​​RAF Beaulieu​

​​Access to the former airfield can be gained from numerous points within the vast network of publicly accessible paths that run throughout the New Forest National Park. The perimeter of the three old former runways can be walked via the old aprons, paths and tracks. Today, only a small part of one of the three former runways still exists, and is now used for flying model aircraft. The flying club pays an annual fee to the Forestry Commission to allow them to use the last surviving piece of the concrete runway area to the east of the airfield.

​The airfield was used by both the British Royal Air Force and the United States Army Air Forces. Eight Squadrons of the RAF operated from the airfield between 1942 and 1944.

​From March 1944, the USAAF operated from here with the 365th Fighter Group. This consisted of the 386th, 387th and 388th Fighter Squadrons with Republic P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft. They moved to Advance Landing Ground in Azeville, Normandy, on 21 June following the landings on 6 June. Between 1 and 21 July 1944, the 323rd Bombardment Group arrived. 453rd, 454th, 455th and 456th Bombardment Squadrons with Martin B-26 Marauders flew from the aerodrome. They then departed between 16 and 26 August to Lessay Airfield in France.

​The Women’s Auxiliary Air Force stationed a large number of women at the airfield, where they filled roles such as telegraphy, telephony and analysis of aerial photography.

​From December 1944, the airfield was used by the Airborne Forces Experimental Establishment for developing and testing new glider techniques. The airfield was handed back to the British Air Ministry in 1955 and remained under its control until 1959, when it once again became part of the New Forest Crown Lands, managed by the Forestry Commission.