Aerodrome Review: Bolt Head, Devon

A review of Bolt Head Aerodrome near Salcombe in South Devon. A stunning cliff-top 600m grass strip surrounded by picturesque coves and beaches.
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[@timesquare5473]

Have landed here on 3 occasions; pipistrel, C42 and Jabiru ul450. If you are used to farm type strips then its really not a major problem but as noted by other comments be mindful of wind vortices if blowey. The hut has now been upgraded and is more akin to a modern Tardis. At the time of last landing June '24 the landing fee was £20; well worth it for such great access to Salcombe. After walking through said gate it's a straight forward walk across a public footpath field then meandering through a wood and on to a roadway; quite a steep incline towards the end through hilltop properties to be greeted by a stunning view of Salcombe North Sands with lots of eating facilities. Last visit in June it was sunny and warm and we managed to secure a roof top view with local fish, chips and trimmings for around £17. The place was milling with people. We took the local ferry which goes every 30 mins (8:30 am till 6:30 pm and £2:50 each way) to Salcombe main further round the cove; well worth it ! Idyllic place for a day out. On a previous visit we had a 6 litre plastic container and went in search of petrol. There is only one local garage which is at the top of a steep hill some 800 metres from Salcombe beach; bit of a slog but we managed it. At the end of the day remember where the footpath begins else you will get in a bit of a stress and allow a good half hour for the return as it's uphill all the way. Fantastic day out; def worth it; makes the landing fee seem somewhat insignificant.

[@AussieAndyHardy]

We had a cracking holiday camping in the facility nearby - we carried our camping gear on a trolley that fits in the Cherokee, and had our German Shepherd with us. Pure bliss!

[@salcombebunker1800]

Excellent report on a fabulous aerodrome on a stunning cliff top location. Many thanks Jon.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thank you for having me!

[@MacVision3D]

I love how you have no problem asking them difficult questions well done and keep up the good work and thank you .

[@bastystruth]

Thanks for putting this together! This looks like one I’d like to go to, I wouldn’t otherwise have thought of it.

[@antonioiozzi291]

I know this airstrip because ..... there is a wonderful version for the MSFS simulator! Loks like the real one, even the sourraidings have been made 🤣🤣🤣. I am a retired 65 years old glider pilot (in real life) from Switzerland and now I enyoy flying virtually on your island. Thanks, really good made video. 👍👍👍👍👍

[@paulmark63]

Hi John Paul from Orpington fabulous video stunning place love the bath in your room Lovely scenery all the best Paul 😊

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks Paul

[@TheLincolnshireFlyer]

Great video Jon. Many thanks.

[@jamesb777driver]

Great review Jon! Lots of information about a wonderful area of the UK

[@kenengland7632]

Great review Jon. We visited in our PA28 last summer having visited Bodmin Airfield first. A beautiful airstrip and very well maintained. East Soar farm 10 minutes walk down the footpath to the South East of the airfield serves cakes and coffee in the walker’s hut.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

It’s a lovely spot isn’t it. The walkers hut is indeed 10/15 mins walk.

[@aureliomarsili3902]

Absolutely amazing episode!!! Beautiful place, including extravagance (never seen such a small office and such a narrow street) ... high-impact shots from above, beautiful, with all that greenery !!! And congratulations on the image quality, really top ... Thank you !!! Ciao from Italy (Near LIPY (Falconara) airport)

[@dziip]

Great video, another in a fantastic series 👍

[@stephenbuckle6180]

Car chaos in Summer, e-cycle territory. One might expect testing up/down draughts around the cliffs. I only discovered recently just how amazing Devon is.

[@theflyingadventures]

Thanks for including such interesting history of this place. Bolt Head is on my list to visit so please do not limit the PPRs, after this and similar videos you will be getting even more popular 😅

[@pete1kirk]

Hi John, great video. I fly into Bolt Head quite regularly. Pilots just need to be aware that turbulence and wind shear are quite common on both approaches hence the need for previous experience of farm strips! Shame you could not visit East Soar Farm which only opens in the summer. They have a range of snacks including cream teas, cakes, teas and coffee etc.

[@philcrosby8931]

As usual, most enjoyable vid, and the little history lesson was great. Gosh, the local B&B's are bit exxy! John, bit disconcerted by what looked like TWO greens on approach. Must be my monitor's brightness setting! Phil

[@tomwickstead1]

Really enjoy these reviews

[@kevchilton908]

Another excellent video Jon. I love the look of Bolt Head and aim to visit and camp overnight this coming summer. You’ve just whetted my appetite even more! A great series 👌👏👏👏

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Fab Kev, thanks.

[@chopperguy435]

Great Video Jon. We flew down to bolt head early last year in our Hughes 500 Helicopter, Great little airfield PPR was easy, love the little shed, great walks. I think this one is best kept to ourselves

[@TheFlyingReporter]

That's the thing isn't it? Hidden gems, are no longer hidden gems when we share them. But, this is a place to enjoy and so happy to let people know its there.

[@WrightCycloneR1820]

Great vid, enjoyed that! Worth pointing out that the RAF history of Bolt Head goes back to 1943, so there was lots of wartime use, especially around the time of D-Day. A "temporary" airfield that's lasted 80 years so far...

[@CharlieLamdin]

Been in several times, magical place, in my native Devon. Wonderful video. I know of a couple of crop related incidents there, it looks easy but should be treated with more care than people may perhaps realise! South Sands hotel a very special place to me too. Thanks Jon! Thoroughly enjoyed that.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Lovely place to visit. Bring your second wallet for salcombe!

[@tonycutty598]

My favourite landaway site. Fly to Bolt Head in all that stunning scenery, park up, pay up, and go for a stunning clifftop walk. Then back to the airfield, hop in and fly home. This is PPL flying at its best.

[@oliverbatt3559]

Salcombe, the Kingsbridge Estuary and South Hams in general is probably my favourite place in all of Britain.

[@Thinkflite]

I would love to see a video on your choice of owning an arguably less capable CofA type instead of a Permit aircraft... They are generally more capable and less expensive to operate so you kust have a reason 🙂 Think people would benefit from hearing a CofA owner/Pilots perspective

[@Eileens_dog]

Great review. Planes and hotels: Raymond Baxter meets Judith Chalmers 👍 😅

[@TheFlyingReporter]

I shall get out my fake tan now.

[@theflyingfool]

It's interesting to see the placement of your SkyEcho2 Jon, which seems contrary to advice in the manual. Perhaps a better spot would be above the GoPro?

[@SimonNeedham]

Can’t believe Jon didn’t grab the chance for an early morning swim in the sea 😆

[@smsfrancis]

Something for me in a couple years once I'm 100 hrs P1 😂 They're missing a trick on not turning that into a Cold War museum

[@Avgeek1564]

So I'm curious as to what the arrivals lounge is that's mentioned @ 11:58?

[@TheFlyingReporter]

I think it was his way of describing the bijou hut! Unless there was a plush lounge I missed?!

[@Avgeek1564]

@@TheFlyingReporter He mentioned that it had WiFi?

[@pplphil9979]

I visited last year. Certainly a testing place to land.

[@barrywood5357]

🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩