Do you know which RAF Station this was.

[@lufc5605]

is it staxton wold east yorkshire near scarboro

[@jameslenglishmango2920]

Went there today as my dad served there. Literally just wanted to take pics but the "security guard" was a massive knob and was very rude to me. Super miffed but i guess ill try again at some point

[@stevemills9982]

Which base was this please?

[@danielwalker2613]

All that flaking on the walls and ceilings is due to the copious amounts of whitewash that was used, rather than paint - as the RAF had gallons of the stuff, and probably applied on a regular basis - maybe a subtle form of punishment, or times of non-activity and quiet periods, which there must have been plenty ? .... A great look at a pretty much complete complex, as there can't be many left like this ... What is the name of this base situated somewhere in Eastern England ? ...Thank you for posting.

[@andrewfranklin7773]

Which base was this?

[@glynwilliams9755]

I served in the RAF the 2000 to 2004.

[@thomaslake2946]

What are bass near east angle

[@Richard-pe4cx]

those Nissan type huts should be preserved someone is still under contract to cut the grass

[@Urbandoned]

Agreed!

[@cal-efc8062]

Ww2 abandoned things sre cool

[@nickc9182]

Ah raf west rayham... Very nice but one of the successful council conversions to a buiness park...

[@WillVenusASMR]

3:20 could the collection of twigs be from an animal building a nest? I can’t think of any other reason. 👍🏻

[@simonba9944]

Just to add to my last comment I would like to say that you should really just explore the places that you enjoy the most. 👍🏻

[@Urbandoned]

Thank you! We will mainly :)

[@lynlove3245]

I feel this is RAF Swinderby outside York, the bar in the officers mess is throwing up all sorts of memories 👌😉

[@mruppity64]

Swinderby was in Lincolnshire, and is now flattened sadly - do you mean Linton-on-Ouse?

[@liamwood8827]

Raf west raynham this one pal 😀

[@JohnSmith-ei2pz]

That was a rocks station?@@liamwood8827

[@siouxfan1716]

Could you visit RAF Chicksands?