RAF Marham Plane Spotting Guide

Overview

RAF Marham is located south-east of Marham village in Norfolk, about 9 miles south-east of King's Lynn and 6 miles west of Swaffham. It serves as the RAF and Royal Navy's ground attack centre and is home to the F-35 Lightning force.

What to Expect

Marham hosts resident F‑35B Lightnings of 207 Squadron (the Operational Conversion Unit) and 617 Squadron. Tornado operations have ceased, but Lightning activities are increasingly frequent as the force builds. Expect some noisy sorties daily, weather and schedule permitting.

Visiting aircraft vary: Hawks, Tucanos, Tutors, UC‑12s from Mildenhall, and occasionally F‑15s from Lakenheath transiting to northern ranges or popping in for lunch. Three vertical landing pads lie within the runway triangle.

Ground displays include a Tornado gate guard and preserved Victor and Canberra airframes by Station HQ (not externally visible). Contact the Station CRO for photography access.

Active hours: 09:00–18:00 weekdays. Limited glider activity on summer evenings and weekends.

Viewing Locations & Routes

Point A: Chalk Lane Pull-In

Off the A47 eastbound, turn onto A1122, then right onto Chalk Lane. Park at the field gap (approach lights visible). Views of departures on Runway 06 and approaches to 24. Car parking on both sides—avoid blocking farm access or getting stuck in roadside dips.

Walking Routes to Runway 24

Follow the farm track to the approach lights, then field-edge west to the hedge. Stay on edges; MoD land under approach lights is on farmer’s land.

Points B & C: Hedge Gaps

Closer landing shots from fence gaps (stepladder useful but ground is soft). Point B for morning sun; as sun moves, walk north to point C via approach lights.

Point D: Eastern HAS Access

After Chalk Lane, turn right into crash gate lane. Limited taxiway views; park considerately.

Point E: White Road Junction

Small scrub parking. Photos of approaches to Runway 01; optional walk (farmer permitting) to yellow fence west of point F.

Points F & G: Southern Taxiways

For Runway 06 approaches or Runway 24 departures, use White Lane crash gate (point G) or the layby toward Barton Bendish (point H, next).

Point H: Barton Bendish Layby

Popular spot with hilltop view of most airfield. 24 departures bank left; 06 arrivals clear. Multiple layby and roadside pull‑offs available.

Points I & K: Field Edge Walk

From point H, walk field edge toward mobile mast then to point I and onward to K for approach shots. Keep to boundaries and avoid crops.

Points J & K: White Lane Hardstanding

Via Fincham village, unpaved White Lane (4×4 recommended). Park at hardstanding near storage tank. Walk to crash gate, then south for head-on taxiway views and Runway 06 approach shots.

Point L: Runway 19 Approach

Remote layby; distant and limited views. Only use if specifically targeting 19 approaches.

Other Information

• Fuel & shops: Swaffham town. Little Chef café with restrooms off A47 northbound near A1122 junction.
• Convenience stores: near station entrance and on road to Marham village.
• RAF Police patrol local roads; park safely and behave responsibly.
• RAF Lakenheath: ~20 miles south (A1122 → A47 → A1065 via Swaffham → Brandon).
• Report suspicious activity to guardroom: 01760 337694.
• Respect farmers: avoid walking through crops and hogging fields under approaches.

Contributors: Nick Challoner, Alistair Henderson, Milscanners, Richard Flagg, David Boughen.

Source: Thunder & Lightnings – Airfield Viewing Guide – RAF Marham

Map & Details

Coordinates: 52°38′30.9"N 0°34′08.7"E

What3Words: ///shameless.rather.unsettled

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