Report - Water Tower, RAF North Witham, Lincolnshire, May 2019

[HughieD]

1. The History
RAF North Witham is a former World War II airfield in Lincolnshire, England. The airfield is located in Twyford Wood, off the A1 between Stamford and Grantham. It opened in 1943 and was used by both the RAF and US Army Air Forces. During the war it was used primarily as a transport airfield. It was allocated to the USAAF Troop Carrier Command in August 1943. Its immediate task was to distribute transport aircraft and the means of maintaining them to operational groups of the USAAF. USAAF C-47 maintenance repair activities continued at North Witham until May 1945, albeit on a reducing scale.

After the war it was closed in late 1945. The site was originally partially wooded and some of this remained to the northeast of the runways throughout the military period but after closure, the Forestry Commission planted most of the airfield with oak (Quercus robur) and conifers. Part of it is now a reserve for butterflies and the concrete is slowly being broken up and removed. Outlines of large numbers of loop dispersal hardstands can be seen in aerial photography, with the perimeter track being reduced to a single lane road.

2. The Explore
Walked the runways and explored the old watchtower and a while back but never got around to the water tower as it is quite a bit south of the watch tower. Hence a revisit was always on the cards. Very little info about the water tower and no pictures that I could find. Having parked up, I hopped the barb-wired gate followed the treeline and arrived at the coppice that has now engulfed the water tower. It’s fenced off but having negotiated that found that the metal ladder was caged and locked at the bottom. Perhaps with a bit of perseverance and if I hadn’t been on my tod, I could have got around it and up there. Once past that obstacle you can get right up to the top of this impressive water tower. One for next time. Previous report HERE.

3. The Pictures

Didn’t go back to the watch tower:

img7795 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img7811 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Or walk the runways this time:

img7824 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Headed straight for the water tower:

img0898 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Not sure if this dates back from WW2:

Watertower 04 by HughieDW, on Flickr

The water tower peeps out of the trees:

img0897 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Full frontal:

Watertower 03 by HughieDW, on Flickr

The old depth measure:

img0895 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Pipping rusting away:

img0893 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img0891 by HughieDW, on Flickr

The reason I couldn’t get up:

img0888bw by HughieDW, on Flickr

img0885 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img0882bw by HughieDW, on Flickr

img0878 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img0896 by HughieDW, on Flickr

 

[tigger]

What's not to love about an old Braithwaite water tower
They are still making them

 

[HughieD]

What's not to love about an old Braithwaite water tower
They are still making them

Ah...thank you for the info @tigger - didn't know that.

 

[MrDevla]

Some great photos there. There is another abandoned airfield a few miles south of this next to the A1 that looks like it has the old control tower worthy of a visit. I’m passing there next week so I’ll try and call by.

 

[tigger]

There is another abandoned airfield a few miles south of this next to the A1 that looks like it has the old control tower worthy of a visit. I’m passing there next week so I’ll try and call by.

Woolfox Lodge? The watch office there isn't in bad condition though there's not much left of the airfiled

 

[HughieD]

Some great photos there. There is another abandoned airfield a few miles south of this next to the A1 that looks like it has the old control tower worthy of a visit. I’m passing there next week so I’ll try and call by.

There is indeed - RAF Woolfax. The watch tower is one of the best I've ever seen. Well worth an hour of your time. Park up on the lay-by on the south carriageway of the A1.

img6247 by HughieDW, on Flickr

 

[tigger]

@HughieD It's RAF Woolfox Lodge not Woolfax ;-)
When was that photo? The spalling on the bricks seems far worse than I remember (and there was definitely more of the cement render when I was there...it was a few years ago.....about 1987 I think). It's a Watch Office for Night Fighter Stations to drawing 4533/42

 

[HughieD]

@HughieD It's RAF Woolfox Lodge not Woolfax ;-)
When was that photo? The spalling on the bricks seems far worse than I remember (and there was definitely more of the cement render when I was there...it was a few years ago.....about 1987 I think)

Oops! Always get this wrong! Was September 2014 mate...

 

[A man called Martyn]

Woolfox Lodge? The watch office there isn't in bad condition though there's not much left of the airfield

It was well worth the visit last year over the course of that hot summer. A large amount of lost features of the airfield re-appeared as parch marks.

 

[lolza22]

Are y

1. The History
RAF North Witham is a former World War II airfield in Lincolnshire, England. The airfield is located in Twyford Wood, off the A1 between Stamford and Grantham. It opened in 1943 and was used by both the RAF and US Army Air Forces. During the war it was used primarily as a transport airfield. It was allocated to the USAAF Troop Carrier Command in August 1943. Its immediate task was to distribute transport aircraft and the means of maintaining them to operational groups of the USAAF. USAAF C-47 maintenance repair activities continued at North Witham until May 1945, albeit on a reducing scale.

After the war it was closed in late 1945. The site was originally partially wooded and some of this remained to the northeast of the runways throughout the military period but after closure, the Forestry Commission planted most of the airfield with oak (Quercus robur) and conifers. Part of it is now a reserve for butterflies and the concrete is slowly being broken up and removed. Outlines of large numbers of loop dispersal hardstands can be seen in aerial photography, with the perimeter track being reduced to a single lane road.

2. The Explore
Walked the runways and explored the old watchtower and a while back but never got around to the water tower as it is quite a bit south of the watch tower. Hence a revisit was always on the cards. Very little info about the water tower and no pictures that I could find. Having parked up, I hopped the barb-wired gate followed the treeline and arrived at the coppice that has now engulfed the water tower. It’s fenced off but having negotiated that found that the metal ladder was caged and locked at the bottom. Perhaps with a bit of perseverance and if I hadn’t been on my tod, I could have got around it and up there. Once past that obstacle you can get right up to the top of this impressive water tower. One for next time. Previous report HERE.

3. The Pictures

Didn’t go back to the watch tower:

img7795 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img7811 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Or walk the runways this time:

img7824 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Headed straight for the water tower:

img0898 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Not sure if this dates back from WW2:

Watertower 04 by HughieDW, on Flickr

The water tower peeps out of the trees:

img0897 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Full frontal:

Watertower 03 by HughieDW, on Flickr

The old depth measure:

img0895 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Pipping rusting away:

img0893 by HughieDW, on Flickr

img0891 by HughieDW, on Flickr

The reason I couldn’t get up:

 

[lolza22]

Don’t suppose you are able to pin point on a map where the water tower is? X