RAF Culmhead

The airfield was closed following the end of World War II as part of the large-scale demobilization and reduction of military forces. With the cessation of hostilities, its strategic role as a front-line fighter station was no longer required by the Royal Air Force.

The former airfield site is now known as the Culmhead Business Park. It is a notable example of a well-preserved WWII airfield that has been repurposed for civilian use. Many of the original military buildings, including the control tower, several hangars (notably the T2 and Blister types), and various technical and administrative buildings, are still standing and are occupied by a variety of businesses. The main runways and perimeter tracks are largely intact, though some sections have been removed or are now used as access roads for the business park and surrounding agricultural land. The site's layout is still clearly recognizable from the air, making it a point of interest for military historians and aviation enthusiasts.

RAF Culmhead was a significant World War II fighter station. Opened in August 1941, it served as a key Sector Station within No. 10 Group of RAF Fighter Command, responsible for the air defence of South West England, including Bristol and Exeter, and protecting vital shipping lanes in the English and Bristol Channels. The airfield initially hosted several Polish squadrons (Nos. 302, 316, 317) flying Hawker Hurricanes and Supermarine Spitfires. Throughout the war, numerous other RAF squadrons were based here, operating aircraft such as Spitfires for daylight patrols and de Havilland Mosquitos for night fighter and intruder missions. The station played a crucial role in supporting the D-Day landings in 1944 by providing fighter cover over the invasion beaches. After the war, it was briefly used by Transport Command before being placed under care and maintenance and ultimately closed.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening RAF Culmhead as an operational airport. The site has been extensively redeveloped into a commercial business park, and its original infrastructure, while partially extant, is not maintained for aviation purposes. Its future is firmly established in its current commercial and light industrial use, with an emphasis on preserving its historical character.