Benson (RAF)

1Benson Lane

Coming from Reading on the A4074, you will pass the airfield on your right-hand side. Just before Preston Crowmarsh, when you see the water refinery plant with large green housing, take a right into the small Benson Lane into this refinery. Take a direct left turn into an unnamed dirt track which leads towards a crash gate. From this point, you will have a restricted view of the hangars and aprons. If aircraft use the taxiway, pictures can be made with 300mm or more. Beware that this likely a private road now and officially off limits.

2St. Helens's Ave.

Taking the A4074 further North, go right into Benson Lane at St. Helens Avenue. This roads leads to another crashgate. From here, operations can be watched. With a good binocular, aircraft can be read. Photography is possible with a big lens (400 mm and onwards) but the sun is not in the most favourable position.

3Clack's Lane

Those with enough patience might enjoy this spot. Aircraft landing on runway 01 can be photographed from here. Take the A4074 South and take Clack's Lane towards Ewelme and RAF Benson. As Benson is home to helicopters not all approaches are made over the runway threshold, so it might take a while before you will get a decent shot.

4Runway 19

This is a good spot for photography. Follow Brook Street from Benson to Ewelme. Just after passing the threshold of runway 19, there is a spot where you can photograph landing helicopters with 200mm. The ramps and hangars are not visible from here.