• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

News and entertainment worth sharing – York and North Yorkshire

  • News
  • Things to do
  • Radio
  • Vouchers
  • Categories
    • Business
  • More
    • Comments
    • Advertise
    • Contact us
The GRand York York

Abandoned and overgrown: Photographer captures remarkable images of disused RAF base near York

Wednesday 10 February, 2016 @ 7.55 pm History YorkMix
Share via...
How the former RAF Church Fenton base looks today. Photographs: Abandoned Yorkshire Explores
How the former RAF Church Fenton base looks today. Photographs: Abandoned Yorkshire Explores

It once reverberated to the engines of Spitfires and Hurricanes. But now much of RAF Church Fenton is empty and silent.

These eerie pictures were captured by a Yorkshire photographer turned urban explorer, who has been documenting abandoned ruins across the region through his Abandoned Yorkshire Explores website.

raf-church-fenton28

Urban exploring has become increasingly popular through photographically-led blog sites. Martin (he asked us not to give his full name) has photographed sites across Europe, but most are in Yorkshire.

From a Pontefract cinema to Leeds Girls School, his pictures paint a haunting image of nature reclaiming back buildings we have left for dead.

YorkMix vouchers - save 50%
YorkMix vouchers - save 50%
YorkMix vouchers - save 50%
YorkMix Vouchers #ad

raf-church-fenton27

One of his latest expeditions was to the disused part of the former RAF Church Fenton airbase, a few miles south of York. What he found was a massively overgrown jungle hiding the old buildings, including the “highlight [which] was the huge water tower with a great view from the roof!”

The airfield was opened in April 1937, as the air force was being expanded in response to the growing threat from Hitler.

raf-church-fenton26

During the war Church Fenton was home to a night-flight training unit. Later it hosted RAF squadrons which carried out offensive sorties over Northern Europe.

In peacetime the RAF used it as a training base, and it closed in 2013. You can read more about its history on this excellent website.

Meanwhile, have a look at Martin’s pictures below and visit his blog page for more.

raf-church-fenton25

raf-church-fenton24

raf-church-fenton23

raf-church-fenton22

YorkMix vouchers - save 50%
YorkMix vouchers - save 50%
YorkMix vouchers - save 50%
YorkMix Vouchers #ad

raf-church-fenton21

raf-church-fenton20

raf-church-fenton19

raf-church-fenton18

raf-church-fenton17

raf-church-fenton16

raf-church-fenton12

raf-church-fenton10

raf-church-fenton8

YorkMix vouchers - save 50%
YorkMix vouchers - save 50%
YorkMix vouchers - save 50%
YorkMix Vouchers #ad

raf-church-fenton7

raf-church-fenton6

raf-church-fenton4

raf-church-fenton3

raf-church-fenton2

Related YorkMix stories

York photographer’s flooding picture used by NASA

21 wonderful animal pictures – by the York woman named Pet Photographer of the Year

22 evocative photographs reveal the history behind one of York’s most enduring shops

43 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Chris Coulthard
3 years ago

I used to visit Church Fenton frequently during the 1950s as a ATC Cadet and to watch the Air Displays with Meteors of 19 72 and 609 Sqns. I saw the best aerobatic display ever by a Meteor F8 of 609 Sqn RoyalAuxillery Air Force. Just fantastic days.

0
Anthony Michael Simpson
4 years ago

My father was Officers mess Steward for many years we lived in quarters in the Officers mess I still have the clock that hung in the kitchens and a few other bits .

0
Steve
5 years ago

Should be saved as a time capsule and used as a meusiem. These types of buildings are disappearing fast to developers.

0
Dave Green
5 years ago

I got demobbed from there 1 Feb 86, was dined out the Mess 18 Dec 85, only did a couple of months there as was on LTOD such a sad sight

0
laura hagmann
5 years ago

i am really interested in these photographs and the texture of the buildings its self, i ould really like to visit this place and if possible take photographs my self for my gcse art its something I’m really interested in and some of the work i produce is very similar to this, I’m not oo sure where to get details like an email, phone number or where this place is.

0
Paul C Thompson
5 years ago

I pass the airfield every week And now, nearly 80 ,was not in the war, but look across at the buildings, think of all those who lived and worked there and wish it was possible to have a look round.

0
harry e
6 years ago

Is this building still there? if so where abouts is it?

0
bouldy
6 years ago

Great if sad photos now captured for eternity. Thank you. Remember queueing in our Hillman Imp with my Dad and his workmate to get into the airshows in the late sixties. Still have a couple of the programmes. Halcyon days. Creating a Hamlet/housing or whatever far too sensible an idea. Even if accepted it would take decades to come to fruition in today’s so called hi-tech era. All that tech slows things down terribly and cost a fortune too!

0
John Macdonald MBE
6 years ago

Sad indeed. Happy memories of Church Fenton as an ATC cadet, 1731 (Isle of Lewis) Sqn. in the 1960’s. Jet Provosts doing their stuff!!

0
Eamon Green
6 years ago

As a young Pilot Officer in 1990, I met pretty young lady in that Officers’ Mess. We are still together 26 years later. Great memories!

0
Noel F Cork MBE
6 years ago

As the last station warrant officer at the station from 1983 to 1990 I was saddened to see the pictures of Church Fenton in its present condition I have very fond memories of my years there and the comradeship of the men.

0
Dave Bond
Reply to  Noel F Cork MBE
6 years ago

I remember you……………. a villa fan if memory serves me well

0
paul battersby
Reply to  Noel F Cork MBE
5 years ago

are yes noel i remember you very well

0
Ian Foster
6 years ago

What a shame! This is one of the few remaining “Expansion Stations” built before WW2. I think Church Fenton was involved in the “Baedekker Raids” (apologies if spelled wrong) where a few airfields got bombed by the Germans.
I have fond memories of the place, as an Air Cadet at camps, at the Air Shows, and latterly, during my Military Service, I flew from Fenton in JP’s with the Chief Flying instructor.
Why oh why does this place HAVE to be abandoned and derelict to the point it will have to be demolished! Surely “SOMETHING” can be saved of a little bit of Yorkshire’s history, and a little bit of pride can be maintained, even if in the form of a small museum there? We have seen what happened to Driffield and many other airfields across Britain – the developers have no interest in history, only in money 🙁 I feel very sad now 🙁

0
tim marshall
6 years ago

church fenton has now been bought by a fruit farmer & is now a civil airport, a film studio & also a race track for people that buy a Ginetta sports car

0
John Bateson
6 years ago

It was a terrible shock to see Church Fenton in such a poor state
I was the last Officers Mess Manager before it closed in 1992 Ihave such fond memories and many friends that I knew when stationed there

0
Anthony micheal Simpson
Reply to  John Bateson
4 years ago

My Father was Officers Mess Steward for many years my brothers and I were brought up in the stewards quarters spent many happy times there such a shame its gone my Da and I visited after it had been shut it was a shame to see the parquet floor in the dining room had lifted up with damp I still have the clock that hung on the wall in the kitchens and other little bits from when it shut .

0
Michelle Rooney
Reply to  Anthony micheal Simpson
3 years ago

Hi Anthony. Where were the Stewards quarters?

0
Lou
6 years ago

Lovely photos, evoke some real emotion

0
Phil Bullers
6 years ago

Many happy memories of Church Fenton with 24TNDP. Shame he didn’t get any shots of the crew rooms on the flight line. It would be nice to see if the course badges we painted on the walls had survived the passage of time.

0
Jacqueline capper
6 years ago

We used to go with my mum and dad to all the airshows when my dad was based at Linton before he came out of the raf in 76 had some fun times there’s sad ???? but happy memories

0
Margaret Popplewell
6 years ago

My Dad (Cpl Sutherland) was stationed here twice ’59-63 and ’66-69. We lived in quarters on Askham Lane & Tedder Rd in Acomb York, these also were demolished many years ago. I have fond memories of Bonfire nights, Christmas parties (with a visit to the cinema beforehand) at the camp. So sad to see it now.

0
Dion Pedder
Reply to  Margaret Popplewell
3 years ago

My name is Dion Pedder, I was born at home in Church Fenton 27,1, 1959. My dad was Corporal Michael Pedder, Mick.

0
Norman (AKA the Ferret)
6 years ago

These photos certainly bring back many memories and the Sgts mess bar , I spent many a night behind it serving the Sgts and W/Os, many happy memories such a shame the buildings are decaying, another piece of RAF history will soon be gone.

0
Gillian Hodkinson
6 years ago

Happy memories of when I worked in the officers mess there, I also met my husband there.

0
Pete
6 years ago

It’s a shame to see this go to ruin, I never served there but heard many good things. Perhaps the Government should spend some money on re-furb for our homeless vets.

0
Mark
6 years ago

What brilliant beautiful buildings just left to fall from grace . It could of been used for so many things

0
neil s
6 years ago

could put all these refugees or ex homeless service back in there tidy it up run the machine shops an motor pools use as an industrial area put people to work on it rathe rthan let waste

0
T Reynlds
6 years ago

I thought a local farmer had bought this site and was planning to reopen the airfield as a civil concern……

0
Stuart Jackson
6 years ago

Oh to be able to take it, preserve its history and bring it back to life…..

0
John Medd
6 years ago

Wow! I especially like the ones where mother nature has taken over inside, and the shot looking up the stairwell/atrium.

0
kevin pottage
6 years ago

used to live at church fenton when my father was in the raf

0
John Timms
6 years ago

Being both a long term ex RAF veteran and my earlier years brought up in York I have passed and visited Church Fenton several times. It is difficult to imagine even with the passage of time it could get into this state. Demolition seems to be the only solution.

0
mike johnston
6 years ago

Such a waste such a shame that most of the building (s) are unfit and would be demolished. It could with a bit of cash from the government, be turned into a small hamlet. You know, houses shops…..

0
Paul Lund
6 years ago

Very sad all that spit and polish will not pass AOC’s inpection now. great photos.

0
Michael Hearn
6 years ago

Back in 1969 I was the on last but one RAF Officer Induction course there and left as an APO acting Pilot Officer, going on to Basic Flying Training at Linton on Jet Provosts. Have good memories of the base, including a formal interview with Station Commander who tried to persuade me not to get married! Hard to match these excellent photos with the memories though, everything was so polished and regimented then. I went on to fly C130s, Vulcan B1/K2 serving 21 years (and still married!)

0
Gillian Bingham
6 years ago

Remember the wonderful Air Shows we used to go to in the 50s/60s. My dad worked on the runway during the war.

0
Fiona Ness
6 years ago

These photos are beautiful, yet sad. My mum and dad, and I think my aunt and uncle met here in the mid 1960’s. My grandma and mum worked in the kitchen. Lots of memories here. Thank you for sharing!

0
Karen Boardman
6 years ago

Amazing pictures. So many memories and so sad to see it like this but you have brought out the magic of a truly historical and unforgetful place in a lot of service persons lives. Thank you

0
Ian mitchell
Reply to  Karen Boardman
6 years ago

Yes, very good memories, very saddening to see these pictures though.

0
William Wallace
Reply to  Ian mitchell
6 years ago

Wow! the things we used to do in some of those rooms………….. I feel so old looking at those pictures, I think that our Barrack Block Mitch!

0
John lambeth
Reply to  Karen Boardman
6 years ago

Spot on Karen. The memories are still there, but the base is a mess….. Such a shame, as was a great first posting for me.

0
Jackie
Reply to  Karen Boardman
6 years ago

Have some fab memories of Church Fenton. Such a shame to see it like this. Had an amazing chance to be escorted round the site a couple of years ago….

0

Footer

YorkMix
News 01904 848 766
Email YorkMix news »
5-6 King's Court, Shambles, York  YO1 7LD
YorkMix Radio
General enquiries 01904 375 029
Studio/competitions 01904 375 030
Email YorkMix Radio »
Selby Superbowl, Bawtry Road, Selby  YO8 8NA
YorkMix is a trading name of YorkMix Media Ltd
Registered in England
Company number: 07814727
VAT number: 154 0364 34
© York Sound Ltd

Copyright © 2022 YorkMix Media Ltd

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
wpDiscuz