Best Plane Spotting Locations in the UK 2025

If you’re anything like me, there’s nothing better than spending a few hours by the fence watching arrivals roll in. The Boeing 777 power ups, the smell of jet fuel, and that perfect moment when you catch a clean shot of an A350 on short final — that’s our kind of day out. Over the years I’ve hopped around quite a few of the UK’s best spotting spots, from the big hubs, such as Heathrow, to a few quieter gems. I thought it was about time I shared a proper round-up for anyone planning their next trip out with the camera and scanner.

Heathrow Airport – Myrtle Avenue & Hatton Cross

Let’s start with the obvious one. Heathrow is basically our Mecca. Myrtle Avenue is the classic. It's little park right under the approach to 27L, just off Hatton Cross Tube. You can almost feel the thrust as heavies come in over your head, and the view’s perfect for those low-angle landing shots.

It gets busy on weekends, especially when there’s something rare coming in, but that’s half the fun. Grab a coffee from the nearby café, chat with other spotters, and keep an eye on the light.

Manchester Airport – The Runway Visitor Park

Manchester’s done a cracking job for us lot. The Runway Visitor Park is properly set up for spotters, with raised mounds overlooking both runways and plenty of space for tripods. You can’t really beat sitting there with a brew, watching a Qatar A350 rotate right in front of you.

If you haven’t already, take the Concorde tour while you’re there. G-BOAC’s on display and still looks stunning — even after all these years. Add in the café, playground, and usually a few other parked aircraft, and it’s easy to spend an entire day here.

Birmingham Airport – Sheldon Country Park

Now this one’s a bit of an underrated gem. Sheldon Country Park backs right onto the runway and gives great views of take-offs and landings, without the crowds you get at the bigger airports. You’ll see a good mix — Ryanair, TUI, Emirates — and it’s one of the more relaxed spots to hang around.

There’s plenty of green space too, so if you’re making a day of it, pack some lunch and chill between arrivals.

East Midlands Airport – Aeropark & Castle Donington

If you’re into cargo ops, this is your place. East Midlands is DHL territory, with freight flights buzzing in at all hours. The Aeropark is brilliant — it doubles as a museum and has great views across the runway. You can get really close to the action, and the staff are spotter-friendly.

For something a bit different, head towards Castle Donington at night. When those cargo heavies come in under the lights, it’s spot-on for photos.

Edinburgh Airport – Ingliston Market Car Park

Scotland’s best viewing point has to be Ingliston Market by Edinburgh Airport. You’re right under the approach for Runway 24, and the Pentland Hills make a cracking backdrop for your shots. The light’s usually decent, and if you time it right you’ll catch some interesting European traffic mixed with domestic flights.

It’s not the busiest airport, so check the schedule before you head out, but it’s a great spot for a relaxed afternoon.

Gatwick Airport – Lowfield Heath & South Terminal Car Park

Gatwick offers a couple of nice options. Lowfield Heath Recreation Ground is ideal if you want those touchdown shots on 26L — there’s loads of space and you’ll usually find a few familiar faces there. If you fancy a higher view, the South Terminal car park gives you a good look at the apron and taxiways for all the ground action.

Bonus: Smaller Airfields Worth a Look

Don’t ignore the smaller fields — there’s loads of variety. Southend, Luton, and Prestwick can all be surprisingly active, especially with bizjets and training flights. You might not get as many wide-bodies, but you’ll often come away with something interesting on the logbook.

A Few Spotting Tips

• Check the airport’s spotting rules first — most UK airports are friendly, but some have restricted spots.

• Bring a scanner or use Flightradar24 to track what’s inbound.

• Golden hour is your best friend — early morning or late afternoon gives you that soft, warm light.

• And obviously, pack for the weather — this is the UK, after all.

Feel free to share you spotting locations by commenting below.