Nestled along the Lincolnshire coast, the former RAF Wainfleet has been reimagined as a distinctive Airbnb destination, offering guests the chance to stay in repurposed military and aviation-themed accommodations. From a converted control tower to a helicopter that once served in Afghanistan, the site blends history with an unconventional lodging experience.
RAF Wainfleet, originally a Royal Air Force weapons range, was located on The Wash near Wainfleet, within the civil parish of Friskney. Part of its northeastern section extended into Wainfleet St Mary. The site operated alongside other nearby ranges, including RAF Holbeach and RAF Donna Nook. Also referred to as The Wash (North Side) Bombing Range, it was situated just a few miles southwest of Gibraltar Point. RAF Wainfleet officially ceased operations in 2010 and was subsequently acquired from the Ministry of Defence by local farmer Will Roughton, who had previously owned the access road to the base. With records of military activity dating back to 1890, the site has a long history as a weapons range, with artillery exercises believed to have taken place as far back as the Napoleonic era. Formal bye-laws were established in 1891, defining the range’s boundaries and enforcing strict regulations.
During World War I, the range was used for aircraft armament training, first by the Royal Naval Air Service and later by the RAF. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, both the RAF and Royal Artillery continued weapons training there. The site was reopened in 1938 as an aerial bombing and gunnery range, becoming a crucial facility during World War II. It was notably used by 617 Squadron’s Lancaster bombers to test the famous “Bouncing Bomb.” Remnants of 22,000lb Tallboy bombs, used to penetrate reinforced German U-boat pens, remain buried in the area’s muddy terrain. Post-war, the range was utilized for bomb disposal and military aircraft training, supporting aircraft such as Lincolns, Canberras, Vulcans, Tornados, and Harriers. At its peak, the range covered 55 square kilometers and played a key role in both military operations and the local economy, employing military personnel and civilian staff. Today, despite its history as a military site, it is also a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), home to diverse wildlife, including Brent Geese, Barn Owls, Marsh Harriers, and seals that frequent the area’s sandbanks.
Following its decommissioning, RAF Wainfleet was repurposed into an aviation-themed accommodation site. According to site manager Diana Fryer, the first transformation began in 2018 with the arrival of a Westland Lynx helicopter, sourced from a Suffolk-based company that dismantles aircraft. A Jetstream plane was acquired in 2019. “The Westland Lynx helicopter served in Afghanistan, providing air cover for ground troops, while the Jetstream was used for trainee engineers’ practice before its purchase,” Fryer explained. “It proved to be really popular, leading to the conversion of additional vehicles.” In 2021, a combine harvester was transformed into a unique lodging space, followed in 2023 by a Unimog army ambulance, a Samaritan tank, and a Green Goddess fire engine. The control tower, which underwent a year-long renovation, now features a living area in the former control room, with bedrooms occupying the former office spaces. Additionally, several base bunkers have been converted into holiday rentals.
“Converting these vehicles is a complex process,” Fryer noted. “We remove fuel tanks, wiring, and internal seating to create a livable space. The biggest challenge is making them watertight, but once that’s achieved, we install heating, beds, TVs, and other amenities.” This innovative project has turned a historic military site into a one-of-a-kind getaway, offering guests the opportunity to stay in accommodations steeped in aviation and military heritage while enjoying the unique landscape of the Lincolnshire coast. To book this Airbnb, click HERE.
