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Ridgewell Airfield

Those in Essex with a keen interesting in gliding will find plenty to enjoy at Ridgewell Airfield, as it's the home of the Essex Gliding Club, offering the most fun possible with one of the calmest form of flight around, as it's just the thermals keeping your airbound - so you'll feel like a swooping bird from up high over the Essex countryside. Book vouchers for Gliding Experiences at Ridgewell Airfield today with FlyDays.
Information
Map

The Clubhouse
Ridgewell Airfield
Ashen Road
Ashen
Sudbury
Essex
CO10 8JU

Based in the village of Ashen, on the border between Essex and Suffolk, Ridgewell Airfield is exclusively owned and run by the Essex Gliding Club. It is easily accessible from surrounding towns on both sides of the border, including Sudbury, Halstead and Haverhill. The nearest train station is Sudbury, and a taxi from the station to the airfield takes just under 30 minutes.

Runway
05/23
Dimensions(m)
1280x46
Surface
Grass
TORA(m)
Unknown
LDA(m)
Unknown
AMSL
273ft
Runway True Runways
https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?q=The Clubhouse,Ridgewell Airfield,Ashen Road,Ashen,Sudbury,Essex,CO10 8JU&key=AIzaSyD9DQ80p8ZEQQo3zaS-fjBUQT10yhKoLTA

Flying Experiences at Ridgewell Airfield

Nationwide Gliding Experience Experience from flydays.co.uk
Nationwide Gliding Experience
Get up in the air with the nationwide Gliding Experience, choose from one of the many gliding clubs across the country to do your experience at. All ...
£99.00
Gold Essex Gliding Flight Experience from flydays.co.uk
Gold Essex Gliding Flight
Gliding fans are in for a truly golden time up in the sky on this special Gold Gliding Flight experience. The gliding club from which it is hosted is ...
£275.00
Silver Essex Gliding Flight Experience from flydays.co.uk
Silver Essex Gliding Flight
Take flight with our Silver Gliding Flight experience, hosted at Ridgewell Airfield. This quiet airfield, which is dedicated solely to the gliding cl ...
£145.00
Bronze Essex Gliding Flight Experience from flydays.co.uk
Bronze Essex Gliding Flight
If you’re interested in gliding, then this special Bronze Gliding Flight package is the ideal introduction to one of the most graceful ways you can g ...
£95.00

Flying Experiences in South East

45 Minute City of London Tour for Four Experience from flydays.co.uk
45 Minute City of London Tour for Four
If you're looking for a unique way to experience London, consider booking a Private Helicopter Tour. This tour is perfect for groups of four and offe ...
£849.00
Top Gun Experience for Two - Saturdays Experience from flydays.co.uk
Top Gun Experience for Two - Saturdays
Will you fly with 'Goose' or 'Iceman' on this Saturday experience for two to fly a 'Top Gun' sortie with a fighter pilot in a military training aircr ...
£1195.00
Top Gun Experience for Two - Weekdays Experience from flydays.co.uk
Top Gun Experience for Two - Weekdays
You'll be 'Maverick' and 'Goose' on this Friday experience for two to fly a 'Top Gun' sortie with a fighter pilot in a military training aircraft. Ta ...
£995.00
30 Minute Flying Lesson - Nationwide Venues Experience from flydays.co.uk
30 Minute Flying Lesson - Nationwide Venues
Choose a location from one of the available Nationwide flying clubs to have a 30 minute Flying Lesson. There is no better way to take the first steps ...
£99.00
30 Minute Helicopter Lesson - Nationwide Venues Experience from flydays.co.uk
30 Minute Helicopter Lesson - Nationwide Venues
Available nationwide, these 30-minute helicopter flying lessons are available at a whole host of locations and are completely flexible, meaning it is ...
£249.00
Indoor Skydiving for Two - Special Offer Experience from flydays.co.uk
SAVE 35%
Indoor Skydiving for Two - Special Offer
Looking for a special gift idea to surprise your friend, family member or loved one with? Then for a limited time only, you can take advantage of our ...
£138.98    £89.99
Indoor Skydiving for One - Special Offer Experience from flydays.co.uk
SAVE 30%
Indoor Skydiving for One - Special Offer
Get ready to take flight as you never have before with this exclusive special offer on our incredible Indoor Skydiving experience for one! For a limi ...
£69.99    £48.99
Extended iFLY Experience Experience from flydays.co.uk
Extended iFLY Experience
If you've ever been on one of our exciting iFLY Indoor Skydiving experiences before - or perhaps you just want to book more time suspended in a verti ...
£99.99

Information About Ridgewell Airfield

Those in Essex with a keen interest in gliding will find plenty to enjoy at Ridgewell Airfield. Located between the village of Ashen, on the border between Essex and Suffolk, Ridgewell Airfield is exclusively owned and run by the Essex Gliding Club. It is easily accessible from surrounding towns on both sides of the border, including Sudbury, Halstead and Haverhill.

The airfield was opened in December 1942 and was first used by the NO. 90 Squadron of RAF Bomber Command, equipped with Short Stirling Bombers until May 1943. The station at the time was a satellite of RAF Stradishall.

During World War II, the airfield was used by the Royal Air Force and the United States Army Air Forces Eight Air Force and was home to the 381st Bomb Group, equipped with B-17s. It was the only long-term heavy bomber airfield and was part of the 1st Combat Wing establishment of the 1st Division.

The last wartime mission from Ridgewell occurred on April 25th 1945, against the Skoda Works at Pilsen in Czechoslovakia. The 381st left Ridgewell in early June 1945 and flew home to the USA.

After the war, RAF Ridgewell served as a base for No’s 94 and 95 Maintenance Units for the RAF who used the hangers as bomb storage from July 15th 1945, to March 31st 1957. It was then disposed of and sold. The United States Air Force retained the old aircraft hangers for storage until its closure in the early 1990s.

Recently, the Essex Gliding Club purchased part of the airfield and is their home location for gliding throughout the summer months. They also welcome flying enthusiasts to participate in their Flying Experiences where you can glide like a bird over the beautiful Essex countryside.

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