Fly a Spitfire at Goodwood Aerodrome
Take to the skies from Goodwood Aerodrome, the historic RAF Westhampnett, and soar over the breathtaking South Downs and the English Channel.
What you’ll experience on your Spitfire flight
Goodwood Aerodrome offers a truly authentic experience, allowing you to fly from an original Battle of Britain airfield steeped in rich aviation heritage.
As you take to the skies, you’ll soar over historic wartime landscapes, including the South Coast and the English Channel – routes once patrolled by Spitfire pilots during World War II. Goodwood is also home to the last all-grass Battle of Britain runway on the South Coast, adding to the authenticity of your flight experience.
Conveniently located near Chichester, Portsmouth, and within easy reach of London, Goodwood is the perfect setting for an unforgettable aviation adventure. Every flight is expertly piloted in a genuine World War II Spitfire, offering an unmatched opportunity to relive history in the skies.
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The history and heritage of Goodwood
Goodwood Aerodrome airfield was created on Goodwood Estate land, which was donated by Freddie March – the 9th Duke of Richmond and renowned amateur racer and aircraft engineer – to assist the war effort. As RAF Westhampnett, it was active from July 1940 to May 1946 as a Battle of Britain station. Later, it became home to over 46 squadrons operating Hawker Hurricanes, Hawker Typhoons and many marks of Supermarine Spitfires.
Most Squadrons who flew at Goodwood operated the Spitfire, including the British, Polish, New Zealand, Canadian, American, Free French and Belgian Squadrons. The charismatic Douglas Bader flew his last wartime flight from Westhampnett, during which he had to abandon his stricken Spitfire over Northern France. Today a full-size bronze statue stands as a tribute to Bader at Goodwood.
It was also from RAF Westhampnett that the first operational sorties by the Fighter Groups of the US 8th Air Force flew in combat with the allies. One of the first was the infamous Dieppe raid, where Allied forces found themselves heavily outmatched by German cliffside defenses.
Many WWII pilots felt that Westhampnett was home from home. Indeed, many waxed lyrical about the beautiful local countryside from the South Downs to Chichester harbour, which helped them relax after sorties.
Flying a Spitfire from Goodwood Aerodrome takes you straight into the skies that were under threat from daily Luftwaffe raids during the battle of Britain. It was the scene of furious combat between Spitfires, Hurricanes and Me 109s, with Spitfires chasing Ju87 Stuka dive bombers out across the coast, after attacks on the nearby RAF Tangmere.
If you want Battle of Britain skies and scenery, then fly a Spitfire from Goodwood’s grass Battle of Britain airfield and soar back to 1940!
Other things to do near Goodwood
Driving out to pubs at Bosham Harbour or heading into historic Chichester for entertainment, Goodwood is much the same today. It’s well placed for access to great scenery, horse racing, motor racing, sailing, theatre or just soaking up the historic landmarks.
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Book your Spitfire flight at Goodwood
Make your Spitfire flight more than a dream. Book now and take the first step towards the experience of a lifetime.