RAF Downham Market / Bexwell Aerodrome

The closure was a direct result of the end of World War II and the subsequent large-scale demobilization and reduction of the Royal Air Force, particularly Bomber Command. With the war over, the need for a vast network of heavy bomber stations was eliminated, and RAF Downham Market was deemed surplus to requirements.

The site is now primarily used for industrial and agricultural purposes. A large portion of the former airfield is occupied by the Bexwell Business Park, which utilizes some of the original concrete hardstands and taxiways as its infrastructure. The main runways have been largely removed or broken up, though their outlines are still clearly visible from the air and some sections are used as farm tracks. Many of the original buildings, including the hangars and control tower, have been demolished over the years. The site is a typical example of a repurposed WWII airfield, with its military past being slowly reclaimed by civilian enterprise and nature.

RAF Downham Market, also known as Bexwell Aerodrome, was a significant heavy bomber station during World War II. Constructed between 1941 and 1942, it was built to the Class A airfield standard, featuring three concrete runways. It was assigned to No. 3 Group of RAF Bomber Command. The primary unit based at the airfield for most of the war was No. 218 (Gold Coast) Squadron. They initially operated the Short Stirling heavy bomber before converting to the Avro Lancaster in August 1944. The station and its squadrons played a crucial role in the strategic bombing campaign against Germany, participating in numerous raids on industrial targets, cities, and V-weapon sites. Towards the end of its operational life, it also hosted Pathfinder Force units, including No. 608 Squadron, which flew de Havilland Mosquitos on target-marking duties. The airfield had a high rate of attrition, with over 130 aircraft and their crews lost on operations, making it one of the many airfields in the region with a somber and heroic legacy.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening RAF Downham Market as an active airfield. The extensive redevelopment for industrial and agricultural use, including the removal of significant portions of the runways and the construction of new buildings, makes any potential reactivation for aviation purposes logistically and financially unfeasible. The site will continue in its current role as a business park and farmland.