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City & Village Tours: 0845 812 5000
about the impact of the Great War on families living
in this ancient and attractive town. You can, if you
prefer, opt to pre-book a group pub lunch for your
group, let us know when you book.
Stow Maries is unique: of the 250 aerodromes built
during the First World War only ten survive in any
form and Stow Maries is the only one to have
remained virtually untouched for the past 100 years.
There are 24 original Grade II* listed Royal Flying
Corps buildings from the officers mess to the pilots’
ready room, radio room, ambulance station. The
dangers faced by these young men is illustrated by
the presence of the morgue, the collision between the
old and new technology is illustrated by the presence
in this brave new world of aviation of a blacksmiths.
At the end of the war the pilots moved to Biggin Hill
and the site returned to agricultural use. The ghosts
of the
Men With Splendid Hearts
were silent until
entrepreneur Russell Savory (also a Splendid Heart!)
moved his hand built sports car business onto this
atmospheric Great War site and began the restoration
that continues today with lottery funding and – you!
Because if you join us for this new day you will be
among the first groups to visit Stow Maries and help
this key piece of Great War history survive and thrive
for our grandchildren to know.
And please don’t go thinking this is just for the men!
This is a very human story: of the 22 year old war
hero pilot put in charge of 37 Squadron RFC (Home
Defence), of the equally young men under his
command risking their lives in impossibly frail aircraft
(replicas of which you will see today) and of the
women stationed here in support roles and housed in
huts with windows way off the ground to protect their
modesty! And who knows if the wind is in the right
direction we might even be lucky enough to see an
early plane in action. This is also an important wildlife
site so look out for the
teatime barn owl
and maybe
even take a stroll through the rather nostalgic flower
meadow before gathering in the men’s Mess Hall for
tea and cake before heading home at 4.45pm.
The tour is available Monday to Saturday throughout
the year from June 2014 and includes morning coffee
with biscuits, a donation to Great Leighs Church,
entrance to Stow Maries Aerodrome and tea and cake.
Adults & Seniors: £24.00
You don't need to walk further than 400
metres (440 yards) during this day trip -
although individuals can add a bit more of
a walk through the meadow at Stow Maries
if they want to on the day.
Coach Mileage: 40
You can buy beautiful Russell Savory photographs like this at Stow Maries
