Report - RAF West Raynham, Norfolk, June 2017

[tarkovsky]

The History

RAF West Raynham is located 2 miles west of West Raynham in Norfolk. The station closed in 1994, though the Ministry of Defence retained it as a strategic reserve. Having laid derelict since closure, the MoD elected in 2004 that it was surplus to requirements, and the site was sold in 2006 to the Welbeck Estate Group who sold the entire site in October 2007. The site is now managed by FW Properties of Norwich, acting for administrators Moore Stephens.

The site is now the location of a 49.9MW solar farm with plant housing and perimeter fence, operated by Good Energy. Some of the buildings are operated by small businesses, the rest lay empty and, therefore, fully explorable... ;-)

(History adapted from here: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_West_Raynham)

The Visit

Really enjoyed this explore, although my presiding memory is of a place that was predominantly beige in appearance. Didn’t make it across the full site, but enough to get a decent impression of the buildings that remain here.

 

[Lavino]

I like the look of this nice photos.

 

[tarkovsky]

Cheers @Lavino. Yeah, it’s more closely watched than some of the other bases and as a result has had less damage. There’s some other interesting bits I didn’t get to see too.

 

[HughieD]

Great set of images @tarkovsky Really reminds me of RAF Newton.

 

[tarkovsky]

Great set of images @tarkovsky Really reminds me of RAF Newton.

Cheers - not been to Newton, will check it out.

 

[ExploringwithEthan9]

love the photos that you have got they are really good. was just wondering hows the best way to start out urban exploring. i have been to a couple of places but unfortunately they are all covered in horrible graffiti and the buildings have been smashed up.

 

[tarkovsky]

love the photos that you have got they are really good. was just wondering hows the best way to start out urban exploring. i have been to a couple of places but unfortunately they are all covered in horrible graffiti and the buildings have been smashed up.

Thanks! And places covered in horrible graffiti and smashed up are probably good places to start. Once you’ve tested the water that way keep you eyes open for less obviously places, or have a good search on here. You’ll find stuff.

 

[tonyj154]

When I was in 2096 Sqn ATC, we spent 2 weeks at West Rainham in 1980. It was a Bloodhound training base back then. We stayed in these barrack blocks.

 

[tarkovsky]

When I was in 2096 Sqn ATC, we spent 2 weeks at West Rainham in 1980. It was a Bloodhound training base back then. We stayed in these barrack blocks.

Good stuff! Bet it looked a bit less worse for wear back then!