Merryfield, Ilton, Military airfield in Ilton, United Kingdom
Merryfield is a military airfield in Ilton with three concrete runways laid out in a triangular arrangement across the Somerset countryside. The facility now serves as a Royal Navy training base restricted from public access.
Construction began in 1942 by John Laing Ltd and officially opened in 1944 as an American military base during World War II. The site became a center for wartime aviation activity in the region.
The site once held a medieval estate belonging to the Wadham family, with only rectangular moat remnants showing where the manor house stood. These traces connect visitors to the long human history of this landscape.
The site is not open to the public as it operates under strict military access restrictions. Visitors can view the perimeter road from outside or learn about it through local tourism information.
Local cycling clubs race on the perimeter road circuit while the Royal Navy Model Aircraft Association operates its primary base here. This dual use shows how the site supports activities beyond its military role.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
