Day Trip to Langham Dome

Despite the poor weather and a less than encouraging weather forecast for the return flight, 24 members and guests in six fixed wing aircraft and two helicopters gathered at Henry Labouchere’s Langham airfield on 4th July for a visit to the Langham Dome and for lunch at The Parlour Restaurant at Binham Priory.

If a prize were to be awarded for the longest distance flown in the most interesting aeroplane it would go to David Cyster and Richard Menage who arrived in Richard’s open cockpit FW44J Stieglitz from Bagby in North Yorkshire, but other members also travelled long distances from the West Country and Sussex. Sadly, the less than perfect weather caused the cancellation of three aircraft with five individuals missing a terrific day out. The weather also prevented Nick Parkhouse’s son Tom from flying Nick’s Tiger Moth home from Langham where it had been undergoing its annual maintenance.

There were no buses on this trip, and the real icing on the cake was transportation in three vintage Rolls-Royce motor cars generously provided by Norfolk member Tom Cook. His cavalcade of fabulous cars was led by Henry Labouchere in his bright blue Austin Seven, and other vehicles used to transport the visitors included an E-type Jag and Morris Minor!

The first stop was to the Langham Dome, on the former RAF Langham airfield which was active for 18 years playing a key role in both World War II and the Cold War. The Dome is one of only six remaining wartime gunnery centres which taught trainees how to shoot down enemy aircraft successfully. However, the Langham Dome is the only one open to the public as a museum and it offers a unique and fascinating opportunity to journey back in time and experience what life was like for those who served at RAF Langham.



The next stop was to The Parlour restaurant in the grounds of Binham Priory which is among the most complete and impressive monastic ruins in Norfolk. This Benedictine Priory was founded in 1091 by Peter des Veloines, a nephew of William the Conqueror. The Nave of the Priory Church with its splendid 13th century West front and fine tiers of Norman arches is now the Parish Church and displays the former rood screen with mediaeval saints overpainted with Protestant texts. The extensive ruins beyond it emphasised the original size of the Monastery.

Lunch in The Parlour was a delight, with members, their guests, and the drivers sitting down at a long refectory table to enjoy an absolutely delicious meal, with accolades about the quality of the food flying thick and fast. For any members not on this trip the Dome, Binham Priory, and the The Parlour are “musts” to visit when in North Norfolk.

As always, time passed by all too quickly and with pilots eager to get home before the forecast heavy rain arrived, farewells were quickly said and the party dispersed. Thanks were given to Henry Labouchere and Terry Holloway for organising the event, with particularly huge thanks given to Henry for his considerable hospitality at his wonderful airfield.