Brighton City Airport, airport located to the west of Shoreham-by-Sea, in West Sussex, England
Brighton City Airport, also known as Shoreham Airport, is located in Lancing, a small town in West Sussex near the coast, and stands as the oldest still-operating airport in the United Kingdom. The facility features a paved runway, functional hangars, a Grade II* listed Art Deco terminal building from 1936, and continues to serve small aircraft, flying schools, and aircraft maintenance operations.
The airport was established in 1911, making it the oldest still-operating airport in the United Kingdom, with the first flight recorded in 1910. It served military operations during both World Wars, and experienced significant changes including the addition of the Art Deco terminal in 1936 and the installation of a paved runway in the early 1980s.
The airport holds meaning for the local community as a connection to the region's aviation heritage and achievements in transport. Visitors can see how early aviation shaped the area and continues to be part of daily life through the preserved buildings and ongoing flight activities.
The airport is easily accessible by train, with Shoreham-by-Sea railway station located about 1 mile away, and visitors can relax at the on-site restaurant while watching planes. Plan to visit during daytime hours when most flight activity occurs, and allow time to walk the grounds and view the historic buildings at your own pace.
The airport is frequently used as a filming location for television and movies because its Art Deco building and historic setting provide an authentic backdrop for scenes depicting aviation's past. Additionally, the facility offers scenic flights and flying experiences on vintage aircraft like the World War II Tiger Moth, allowing visitors to experience aviation as it was in earlier decades.
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