RAF Waddington
Lincoln, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom

RAF Waddington
Royal Air Force station near Lincoln, a key UK defence hub.
- ›RAF Waddington opened in 1916 during World War I and has been continuously developed since.
- ›It served as a V-bomber base during the Cold War, operating Vulcan bombers.
- ›The station is home to ISTAR assets including the E-3D Sentry and previously the Sentinel R1.
- ›Waddington International Airshow was one of the UK's largest military air displays until it was discontinued.
- ›The base hosts No. 8 Squadron and other specialist RAF intelligence and surveillance units.
RAF Waddington is a Royal Air Force base located south of Lincoln, Lincolnshire, with a history stretching back to 1916. It serves as a key operational station for the RAF, hosting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft including the E-7 Sentry and Rivet Joint platforms. The base is not open to the general public for commercial travel and operates strictly as a military installation.
- Military Operations Area — Restricted military facility handling RAF aircraft movements; no civilian passenger terminal exists.
- Private vehicle access via A15 road (authorised personnel only)
- MOD-arranged transport for service personnel
- Taxi services from Lincoln city centre to base perimeter
- DoubleTree by Hilton Lincoln
- The Lincoln Hotel
- Holiday Inn Express Lincoln City Centre
- Bentley Hotel Lincoln
There are no public dining facilities at RAF Waddington, as the base is restricted to authorised military and civilian defence personnel. Lincoln city centre, approximately 5 miles north, offers a wide range of restaurants, cafés, and pubs for visitors to the area.
- RAF Waddington is a closed military base; civilian access requires prior authorisation from the MOD.
- The annual RAF Waddington Air Show (when held) is one of the few occasions the public can access the airfield; check RAF official channels for scheduling.
- Lincoln Cathedral and the historic city centre are easily accessible for those visiting the broader area.
- Nearest civilian airport for travel is East Midlands Airport (EMA), approximately 50 miles south.
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Royal Air Force Waddington, commonly known as RAF Waddington, and informally known by its nickname 'Waddo' is a Royal Air Force station located beside the village of Waddington, 4.2 miles south of Lincoln, Lincolnshire, in England.
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