RAF Cranwell is an airport near Sleaford, within North Kesteven (Lincolnshire), in East Midlands, England. The site sits at 218 ft above sea level, and open data lists 4 runways, the longest about 6,831 ft (2,082 m), surfaced with ASP and GRS. We have not yet checked its own website for a helicopter policy, so treat it as unconfirmed. The nearest major towns and cities are Nottingham (28 miles), Leicester (38 miles) and Grimsby (41 miles), measured in a straight line; the closest railway station is Ancaster, 3.2 miles away; the nearest hospital with an A&E department is Lincoln County Hospital, 14 miles away. A typical twin helicopter could fly from here to Battersea Heliport in London in roughly 55 minutes, about 94 nautical miles in a straight line. It is one of 56 landing sites we list in Lincolnshire.
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 | Airport |
|---|---|
| Nation | England |
| Nearest place | Sleaford, Lincolnshire |
| Position | 53°01′38.3″N 0°29′35.2″W 53.02731, -0.49310 |
| Elevation | 218 ft |
| Map and directions | Open in Google Maps · Directions |
| Official website | raf.mod.uk/rafcranwell |
| Helicopter information | Not yet researched Not yet researched |
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 | North Kesteven |
|---|---|
| County | Lincolnshire |
| Region | East Midlands, England |
| Nearest postcode | NG34 8HB |
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.
Nearest hospital with an A&E: Lincoln County Hospital · 14 mi
For information only. In an emergency, call 999.
| To | Distance | About |
|---|---|---|
| Leeds | 60 nm | 39 min |
| Birmingham | 60 nm | 39 min |
| Manchester | 68 nm | 43 min |
| Norwich | 69 nm | 44 min |
| London (Battersea) | 95 nm | 56 min |
| Bristol | 122 nm | 1 h 09 |
| Newcastle | 124 nm | 1 h 10 |
| Southampton | 132 nm | 1 h 14 |
| Cardiff | 135 nm | 1 h 16 |
| Edinburgh | 199 nm | 1 h 47 |
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.
We have not yet confirmed this. Many airfields welcome visiting helicopters, but policies differ and prior permission is common, so contact the airfield before you plan to land.
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.
RAF Cranwell is an airport at 53.0273, -0.4931, in the North Kesteven council area of East Midlands, England. The nearest major town or city is Nottingham (28 miles in a straight line). The closest railway station is Ancaster (3.2 miles).
The nearest hospital with an emergency department that we have on file is Lincoln County Hospital, about 14 miles away in a straight line. In an emergency, call 999.
To Battersea Heliport it is about 94 nautical miles in a straight line, which a typical twin helicopter flying at 130 knots could cover in roughly 55 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.
