Abandoned London airport that was once the world’s biggest – and it still opens once a month for behind-the-scenes tours
AN airport in the UK was once the biggest in the world – but was forced to scrap flights more than 60 years ago.
The good news is you can visit it once a month – if you’re lucky.
Croydon Airport first opened in 1920, after combining Beddington and Waddon aerodromes and becoming RAF Station Croydon.
It then grew over the next decade, which included the first purpose-designed airport terminal and air traffic control tower.
It was even home to the world’s first airport hotel, the Aerodrome Hotel, with the development costing around £267k – around £20million in today’s money.
The expansion not only meant it was the biggest in the world at the time, but it became the first major international airport in the UK.
This included flights to Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam and Rotterdam, as well as flights across India, the Middle East, Africa and East Asia.
It was also where the Mayday distress call was developed.
Famous flyers who used the airport included Winston Churchill, who took flying lessons, as well as Amy Johnson who took the record-breaking flight to Australia in 1930.
However, the airport was forced to close to the public in 1939 following the outbreak of WWII, but was once again used by fighter pilot aircraft.
Due to it’s importance in the war, it was targeted and in 1940, was attacked in one of London’s first raids, destroying a number of the buildings.
After reopening to the public after the war, the expansion of south London resulted in other airports being built.
It lost it’s title as the UK’s main airport in 1946, which moved to London Heathrow.
The airport then closed in 1958 after London Gatwick was redeveloped.
Despite being closed, you can still visit parts of the airport including the control tower and arrivals hall.
Now a museum, it opens once a month to the public for free, with a voluntary donation of £8.
Although the airfields have long since been built on, the control tower and the arrivals hall still exist, now called the Croydon Airport Visitor Centre.
You have to be quick though as tickets often sell out.
The next opening date is July 7, with tickets going on sale this weekend (June 23).
Tours take around 45 minutes and there is also a gift shop and cafe.
You can also stay at the nearby London Croydon Aerodrome Hotel, with rooms from just £44.
It’s not the only abandoned airport in the UK.
Manston Airport in Kent was forced to close back in 2014.
However, new plans are hoping to relaunch flights at the airport, starting with cargo transport but eventually extending to passengers flights across Europe.
With hopes for budget airlines such as Ryanair, airport owners have warned this won’t be until 2028 at the earliest.
Doncaster Sheffield Airport closed back in 2022, although is also hoping to reopen.
What do tourists say about the Croydon Airport Visitor Centre
PREVIOUS visitors have raved about the museum, saying:
“One of London’s wonderful museums off the beaten track.”
“Intriguing and Interesting historical gem.”
“A real gem, hidden among the drab, monotonous and dull industrial estates of Croydon.”
Once home to TUI and Wizz Air flights, the former has expressed interest at relaunching flights if it reopens.
And Plymouth Airport has said it would like to reopen after 13 years -although has met opposition in recent years.