Hangar 161

You'll find Hangar 161 just outside Winchester, a sprawling aircraft hangar that transforms into something altogether more interesting once a year. It's the beating heart of Boomtown Fair, a four-day festival that takes over this former RAF site every August, turning decommissioned military buildings into an immersive playground of music, theatre, and art installations.

Outside festival season, the hangar itself doesn't operate as a regular attraction - it's really the festival that draws crowds. But if you're camping nearby at Winchester Morn Hill or Holden Farm during Boomtown, this is where the serious action happens. The scale of the thing is properly impressive; the actual hangar space dwarfs most venue interiors you'll encounter. The production values are high, and they take the whole experience seriously rather than just slinging a stage into an empty shed.

Historically, it's got real bones - this was active RAF territory. That adds a certain weight to proceedings, though the organisers aren't precious about it. They layer contemporary culture over the military legacy without getting bogged down in reverence.

Worth noting: Boomtown isn't for everyone. It skews young, the crowds are hefty, and yes, it's a paid festival with hefty ticket prices. But if you're into electronic music, theatre, and art installations, and you're based at one of the nearby caravan sites, it's a genuine draw. Outside those August dates? The hangar sits quiet. Plan accordingly.