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WTN · medium airport

RAF Waddington

Lincoln, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom

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WTNmedium airport

RAF Waddington

Lincoln, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom
Explore Lincoln, Lincolnshire city guide Navigate to this airport
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ICAO
231 ft
Elevation
TravelerPulse profile

Royal Air Force station near Lincoln, a key UK defence hub.

Opened
1916
Location
Lincoln, United Kingdom
RAF Waddington is a Royal Air Force station located approximately five miles south of Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England. It serves as one of the United Kingdom's primary intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) bases, hosting several specialist aircraft types and squadrons. The station has historically played a significant role in British military aviation, including service during World War II as a bomber base and later as a V-bomber station during the Cold War. Today it supports a range of intelligence-gathering and airborne early warning missions. RAF Waddington is also well known for hosting the annual Waddington International Airshow, one of the largest military airshows in the United Kingdom, which attracts large crowds and international aircraft displays.
Getting to & from
RAF Waddington is accessible primarily by road via the A15, with Lincoln city centre located approximately five miles to the north.
Notable facts
  • ›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.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
Historic RAF station standing watch over the Lincolnshire skies

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.

Terminals
  • Military Operations Area — Restricted military facility handling RAF aircraft movements; no civilian passenger terminal exists.
Ground Transport
  • Private vehicle access via A15 road (authorised personnel only)
  • MOD-arranged transport for service personnel
  • Taxi services from Lincoln city centre to base perimeter
Nearby Hotels
  • DoubleTree by Hilton Lincoln
  • The Lincoln Hotel
  • Holiday Inn Express Lincoln City Centre
  • Bentley Hotel Lincoln
Dining

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.

Traveller Tips
  • 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.
Official website

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RAF Waddington
Encyclopaedia

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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