Visited on my own. I’ve been to RAF Kenley a few times as fairly local but not been to look round the officers mess.
I noticed there’s another large building a bit further along the airfield , does anyone know if it’s doable? I had to leave as I felt unwell so didn’t investigate.
Had a little trouble getting in at the fence but soon found a makeshift ladder. Nice to have a wander around an decided on tripod photography instead of point and shoot which I usually do. There’s an old house just off the track taking you up to the officers mess so had a nosey at that too.
whilst I was in the building a Spitfire and another aircraft flew over on a Battle of Britian fly past, I couldn’t get out quick enough to see it but the sudden roar scared the shit out of me. Plenty of pigeons for more scares and a bloody pheasant running out a bush.
I didn’t feel very well when I was there so I didn’t venture into the burnt out bit so I’d like to go back and have another look around but not on my own, would like to venture further with someone with me.
History -
Built in 1932 to a design by the Air Ministry's Directorate of Works and Buildings, RAF Kenley's Officers' Mess was accorded Grade II listed status in 2001. According to Historic England the quality of the building's architecture reflects the influence of the Royal Arts Commission (and possibly Edward Lutyens among others) who commented on the emerging design in 1932.
Although damaged during a Luftwaffe bombing raid on 18 August 1940, it continued in use during the Second World War. RAF Kenley post-war took on a non-flying dormitory role for MOD personnel who were mostly employed elsewhere. The Officer's Mess closed on 1 March 1974.
In 1979 the MOD sold the building to the Department for Trade and Industry (DTI) who converted it into a radio technology laboratory and for some years it was home to the Radio Technology & Compatibility Group as the area had low electrical interference. The Mess building and surrounding land was sold on by Ofcom, in December 2005, to a residential building developer, Comer Group. Two subsequent applications by Fieldgrange Properties Ltd. in 2011 and 2015 to convert the building into private accommodation have failed to obtain planning permission and its future remains uncertain as at October 2018.
The now derelict building was badly damaged after an alleged arson attack in February 2016.
I noticed there’s another large building a bit further along the airfield , does anyone know if it’s doable? I had to leave as I felt unwell so didn’t investigate.
Had a little trouble getting in at the fence but soon found a makeshift ladder. Nice to have a wander around an decided on tripod photography instead of point and shoot which I usually do. There’s an old house just off the track taking you up to the officers mess so had a nosey at that too.
whilst I was in the building a Spitfire and another aircraft flew over on a Battle of Britian fly past, I couldn’t get out quick enough to see it but the sudden roar scared the shit out of me. Plenty of pigeons for more scares and a bloody pheasant running out a bush.
I didn’t feel very well when I was there so I didn’t venture into the burnt out bit so I’d like to go back and have another look around but not on my own, would like to venture further with someone with me.
History -
Built in 1932 to a design by the Air Ministry's Directorate of Works and Buildings, RAF Kenley's Officers' Mess was accorded Grade II listed status in 2001. According to Historic England the quality of the building's architecture reflects the influence of the Royal Arts Commission (and possibly Edward Lutyens among others) who commented on the emerging design in 1932.
Although damaged during a Luftwaffe bombing raid on 18 August 1940, it continued in use during the Second World War. RAF Kenley post-war took on a non-flying dormitory role for MOD personnel who were mostly employed elsewhere. The Officer's Mess closed on 1 March 1974.
In 1979 the MOD sold the building to the Department for Trade and Industry (DTI) who converted it into a radio technology laboratory and for some years it was home to the Radio Technology & Compatibility Group as the area had low electrical interference. The Mess building and surrounding land was sold on by Ofcom, in December 2005, to a residential building developer, Comer Group. Two subsequent applications by Fieldgrange Properties Ltd. in 2011 and 2015 to convert the building into private accommodation have failed to obtain planning permission and its future remains uncertain as at October 2018.
The now derelict building was badly damaged after an alleged arson attack in February 2016.
