Newbury Racecourse Airstrip

The closure was a business decision driven by several factors. The primary reason was a major, multi-year redevelopment of the Newbury Racecourse facilities that began around 2012. This construction activity, combined with increasing insurance liabilities, operational costs, and stricter health and safety regulations for operating an airfield within a major public venue, made its continued use impractical and unviable.

The site remains the large, open grass infield of the active Newbury Racecourse. The land is no longer maintained, marked, or used as an airstrip. It is now utilized for various ground-based event purposes, including overflow car parking, hosting hospitality marquees, and as general open space during race meetings and other events like concerts.

Newbury Racecourse Airstrip was an unlicensed private grass landing strip located within the central infield of the race track. Its significance was not as a public airport but as a convenience for the horse racing industry. It primarily handled private light aircraft (such as Pipers and Cessnas) and helicopters. Its main function was to allow racehorse owners, trainers, jockeys, and wealthy patrons to fly directly to the venue for race days. Active from the post-WWII era, it was a classic example of a private sporting venue airstrip. The ICAO code 'GB-1151' is an unofficial identifier, likely originating from flight simulator scenery databases, as the strip was never officially licensed with a formal ICAO code.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the airstrip for fixed-wing aircraft. The significant redevelopment of the racecourse, which includes new grandstands, a hotel, and housing, has permanently altered the safety and operational feasibility of the site for landings and take-offs. The proximity of these new structures makes a revival of the airstrip highly improbable due to modern aviation safety regulations. The airstrip is considered permanently closed, although occasional ad-hoc helicopter landings may still be permitted with special arrangement.