RAF Hooton Park on the Wirral Peninsular is a former Royal Air Force station. The airfield site is now managed by the Hooton Park Trust and The Naylor Trust. The hangars are home to The Griffin Trust and The Aeroplane Collection. The three historic World War 1 hangars are now Grade 11 listed buildings.
in 2022 The Hooton Park Trust re-launched its series of monthly public open days having completed extensive restoration works in one of its hangars. The hangar is now home to TAC – an aircraft restoration group, The Chester No.4 Tram restoration project and it also houses a collection of vintage aircraft, vehicles and bicycles. The hanger is also home to the CH21 Home Guard Living History Group, who host the NAAFI style cafe. They also stage events for the public telling the story of the hangars during WW11.
We went to one of these open days, which proved really popular with the public. There was a WW11 theme with music, re-enactors and Sir Winston Churchill himself delivering one of his stirring speeches. As well as the restored aircraft in the hangar, there was a range of vintage vehicles on display. There was also a number of car boot stalls selling what looked like the contents of workshops and garages with a display of nuts, bolts, tools and ephemera. What struck me about the event was the fact that there are a lot of enthusiasts about who love to tinker with all types of vintage conveyances. After viewing all these, we were ready for a sit down with a cup of tea and a cake, but the NAAFI queue was very long with no seats. So, we decided to leave and, on the journey home, found a nice tearoom with a selection of delicious cakes.
If this type of place is your cup of tea, The Hooton Park Trust has a Facebook page with details of events.
