Spotting Locations - Bristol Airport Spotting

There are a number of spotting locations at Bristol Airport in which to spot and photograph landing and departing aircraft, some of these are non-official and some are official, we only explain how to get to the official safe locations which can be found on the map below as well as detailed information further down this page on how to locate and access.

Winters Lane North

This place is good for general spotting when aircraft landing on runway 27 taxi back to the terminal. You can also catch aircraft taking off from runway 9, as they taxi to take off. You won’t always get props up there, because they turn down the taxiway prior to the end, therefore cutting out that section of the runway. While good for general viewing. this is not the best place for photography because the fence has been placed there.

Getting Here

If your coming down to the airport from the North, with the airport on your right, you will pass a pub called the Airport Tavern, and the bridge mentioned above will be right in front of you. Turn right into Downside Road.

When you get into Downside Road, keep going straight ahead. You will pass the airport tower and freight entrance on your left. Keep going until you see a red phone box and a sign saying “Tall Pines Golf Club and Lodges”. Turn left there into ‘Cooks Bridle Path’. This is a tight lane so be careful for oncoming traffic and regular tractor activity.

Continue up that lane, past the golf course on your right, down another little hill and back up the other side. You will then come to a bend where you will find the airport perimeter fence, and the main taxiway.

Winters Lane South

Recommended Spot

This is the best overall place for spotting, as it provides great views for aircraft on the apron, landing, taking off and taxiing. Again due to the fence placement, it’s not ideal for photography, however, if you bring a small pair of step ladders, you will be able to get the camera lens over the fence.

The preference for photographers is to get towards the end of Runway 9 where the fence is lower. The more general spotters go further down to the centre of the runway, to let the photographers get clear views. In the summer when it is warm, ice-cream vans are up there to serve the spotters.

Getting Here

Felton Common

Recommended Spot

This location is very good when runway 27 is in use for landings and take offs, arriving aircraft are a few hundred feet above you and provide a great spot for close up photos and videos, numerous YouTube videos have been recorded here, this spot is to the east of the A 38 is right under the flight path.

Getting Here

If you are coming up from the South, with the Airport on your left hand side, you will come up to the Silver Zone Car park and Bristol Flying Centre roundabout. Go across this roundabout, and you will pass under the runway 27 threshold. Keep going until you get to the next roundabout, which is for the main terminal. Go across that one, down a little hill under a bridge, then take the first right, you will go across a cattle grid, keep going until you reach a road on your right called Felton Street, turn right up this road and go to the very top where you will need to park on the grass areas with the other cars. Park here and walk across the common to where the landing lights are.

If your coming down to the airport from the North, with the airport on your right, you will see a pub called the Airport Tavern which will be on your right, before this is a road on the left which will go across a cattle grid keep going along this road until you reach a road on your right called Felton Street, turn right up this road and go to the very top where you will need to park on the grass areas with the other cars. Park here and walk across the common to where the landing lights are. But do not enter the field where the landing lights are as this is private land.

The Flight Lounge

This location is great if you are particularly interested in watching the general aircraft action at Bristol Airport or want to log and photograph the business jets that regularly come and go from the airport, you can also see the commercial aircraft landing and departing from the runway but photography of them is not possible as you are some distance from the runway.

Getting Here

If you are coming up from the South, with the airport on your left hand side, you will come up to the Silver Zone Car park and Bristol Flying Centre roundabout. Turn left here and then first right, do not enter the silver zone car park. Follow the road round to the left and the Bristol Flying School building will be in front of you, park in the car park and head to the cafe where you will be able to view the action.

If your coming down to the airport from the North, with the airport on your right, at the airport roundabout continue to head straight on following the A38 until you come to the second roundabout for the silver zone car park, turn right here and then first right, do not enter the silver zone car park. Follow the road round to the left and the Bristol Flying School building will be in front of you, park in the car park and head to the cafe where you will be able to view the action.