Goodwood Aerodrome

The airfield at Goodwood is where some genuinely special flying happens - it's an active aerodrome with serious heritage, not a museum you walk around with a clipboard. Chichester is your nearest proper town, about six miles away, which makes this a reasonable detour if you're based at one of the caravan parks around Bognor Regis or Slindon.

What you actually see depends on timing. On event days - the aerodrome hosts everything from vintage aircraft gatherings to airshows - it's properly thrilling: vintage Spitfires, Hurricanes, and everything else that shouldn't fly but absolutely does. On quiet days, it's more about watching the activity from designated viewing areas and soaking up the atmosphere of a working flying school.

The site itself reflects its Second World War origins without being twee about it. There's real flying history here, and the people running the place actually care about aircraft, not just the box-ticking heritage angle.

It's worth a morning or afternoon if you're into aviation or just fancy seeing something different. Families with kids who aren't already obsessed with planes might find an hour enough. Serious aviation enthusiasts will want to check the event calendar before visiting - that's when the aerodrome truly comes alive. Admission details and opening hours shift with the schedule, so check their website before you visit.

If you're staying at Butlins or one of the surrounding caravan sites, it's close enough for a half-day trip without feeling like you've driven forever.