Latest news with #SkylarkHotel
Daily Mail
11-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Inside the UK's eerie abandoned plane graveyard and the bizarre reason we know nothing about it
Where do planes go to die? There's many different answers; some are deconstructed, others become showpieces for businesses or are snapped up by private buyers - and sometimes, they're just left to, well, rot. One such 'airport boneyard' lies surprisingly close to a major London hub, an overgrown parcel of land that houses a trio of planes that have been grounded by age. Close to London Southend airport, next to the Skylark Hotel, is a little known plane graveyard that's currently home to aircraft that are believed to date back as far as the 1950s, according to Essex Live. The Google Maps' satellite view of Aviation Way, Southend-on-Sea - postcode SS2 6UN - shows the site as its looked in recent years, with Mother Nature slowly claiming back the land and covering the former flyers in moss, ivy and weeds. While it's not clear exactly why the planes - believed to be two larger aircraft and one smaller - are there, and their future, there are clues to their past. The publication suggests that one of the more sizeable aircraft could be an ex-RAAF Hawker Siddeley HS 748's, which is a homegrown plane, having been built by British company Avro. While it's not recommended that aviation enthusiasts embark on a journey to see the planes; they're firmly behind lock and key, it is possible to get a glimpse of them from the car park of the Skylark hotel. Some graffiti artists have left their mark on the rusting aircraft though; with parts of the planes adorned with spray can 'tags'. All is not lost for plane spotters looking to fully immerse in a vintage plane experience, however. A new Airbnb glamping pod lets guests check in and stay inside an aircraft that belongs to yesteryear. A 1970s private jet has been lovingly converted - after seven months of toil and an outlay of £90,000 - into a cosy self-catering let, where you can explore the cockpit at leisure. The vintage 1970s Hawker - now known as Alaya Airways - is in Dolgellau in Gwynedd, Wales and has only been available to rent for less than a month but is already being snapped up by tourists seeking a mile-high stay that never leaves the ground. Its owner Tamir Ali, 38, snapped up the vintage plane in December 2023 and decided to set about turning it into a two-bed room stay, with guests paying £170 a night. Intrigued by its history as the staff plane of an oil company, and in use for much of the 70s and 80s, he's strived to preserve as many original features as possible, while also ensuring all the things you'd expect from a self-catering stay are there. The original body of the plane is now a cosy seating and bedroom, with a cabin tacked on the back of the aircraft housing a double bed There's a kitchen with all mod cons, bathroom with shower and even space to enjoy a glass of fizz in a dedicated outdoor area - and its pet friendly to boot. With a 70 per cent occupancy rate already, the property looks set to be booked up for the summer and is described as the perfect stay for families. Adding in a double bedroom, via a cosy cabin, plus wood floors and modern electrics ensures the plane is a comfy retreat. Tamir, who's based in Leicester, said: 'It's awesome - when people walk in they say it's much bigger than it seems on the outside. 'It's almost like you're in a normal home. It's a unique experience, not many people get to sit in the cockpit of a 70's private jet.' The plane enthusiast describes the plane when he bought it, around 35 years after it was retired, as 'worse for wear' but with plenty of potential: 'There was lots of mould and moss inside - but I immediately envisioned what I wanted it to be.' He said building the plane back up and giving it new life has made for some interesting encounters, saying: 'I've always worked with eccentric people - people who deal with the weird and wonderful.
Daily Mirror
05-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
UK plane graveyard full of abandoned jets in the middle of the countryside
Over the years vegetation has overtaken the jet cemetery, with weeds and shrubs creeping up around the fuselages of planes abandoned to the elements 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.
Scottish Sun
29-04-2025
- Scottish Sun
Inside Britain's eerie abandoned plane graveyard where forgotten shells of 1950s aircraft are left to rot
The decaying jets can be seen on Google Earth GROUNDED Inside Britain's eerie abandoned plane graveyard where forgotten shells of 1950s aircraft are left to rot A CREEPY aeroplane graveyard where the shells of 75-year-old jets have been left to decay has been discovered. The three colossal passenger planes have been almost entirely engulfed by vegetation and the windows used by hundreds of pilots to navigate the skies are now boarded up. Advertisement 6 The aeroplane graveyard contains shells of 75-year-old jets Credit: Alamy 6 The three colossal passenger planes have been almost entirely engulfed by vegetation Credit: Alamy 6 The site is a few hundred metres from London Southend Airport Credit: Alamy The site is just a few hundred metres from London Southend Airport, where millions of passengers jet off on their holidays every year. The abandoned vessels are located on the grounds of the Skylark Hotel, whose land borders the airport. It is believed that one of the long-grounded planes dates back to the 1950s. Unable to be viewed from public roads, urban explorers have shared never-before-seen images and footage from the site. Advertisement According to Google Earth, there are two larger planes similar to the ones seen in our skies today, and a smaller jet. The smaller of the three looks like a private plane and was likely once a luxury mode of transportation. After spotting a Facebook post about the eerie site, aviation enthusiasts Andrew Kirkland, Steve Page, and Mike Griffiths decided to investigate. They visited the Skylark Hotel and were given access to the site, where they filmed their discovery with a GoPro. Advertisement Andrew said: "We were both excited and nervous all at the same time. "As we approached the planes that were covered in overgrowth, it gave me the feeling of a place long forgotten and no longer cared about." Classic car graveyard discovered in middle of nowhere after lotto winner left Impalas and Pontiacs to rot for 30 years As well as the metal skeletons, the space was littered with old TV sets, broken garden furniture and household rubbish. Paul Edwards and his partner, Jacqui Allen-Rowberry, also visited the discarded jets. Advertisement They didn't want to break into the site and be caught trespassing, so they also asked the hotel if they could see the planes. Paul told EssexLive that the experience was "surreal". He was told by Skylark staff not to get too close, so they viewed the airliners from behind a padlocked gate. "It was a great experience. The day we went was quite grey and cloudy but it added to the effect," he said after snapping arty shots on his Canon 5D. Advertisement The site has sparked huge interest amongst the plane spotting community and several members on the Fighter Control forum tried to identify the models. One post suggested the two larger planes are former Royal Australian Air Force Hawker Siddeley HS 784s. These were originally designed and produced by Arvo, a British aircraft manufacturer. This has not been officially confirmed. Advertisement The history of the planes may remain a mystery as they have been so badly damaged from rust and vandals. The area around the aircraft is secured by locked gates and fences, but they can be seen from the hotel's car park. It is vital to always seek permission from the landowner before entering a private area. You can spot the three planes on Google Maps' satellite view at Aviation Way, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 6UN. Advertisement Do you know more? Email 6 The site has sparked huge interest amongst the plane spotting community Credit: Alamy 6 The space is also littered with old TV sets, broken garden furniture and household rubbish Credit: Alamy 6 The abandoned vessels are located on the grounds of the Skylark Hotel Credit: Alamy
The Sun
29-04-2025
- The Sun
Inside Britain's eerie abandoned plane graveyard where forgotten shells of 1950s aircraft are left to rot
A CREEPY aeroplane graveyard where the shells of 75-year-old jets have been left to decay has been discovered. The three colossal passenger planes have been almost entirely engulfed by vegetation and the windows used by hundreds of pilots to navigate the skies are now boarded up. 6 6 6 The site is just a few hundred metres from London Southend Airport, where millions of passengers jet off on their holidays every year. The abandoned vessels are located on the grounds of the Skylark Hotel, whose land borders the airport. It is believed that one of the long-grounded planes dates back to the 1950s. Unable to be viewed from public roads, urban explorers have shared never-before-seen images and footage from the site. According to Google Earth, there are two larger planes similar to the ones seen in our skies today, and a smaller jet. The smaller of the three looks like a private plane and was likely once a luxury mode of transportation. After spotting a Facebook post about the eerie site, aviation enthusiasts Andrew Kirkland, Steve Page, and Mike Griffiths decided to investigate. They visited the Skylark Hotel and were given access to the site, where they filmed their discovery with a GoPro. Andrew said: "We were both excited and nervous all at the same time. "As we approached the planes that were covered in overgrowth, it gave me the feeling of a place long forgotten and no longer cared about." Classic car graveyard discovered in middle of nowhere after lotto winner left Impalas and Pontiacs to rot for 30 years As well as the metal skeletons, the space was littered with old TV sets, broken garden furniture and household rubbish. Paul Edwards and his partner, Jacqui Allen-Rowberry, also visited the discarded jets. They didn't want to break into the site and be caught trespassing, so they also asked the hotel if they could see the planes. Paul told EssexLive that the experience was "surreal". He was told by Skylark staff not to get too close, so they viewed the airliners from behind a padlocked gate. "It was a great experience. The day we went was quite grey and cloudy but it added to the effect," he said after snapping arty shots on his Canon 5D. The site has sparked huge interest amongst the plane spotting community and several members on the Fighter Control forum tried to identify the models. One post suggested the two larger planes are former Royal Australian Air Force Hawker Siddeley HS 784s. These were originally designed and produced by Arvo, a British aircraft manufacturer. This has not been officially confirmed. The history of the planes may remain a mystery as they have been so badly damaged from rust and vandals. The area around the aircraft is secured by locked gates and fences, but they can be seen from the hotel's car park. It is vital to always seek permission from the landowner before entering a private area. You can spot the three planes on Google Maps' satellite view at Aviation Way, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 6UN. Do you know more? Email 6 6 6
The Irish Sun
29-04-2025
- The Irish Sun
Inside Britain's eerie abandoned plane graveyard where forgotten shells of 1950s aircraft are left to rot
A CREEPY aeroplane graveyard where the shells of 75-year-old jets have been left to decay has been discovered. The three colossal passenger planes have been almost entirely engulfed by vegetation and the windows used by hundreds of pilots to navigate the skies are now boarded up. 6 The aeroplane graveyard contains shells of 75-year-old jets Credit: Alamy 6 The three colossal passenger planes have been almost entirely engulfed by vegetation Credit: Alamy 6 The site is a few hundred metres from London Southend Airport Credit: Alamy The site is just a few hundred metres from The abandoned vessels are located on the grounds of the Skylark Hotel, whose land borders the airport. It is believed that one of the long-grounded planes dates back to the 1950s. Unable to be viewed from public roads, urban explorers have shared never-before-seen images and footage from the site. read more on air travel According to The smaller of the three looks like a private plane and was likely once a luxury mode of transportation. After spotting a Facebook post about the eerie site, aviation enthusiasts Andrew Kirkland, Steve Page, and Mike Griffiths decided to investigate. They visited the Skylark Hotel and were given access to the site, where they filmed their discovery with a GoPro. Most read in News Travel Andrew said: "We were both excited and nervous all at the same time. "As we approached the planes that were covered in overgrowth, it gave me the feeling of a place long forgotten and no longer cared about." Classic car graveyard discovered in middle of nowhere after lotto winner left Impalas and Pontiacs to rot for 30 years As well as the metal skeletons, the space was littered with old TV sets, broken garden furniture and household rubbish. Paul Edwards and his partner, Jacqui Allen-Rowberry, also visited the discarded jets. They didn't want to break into the site and be caught trespassing, so they also asked the hotel if they could see the planes. Paul told He was told by Skylark staff not to get too close, so they viewed the airliners from behind a padlocked gate. "It was a great experience. The day we went was quite grey and cloudy but it added to the effect," he said after snapping arty shots on his Canon 5D. The site has sparked huge interest amongst the plane spotting community and several members on the Fighter Control forum tried to identify the models . One post suggested the two larger planes are former Royal Australian Air Force Hawker Siddeley HS 784s. These were originally designed and produced by Arvo, a British aircraft manufacturer. This has not been officially confirmed. The history of the planes may remain a mystery as they have been so badly damaged from rust and vandals. The area around the aircraft is secured by locked gates and fences, but they can be seen from the hotel's car park. It is vital to always seek permission from the landowner before entering a private area. You can spot the three planes on Google Maps' satellite view at Aviation Way, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 6UN. Do you know more? Email 6 The site has sparked huge interest amongst the plane spotting community Credit: Alamy 6 The space is also littered with old TV sets, broken garden furniture and household rubbish Credit: Alamy 6 The abandoned vessels are located on the grounds of the Skylark Hotel Credit: Alamy
