Long Marston Airfield

The airfield was sold for large-scale residential and commercial redevelopment. The high land value for housing made continued aviation and motorsport operations economically unviable for the landowners, leading to the site's permanent closure to accommodate the new 'Long Marston Garden Village' project.

The site is no longer an airfield and is in the process of being completely redeveloped. It is now known as the 'Long Marston Garden Village,' a major housing development project by developers St. Modwen and CALA Homes. Construction is well underway to build thousands of new homes, along with schools, community facilities, and public green spaces. While some outlines of the original runways and perimeter tracks might be visible in aerial photography or incorporated into the new road layout, the infrastructure has been largely demolished to make way for the new village. The site is an active construction zone and is permanently closed to all aviation and public event activities.

Originally opened in 1941 as RAF Long Marston during World War II, the airfield played a crucial role as a training facility. It was primarily home to the No. 24 Operational Training Unit (OTU), which prepared bomber crews, particularly for the Vickers Wellington aircraft. The station was equipped with three concrete runways and was a vital part of the RAF's training command until it was closed for military flying in 1954. After its military service, the site transitioned to civilian use. It became a notable venue for general aviation and gliding. However, it gained significant fame as the home of the Shakespeare County Raceway, one of the UK's premier drag racing strips, which operated on one of the former runways from the 1970s until the site's closure. The airfield also became a popular venue for large-scale events, hosting major music festivals such as the Phoenix Festival, Global Gathering, and the Bulldog Bash motorcycle festival for many years.

None. There are no prospects for the airfield to reopen. The land has been permanently repurposed for the Long Marston Garden Village housing development. The extensive and ongoing construction has irrevocably altered the landscape, removing the runways and essential infrastructure required for aviation, making a return to its former use impossible.