Thanks to Kelvin Davies for providing the content (and pictures!) for this page.
Possibly the best place in England for photographing planes.
This airport has 2 parallel runways but the southern one operates on a part time basis, usually open from before dawn to around 10:00, although times appear to be variable with no warning.
You can access our interactive map below..
Probably the best location is the one marked "South Side spotting 1".
This is on a raised area less than 150 yards from the end of the southern runway (23L) and approximately 500 yards from the northern runway (23R).
Being raised, this spot has the advantage of putting you above the perimeter fence.
Also on the south side, there is an excellent track along the airport perimeter, although this involves a walk of around 1 mile with a couple of pretty steep climbs up and down around the River Bollin valley (splendid scenery though!)
If you walk to the spot marked "South Side spotting 2", you can sit on an elevated grass bank with a splendid view of aircraft arriving on runway 05R (easterly winds).
Parking for the southern side is on a public road. If you follow the A538 toward Wilmslow, the road takes you beneath the runways, via 2 tunnels. Immediately after the second tunnel, there is a roundabout where you take the first exit.
Photos taken from "South Side spotting 1"
A380 departing from the northern runway:
B757 lining up for departure on the southern runway
Photos taken from "South Side spotting 2":
On the northern side of the airport, there is an excellent viewing area, marked "North Side spotting", complete with car parking, a good cafe and purpose built viewing mounds only 75 yards from the nearest taxiway.
Parking and spotting areas are marked with "North Side parking" and "North Side spotting". The drawbacks with this location are; the sun can be in your face for most of the day and the car park is not free, although they have a maximum fee of £12.
Getting there; again, follow the A538 Wilmslow road and you will see a sign for a pub named "Romper". Take that turning and at the end of the road, turn right and follow the road right into the Aviation Park. If you don't want to pay the parking fee, turn left instead of right and park somewhere on the road or even in the pub car park.
Photos taken from "South Side spotting 1"
Map Link:
https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=z2TdUmtma-Lc.k81E5q_yMpko
Kelvin's Website: https://www.kelvindavies.co.uk
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