![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/abandoned-airport-was-one-of-the-uks-first-to-attract-fascinated-plane-spotters/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/0_RIP-Inside-abandoned-UK-airport-which-was-once-a-magnet-for-thousands-of-plane-fans.jpg&description=Haldon Aerodrome in Devon was one of the first of its kind in the country luring throngs of plane spotters and was even visited by royalty - now all that exists is a flat piece of land and a small plaque What was once one of the country's first ever airstrips may no longer exist - but insight has been lifted on its fascinating history. Haldon Aerodrome was once a thriving spot for pilots before the Second World War and has been visited by royalty and Prime Ministers in the past. The Devon airfield first opened in the 1920s - but sadly its success was short-lived. Thousands of people would flock to the site near Teignmouth to see planes take to the skies at what was then Devon's first ever airfield. But the end of the war and plans to build nearby Exeter Airport spelled the end for the Aerodrome. Used by the Royal Navy during the war, the aerodrome's altitude meant its heyday was not meant to be, Devon Live writes. Today, little remains, except for a suspiciously-flat piece of land next to a golf club as well as a toposcope plaque set up by the Teignmouth Museum and Historical Society in 1998. The airfield was the brainchild of William Richard "Bill" Parkhouse, an ex-Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) pilot, who having established his own motor company, had aspirations of dealing popular De Havilland aircraft. He rented the 80 acres in 1928, ignoring the rough ground and high altitude which made it a less than ideal location for an airport. Instead the land was rolled as flat as possible by a concrete roller pulled by an ancient tractor. The first plane to use the strip took flight on May 6, 1928, flown by Mr Parkhouse himself. But with the airfield literally just being a field – and having no hangar – he then had to fold the wings of the aircraft and tow it into his car showroom in Teignmouth. A small hangar was then built - big enough only for two light aircraft - and a landing circle was marked out. The name "Haldon" in 16 feet (4.9 m) high letters was marked out, and){kind=link}
Haldon Aerodrome in Devon was one of the first of its kind in the country luring throngs of plane spotters and was even visited by royalty – now all that exists is a flat piece of land and a small plaque
What was once one of the country’s first ever airstrips may no longer exist – but insight has been lifted on its fascinating history.
Haldon Aerodrome was once a thriving spot for pilots before the Second World War and has been visited by royalty and Prime Ministers in the past. The Devon airfield first opened in the 1920s – but sadly its success was short-lived.
Thousands of people would flock to the site near Teignmouth to see planes take to the skies at what was then Devon’s first ever airfield. But the end of the war and plans to build nearby Exeter Airport spelled the end for the Aerodrome.
Used by the Royal Navy during the war, the aerodrome’s altitude meant its heyday was not meant to be, Devon Live writes. Today, little remains, except for a suspiciously-flat piece of land next to a golf club as well as a toposcope plaque set up by the Teignmouth Museum and Historical Society in 1998.