Fly a Spitfire at Hawarden Airport
Lift off from Hawarden Airport in a legendary Supermarine Spitfire and soar over the iconic landscapes of North Wales in history’s most celebrated aircraft.
What you’ll experience on your Spitfire flight
Hawarden offers an exceptional Spitfire flight experience, taking off from an airfield steeped in rich World War II aviation heritage. This historic site adds depth to your journey, having played a key role in the war effort and continuing to serve as a Spitfire maintenance and engineering hub today.
From the cockpit, you’ll enjoy spectacular views over North Wales, including the majestic peaks of Snowdonia and the dramatic Welsh coastline. Each flight offers a choice of unique routes, giving you the chance to see iconic historic landmarks from a truly unforgettable perspective.
With convenient access from Chester, Liverpool and Manchester, Hawarden is ideally located for visitors across the North West and beyond. Combined with its historical significance and stunning scenery, it’s the perfect setting for your once-in-a-lifetime Spitfire adventure.
Spitfire Flight Reviews
Read the honest reactions of those who chose to fly a Spitfire and felt the thrill for themselves.
The history and heritage of Hawarden
Hawarden airfield was developed as part of a government program to build shadow factories for aircraft production in the event of war. A factory was constructed in 1937, with an adjacent field acquired for test flying. Between 1939 and 1945, a total of 5,540 Vickers Wellington bombers were manufactured here.
The site officially became RAF Hawarden in 1940 with the arrival of No. 48 Maintenance Unit. The MU prepared Vickers Wellingtons, Westland Lysanders, Blackburn Bothas, and Handley Page Hampdens and Herefords for operational use. Other units that flew from Hawarden included the Air Transport Auxiliary, No. 3 Ferry Pilots Pool and a succession of Operational Training Units preparing aircrew for operational duties.
Most importantly, the airfield became home to Supermarine Spitfires in June 1940 with the arrival of No. 7 OTU. The unit also operated the Miles Master and Hawker Hurricane.
After WWII, aircraft construction resumed in 1948 when the aircraft designer Sir Geoffrey de Havilland took over the factory. Under reorganisation of the British aircraft industry, it became part of the Hawker-Siddeley Group, and later British Aerospace.
RAF Hawarden officially closed on 31 March 1959. Today, the airfield is owned and operated by Airbus UK, and is primarily used to transport the wings built for the Airbus fleet in the surrounding factory buildings.
Spitfires.com operates from the Aviation Park Group FBO, the private jet terminal, on the north eastern side of the airport.
Other things to do near Hawarden
From medieval fortifications and wartime aircraft manufacturing to breathtaking nature walks and modern treasures, Hawarden offers a compelling mix of history, culture and rural scenery.
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Legends aren’t just meant to be read about. They’re meant to be experienced.