Gravesend Airfield

The concrete runways and scattered buildings at Gravesend Airfield tell the story of wartime Britain in a way no museum can quite match. This is where RAF Gravesend operated during the Second World War, and if you know what you're looking at, the bones of history are still very much visible across the site near Tilbury.

What you get here depends entirely on your knowledge and imagination. There are no reconstructed hangars or polished visitor centres - this is the real thing, albeit weathered and half-forgotten. The runways remain, the control tower still stands, and if the gates are open, you can walk the perimeter and piece together how operations ran in those frantic years. It's absorbing for military history enthusiasts and aviation buffs, less so if you're after a tidy, interactive experience.

Bring decent walking shoes and allow a couple of hours to properly explore. There's no formal admission charge, though access can be restricted - check locally before you go. The nearest town is Tilbury, which has the essentials for supplies and a decent pub or two.

If you're basing yourself at Thamesview Camping or Badgells Wood Camping, both five-star sites within easy reach, Gravesend Airfield makes a solid half-day detour for anyone interested in WWII heritage. It won't thrill the kids unless they're already hooked on that period, but for walkers and history types, it's absolutely worth the trip.