Shoreham Airport

You can tap any photo in the gallery below to view a full-sized image and to cycle through the gallery.

On my first visit to the Shoreham Airport Visitor Centre, the exhibits were located in a portacabin adjacent to the main airport building. This provided a considerably larger venue, and some of the photographs in the gallery below show many exhibits that are no longer publicly displayed. I did find the smaller aspect of the new exhibition venue very disappointing.

You can tap any photo in the gallery below to view a full-sized image and to cycle through the gallery.

You can tap any photo in the gallery below to view a full-sized image and to cycle through the gallery.

My cousin and I were absolutely delighted with our visit to the museum and restaurant.

Our Verdict for the Shoreham Airport Collection & Restaurant

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Rather than listing the museum opening times (which may change), please check their official website. The centre’s telephone number is 01273 467351.

Address for the Shoreham Airport Collection

Cecil Pashley Way, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, BN43 5FF

Parking at The Airport

You will find over 100 parking spaces immediately outside the main terminal building. Parking is on a pay and display basis.

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Note: when on the webcam’s web page, you will need to scroll right down before you can view the live stream.

Watch on YouTube

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The History of Shoreham Airport

Brighton City Airport (formerly Shoreham Airport) is a standout piece of British history, famously known as the UK’s oldest licensed airfield. Its legacy is a mix of early aviation guts, iconic architecture, and a critical role in national defence.

The Early Days of Flight

The site’s journey began in 1910, when Harold Piffard, an artist turned aviator, selected a stretch of grazing land along the River Adur to test his “Hummingbird” biplane. Piffard got things off the ground, but the airport really found its footing in 1911 with the arrival of Cecil and Eric Pashley. They founded a flying school in 1913, and Cecil Pashley went on to become a legendary figure at Shoreham, instructing thousands of pilots over several decades.

The airfield was officially opened on 20 June 1911. During these early years, it hosted the first-ever recorded cargo flight in the UK when Horatio Barber flew a box of Osram light bulbs to nearby Hove.

The Art Deco Era

In 1930, the local authorities of Brighton, Hove, and Worthing joined forces to transform the site into a municipal airport. This collaboration led to the construction of the iconic terminal building, designed by architect R. Stavers Tiltman.

Opened on 13 June 1936, the terminal is a classic example of Art Deco (specifically the Streamline Moderne style) and is now a Grade II listed building. Its distinctive look has made it a popular filming location for productions such as Agatha Christie’s Poirot and The Da Vinci Code.

Shoreham at War

The airport played a significant role in both World Wars. In WWI, it served as a base for the Royal Flying Corps. However, its contribution to WWII was even more extensive:

• The Battle of Britain: Shoreham was an emergency landing ground for damaged aircraft and a base for anti-invasion patrols using Westland Lysanders.
• Special Operations: The 1942 Dieppe Raid was reportedly planned within the terminal building.
• D-Day: In 1944, the 345 (Free French) Squadron operated Spitfires from the airfield in support of the Normandy landings.

Despite several air raids, the main terminal building survived the war remarkably unscathed, though other structures, such as the main hangar, suffered damage.

Post-War and Modern Era

After the war, Shoreham returned to civil use in 1946. For a time, it was a hub for aircraft manufacturing, with the Miles brothers (later Beagle Aircraft) producing light aircraft on-site until the early 1970s.

A significant modern upgrade occurred in 1982 with the construction of a tarmac runway, replacing the original grass landing strip that had served the airport for over 70 years. Today, the airport remains a busy centre for private aviation, flight training, and heritage tourism.

Sources and Further Reading

• Official History PDF – Brighton City Airport
• Official website for Shoreham Airport
• Historic England: Shoreham Airport Terminal Listing
• Shoreham Aerodrome History – Grace’s Guide
• A Brief History of Brighton City Airport – JetSpace
• Shoreham’s Role in Aviation History – The Argus

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