Reel Locations UK

RAF Greenham Common

Address:

Greenham , Thatcham, RG19 6HN

Website: www.greenhamcommon.org.uk

History of RAF Greenham Common

RAF Greenham Common was a former airbase in Berkshire that played a major role from WWII through the Cold War. Built in 1941, it was used by the US Army Air Forces for troop carrier and fighter operations supporting missions such as Operation Torch and the D‑Day landings. After a brief post‑war closure, it reopened in 1951 as a key US Air Force Strategic Air Command base, with its runway expanded to handle heavy bombers. In the 1980s it became internationally known when nuclear Ground Launched Cruise Missiles were stationed there, sparking huge anti‑nuclear demonstrations and the creation of the long‑running Greenham Common Women’s Peace Camp, a defining symbol of Cold War protest culture. Following the INF Treaty in 1987, the missiles were removed, the USAF left in 1992, and the site was eventually returned to public use as Greenham & Crookham Commons, now a nature reserve and open space.

Timeline of Key Events

  • 1941-1942 – Construction: Airfield built as part of Britain’s rapid WWII expansion
  • 1942 – USAAF arrival: Handed to the US Army air Forces for troop carrier and fighter operations
  • 1943-1944 – major WWII missions: Used for Operation Torch (North Africa), D-Day airborne operations and European supply missions
  • 1946 – post-war closure: Returned to RAF control and shut down as wartime activity ended
  • 1951 – Cold War reopening: Reactivated as a US Air Force Strategic Air Command base; runway massively expanded
  • 1980 – GLCM decision: NATO selects Greenham Common to host nuclear Ground Launched Cruise Missiles
  • 1981 – Women’s Peace Camp founded: Anti-nuclear activists establish a permanent protest camp that becomes globally iconic
  • 1983 – missile deployment: First nuclear missiles arrive, intensifying protests and media attention
  • 1987 – INF Treaty: US and USSR agree to eliminate intermediate-range nuclear missiles
  • 1991 – missile removal: All GLCMs withdrawn from the site under the treaty
  • 1992 – USAF departure: The base closes permanently as a military installation
  • 1997 – return to public use: Land officially restored as Greenham & Crookham Commons, now a nature reserve

Visitor Information

Opening Times

  • RAF Greenham Common — Open 24 hours (accessible at all times)
  • Nature Reserve Area — Open 24 hours
  • Historical Landmark Zone — Open 24 hours

Tickets & Pricing

  • General Admission — Free
  • Parking — Free at main car parks
  • Walking Trails — Free
  • Historical Areas — Free access
  • Nature Reserve — Free

Top Things To Do

  • Explore the Runway: Walk the massive Cold War runway where B-52s and cruise missiles were once stationed.
  • Visit the Control Tower: See the restored 1950s control tower, now a museum with exhibitions and viewing deck.
  • Walk the Common: Enjoy open heathland trails, wildlife, and panoramic views across the former airbase.
  • Find the Bunkers: Discover the old missile shelters and blast-proof structures still visible around the site.
  • Explore the Peace Camp Area: Visit the historic women’s peace camp locations from the 1980s anti-nuclear protests.
  • Spot Wildlife: Look for deer, rare birds, and heathland species in the nature reserve zones.
  • Photography Spots: Capture dramatic Cold War relics, wide-open landscapes, and sunset views over the runway.
  • Cycle the Perimeter: Ride the old perimeter roads used by military patrols.
  • Visit Burys Bank: Explore the ancient Iron Age hillfort located on the edge of the common.
  • Picnic Areas: Relax in designated open spaces with views across the historic airfield.

Films Shot at RAF Greenham Common