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Helicopter landings continue as normal despite hard runway being unavailable; helipads H1-H4 at Bedford Autodrome, 1 mile NW of the aerodrome; prior permission only.
Bedford Aerodrome is an airfield near Bedford, in the civil parish of Thurleigh, Bedford, England. The site sits at 270 ft above sea level, and open data lists 2 runways, the longest about 3,592 ft (1,095 m), surfaced with Concrete and Grass. Its own website says: Helicopter landings continue as normal despite hard runway being unavailable; helipads H1-H4 at Bedford Autodrome, 1 mile NW of the aerodrome; prior permission only. The nearest major towns and cities are Milton Keynes (18 miles), Northampton (19 miles) and Towcester (23 miles), measured in a straight line; the closest railway station is Bedford, 6.6 miles away; the nearest hospital with an A&E department is Bedford Hospital South Wing, 7.1 miles away. A typical twin helicopter could fly from here to Battersea Heliport in London in roughly 33 minutes, about 46 nautical miles in a straight line. It is one of 6 landing sites we list in Bedford.
Compiled from open data (OurAirports), the council and postcode lookup, railway station and hospital data, and the site's own website where it says anything about helicopters. It is information only; confirm everything with the site.
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| Type | Airfield |
|---|---|
| Nation | England |
| Nearest place | Bedford, Bedford |
| Position | 52°13′50.6″N 0°27′49.8″W 52.23071, -0.46382 |
| Elevation | 270 ft |
| Map and directions | Open in Google Maps · Directions |
| Official website | bedfordaerodrome.com |
| Helicopter information | Helicopter landings continue as normal despite hard runway being unavailable; helipads H1-H4 at Bedford Autodrome, 1 mile NW of the aerodrome; prior permission only. Policy stated on its own website |
Runway layout drawn from open data (not to scale).
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UK night is from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise. Times are UK local time, calculated for this position.
| Council area | Bedford |
|---|---|
| Region | East of England, England |
| Nearest postcode | MK44 2YP |
In England, planning law gives a right to use land for certain temporary purposes for up to 28 days a year. Whether that covers a particular helicopter landing is a question for the planning authority, and some land is excluded. Read the landing rules.
Straight-line distance; road times are rough estimates (approx.). Check your own route.
Data from OpenStreetMap contributors. Not checked by us: confirm opening times and whether they welcome fly-in guests.
Nearest hospital with an A&E: Bedford Hospital South Wing · 7.1 mi
Hospital helipads nearby:
For information only. In an emergency, call 999.
| To | Distance | About |
|---|---|---|
| London (Battersea) | 47 nm | 33 min |
| Birmingham | 55 nm | 36 min |
| Norwich | 69 nm | 43 min |
| Southampton | 87 nm | 52 min |
| Bristol | 92 nm | 54 min |
| Manchester | 99 nm | 58 min |
| Leeds | 102 nm | 59 min |
| Cardiff | 110 nm | 1 h 03 |
| Newcastle | 170 nm | 1 h 32 |
| Jersey | 192 nm | 1 h 43 |
Approximate: a typical twin helicopter at 130 knots, with 5% for routing and 10 minutes for start-up and arrival. Not a flight plan; weather and routing change it.
Distances are straight-line; road times are rough estimates.
Yes, according to its own website: Helicopter landings continue as normal despite hard runway being unavailable; helipads H1-H4 at Bedford Autodrome, 1 mile NW of the aerodrome; prior permission only. Always arrange the landing with the airfield first.
Yes. Always get permission from the landowner or the airfield operator before you land. Many airfields ask for prior permission (PPR) by phone or email, and some charge a landing fee. Members can see any prior-permission note, contact and fee we hold in the rules section of this page, and the landing-rules guide explains planning, noise and airspace.
Bedford Aerodrome is an airfield at 52.2307, -0.4638, in the Bedford council area of East of England, England. The nearest major town or city is Milton Keynes (18 miles in a straight line). The closest railway station is Bedford (6.6 miles).
The nearest hospital with an emergency department that we have on file is Bedford Hospital South Wing, about 7.1 miles away in a straight line. In an emergency, call 999.
To Battersea Heliport it is about 46 nautical miles in a straight line, which a typical twin helicopter flying at 130 knots could cover in roughly 33 minutes including start-up and arrival. It is an estimate, not a flight plan.
Many private sites only accept landings in daylight, and UK night is counted from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise. The daylight table on this page is calculated for this exact position. Check the opening hours and any seasonal restrictions with the airfield.
