UK plane graveyard full of abandoned jets in the middle of the countryside
Just outside of our nation's capital in an unexpected corner of Essex lies an abandoned aircraft graveyard that has captured the curiosity of urban explorers and aviation enthusiasts alike.
This eerie site is located between the Skylark Hotel and Southend Airport, just an hour's drive from the capital via the M25, and for those living in East or North London the journey is even shorter.
Unlike the bustling terminals and runways of nearby Southend Airport, the overgrown plot's silence is only broken by the whistling wind and scuttling sounds of local wildlife — mainly birds, small mammals and insects.
As reported by MyLondon, the aircraft graveyard is situated on land believed to be owned by the Skylark Hotel, with the site bordering the nearby airport.
Over the years vegetation has slowly overtaken the area, with weeds and shrubs creeping up around the fuselages of planes left to the elements. Some of these aircraft are thought to date back as far as the 1950s, adding a sense of history and nostalgia to the scene.
A look at Google Maps' satellite view of Aviation Way, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 6UN, reveals three planes resting in the graveyard — two larger aircraft, which resemble modern passenger jets, as well as a smaller plane that may have been used for private or charter flights.
According to discussions on aviation forums, the two larger planes could be former Royal Australian Air Force Hawker Siddeley HS 748s, which were originally designed and manufactured by Avro in the UK. However, there is no official confirmation of the exact models or the stories behind them.
The reasons these aircraft ended up in this quiet corner remain unclear. There is no visible evidence of crash landings, as the planes' bodies appear largely intact, though they show signs of rust and have been marked by graffiti over the years.
The site's history, including how and why these particular planes were abandoned, is likely to remain a mystery, as records are scarce and the aircraft themselves offer few clues.
Access to the plane graveyard is restricted. The area is fenced off with locked gates, preventing the public from getting close to the derelict planes. However, those interested can catch a glimpse of at least one of the larger aircraft from the car park of the Skylark Hotel, which sits adjacent to the site.
Visitors are strongly advised to respect private property boundaries and seek permission from landowners before attempting to get closer, as trespassing could lead to serious legal consequences.
Despite the barriers, the jet cemetery near Southend Airport continues to intrigue, with the sight of these silent, decaying giants offering a haunting reminder of the passage of time and the fate awaiting even the most advanced current machinery in decades to come.
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