There are a number of spotting locations at Cotswold Airport in which to spot and photograph landing and departing aircraft, some of these are non-official and some are official, we only explain how to get to the official safe locations.
A429 Layby
This location is on the south side of the airfield and is easily accessed from both the M4 Junction 17 or from Cirencester. This spot is a layby that can get quite busy especially if something interesting is landing, from this spot you can watch aircraft land and depart when on runway 26. Light aircraft will line up right in front of you.
There is a wire fence between the road and the airfield, the road is very busy so please be careful especially if crossing the road to get near to the fence, it is advised to stay within the layby. A small set of step ladders will get you above the fence line for photography.
AV8 Cafe
This location is within the airport boundary and is accessible to the public, from here you are on the north side of the airport often facing into sun which isn’t ideal for photography but great for watching aircraft movements. From here you can see the North apron, D-site apron, Alpha apron and aircraft parked on the south side of the airport. The cafe serves hot and cold food and drinks with inside and outside seating, an ideal place to sit and watch the activity on the airfield. Plenty of car parking is available as well as the B747 Negus which is located just behind the AV8 cafe.
To access the AV8 Cafe leave the A433 main road at the turning which is sign posted Cotswold Airport, drive down the road and turn right into the airfield, follow the road round and you will see the cafe in front of you past the ASI hangars.
North Apron
This location is within the airport boundary and provides great close up views of the stored Bristol Britannia XM496 as well as aircraft parked on the North apron, it is possible to photograph through the fence here or with a short ladder but dont lean the ladder against the fence and only stay for a short time. Aircraft can be parked close so a wide angle lens is often required.
Do not block the entrance to Resource Group or other businesses that operate along the road which used to be a taxiway.
To access this location leave the A433 main road at the turning which is sign posted Cotswold Airport, drive down the road and turn right into the airfield, follow the road round and turn right down the wide taxiway, you will see the Bristol Britannia in front of you.
East Apron overlooking ASI Hangars
This location is within the airport boundary, from here you can see and photograph aircraft parked outside the ASI hangars through metal gates, please only stop here for a short time to take your photos and then leave. This spot is good in the morning when the sun is behind you, in the afternoon the aircraft will be backlit and not ideal for photography.
To access this location leave the A433 main road at the turning which is sign posted Cotswold Airport, drive down the road and turn right into the airfield, follow the road round and you will see the spot in front of you before you go past the ASI hangars.