Grove Airfield

The concrete runways at Grove Airfield are cracked and weedy now, but stand on them and you can still feel what happened here. This was RAF Grove during World War II, home to Hawker Typhoons and the pilots who flew them into the teeth of the Luftwaffe. The airfield sits on the edge of the Oxfordshire Vale, about three miles south of Wantage, and what you get is honest rather than polished - a real wartime station, not a museum piece.

You can walk the perimeter and see the original dispersal pens where aircraft were kept, the control tower still standing, scattered buildings in various states of repair. History enthusiasts will spend a good hour here piecing together the layout, imagining the scramble orders and ground crews. Families with older children might manage it as a half-hour stop en route elsewhere, though there's not much interpretation on site, so you'll want to do your homework first.

Admission appears to be free and there's no barrier to access, though facilities are minimal. Early morning or late afternoon are best - the light catches the runways properly and you'll likely have the place to yourself. If you're staying at Evelyns Garden Glamping nearby, it's a decent walk or short drive to add some substance to a holiday that might otherwise feel too leisure-focused. The reality of the place matters more than any reconstruction ever could.