I recently visited London Stansted Airport and chose to use the Belmer Road spotting location as a base for watching the action.
Whilst there are no official spotting locations at Stansted Airport, this spot is kept in a good condition with cut grass and car parking permitted alongside the road. ‘Plane Watch’ signs attached to the fence also hints that the airport know this is a well-used spot.
After parking up alongside the road (there are usually other cars parked there, particularly at weekends), it is a short walk through one of the gaps in the trees to reach the open area which runs alongside a significant part of the fence on the northern side of the airport.
The airport’s runway runs in front of you, and it is possible to take pictures through the fence or as aircraft climb above it.
Most aircraft movements can be seen from this location, however you’ll usually have to wait for aircraft to move away from the passenger terminal before they can be identified.
Directly opposite the spotting location is the cargo ramp, which is often home to a number of Boeing 747-8s. To the right is the VIP terminal and parking area. The aircraft can not be seen from Belmer Road, but it is a short drive or a 20 minute walk to reach the area.
To reach Belmer Road by car, follow directions for the Long Stay Car Park, but continue past their entrance along the narrow country road (Bury Lodge Lane). It eventually becomes Belmer Road, which has the postcode CM24.
The pictures on this post are from my recent visit and show what is possible from this location.
7 comments
There are some good locations north of the airport near Great Broxted where the planes fly over and noticing on the map there are footpaths which give you great views….on the Southside…the Flitch Way gives reasonable views if you can find a clearing away from the trees:)
on a recent trip to Dublin, leaving Stansted on Ryanair`s 6-30am flight, I have found the best spot is along the road by the perimeter fence, it took me 35 minutes to walk it after clearing the various security checks. to get to the spot (there is a long dirt mound, just level with the fence, so ok for photo`s), turn right out of the terminal, walk down the path ,then turn right,then basically, just keep following the perimeter fence .
Thanks Dean. Great tip!
Hi there could anyone tell me if they no of someone that could take a pic of a plane that my brother will be trying for his pilot license end of feb from Stansted?! I would pay for it? Thanks maxine
[…] Spotters will be required to wait until the aircraft land or depart in order to see them from the Belmer Road viewing location or one of the spotting […]
The full sat nav for Belmer Road is CM24 8UL and a tall ladder is required to avoid top of fence this is a great location.
Another location is https://www.google.com/maps/place/51%C2%B054'02.9%22N+0%C2%B015'27.5%22E/@51.9008056,0.2565507,357m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d51.9008044!4d0.2576451, which is best reached on foot. I’m not a spotter, but it’s pretty cool when they come thundering in right over your head from the northeast.