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Guidance For Airfield Visitors
We welcome visitors to the club to come and watch or participate in the activities on the airfield.
Being an active airfield, safety as our number one priority. When on-site we ask you to follow our guidance and instruction.
If you have any questions or concerns about visiting an active airfield please contact:
Office Telephone: 01285 702100
Control Tower (members' club house): 01285 702101
Arriving by Air? Pilot Briefings Here
Please take time to read these instructions and if you are unsure about anything then please ask. Please print this page and the attached map. They will be useful when you come to the airfield.
Arrival at the Airfield
For all visitors to the club, you will need to arrive at the security gate on the East side of the airfield (the access road is off the A419 road junction next to Jolly Nice farm shop) - use the postcode GL6 8HX in your satnav. Follow the road to the airfield gates, where you will need to push the call button on the pinpad to ask security to let you onto the airfield. Please state you are visiting Cotswold Gliding Club.
Once on the airfield, follow the signs, keeping to the perimeter road and off the grass. Make your way either to the launch point, if we are flying, or otherwise to the control tower (see map opposite). The launch point is essentially a chequered red and white trailer, with cars parked nearby. If you can't see the trailer, turn left and follow the perimeter road (remembering to keep off the grass) round the airfield, where eventually you will spot the trailer. When you get there, please speak to any club member who will be able to help you.
Click on map for full size view Click Here for pdf download
Aston Down is an Active Airfield - Watch Out for Aircraft
It is vitally important to keep to the tarmac perimeter roads, and off the grass and runways. Keep an eye out for landing aircraft, stopping on the perimeter track if you need to keep clear. Keep a good lookout at all times. The airfield speed limit is 30MPH.
Children, Animals and Aeroplanes
Aeroplanes and Gliders are really interesting to children and animals alike. However, it is really important to keep them under close supervision at all times, and not to let them stray into the operational landing and take-off areas. Aeroplanes also have an additional hazard - propellers. Do not approach the propellers of powered aircraft even when the aircraft engine is stationary.
Watch Out for Winch Cables
One of our methods for getting gliders into the air is winching. To do this, a cable is stretched from one end of the active runway to the other. Whilst it is a very safe method of getting gliders into the air, we have to ensure that no-one goes near the cables while they are on the ground, as they could pose a hazard during operation. We therefore ask that you do not walk or drive near the cables or on the runways.
Lastly, you need to be aware that most motor insurance policies do not cover vehicles 'air side' when on an airfield. Visitors should be extra cautious when driving on the airfield, as the club cannot accept responsibility for any accident or incident involving visitors' motor vehicles.
Directions to the Airfield
If you are using sat nav please use the postcode GL6 8HX to get to the East entrance gate. This is a different postcode to the one for our postal address. Please note that there is no access to the airfield from the West side even though navigation apps might incorrectly direct you that way.
We're easy to find, on the A419, midway between Stroud and Cirencester in Gloucestershire. From most areas of the country that means approaching from Junction 15 of the M4 south-east of Swindon and then travelling via Cirencester (view on Google Maps), or from Junction 13 of the M5, via Stroud (view on Google Maps). If you are coming from the south the best way is from Junction 18 of the M4 (map).
Follow the road to the airfield where you will need to push the call button on the gate pinpad to ask security to let you onto the airfield. Please state you are visiting Cotswold Gliding Club.
If you are using sat nav please use the postcode GL6 8HX to get to the entrance gate. This is a different postcode to the one for our postal address. Please note that there is no access to the airfield from the western side even though navigation apps might incorrectly direct you that way.
We're easy to find, on the A419, midway between Stroud and Cirencester in Gloucestershire. From most areas of the country that means approaching from Junction 15 of the M4 south-east of Swindon and then travelling via Cirencester (view on Google Maps), or from Junction 13 of the M5, via Stroud (view on Google Maps). If you are coming from the south the best way is from Junction 18 of the M4 (map).
The airfield entrance gate is remotely operated. To gain access to the airfield press the call button on the keypad to speak to security. Tell them you are visiting the gliding club and they will let you in.
The airfield entrance gate is remotely operated. To gain access to the airfield press the call button on the keypad to speak to security. Tell them you are visiting the gliding club and they will let you in. Turn right to follow the perimeter road to the clubhouse.
Follow the signs for Stroud (A419). After about 6 miles you will come to the "Jolly Nice" cafe/shop (a former petrol station). Just after the Jolly Nice is a cross roads with a small slip road on the left. Take this slip road and go straight on down a lane. This lane is sign-posted Cotswold Gliding Club and leads on to the airfield.
Follow the signs for Cirencester (A419). On leaving Stroud you drive along a valley and after about 5 miles the road goes up a long hill. At the top of the hill there is a roundabout where you take the first exit. You will then see Aston Down airfield on your right. Continue past the airfield and turn right at a crossroads just before the "Jolly Nice" cafe/shop (a former petrol station). Turn immediately right again. This lane is sign-posted Cotswold Gliding Club and leads on to the airfield.
At the mini roundabout on the A46 in the centre of Nailsworth take the road sign-posted Minchinhampton. This is a right turn if you have come from the south. After 200m you go over a cattle grid and follow the road round to the right. Cows and horses roam Minchinhampton common and they have no road sense so take care. The road goes up a steep hill with several hairpin bends. This hill is passable with care when towing a glider trailer.
At the top of the hill carry on over Minchinhampton common until you get to a T junction. The signpost here is a local landmark called Tom Long's Post. Turn right and follow this road for about 3 miles until you get to a roundabout where you take the second exit. You will then see Aston Down Airfield on your right.
Continue past the airfield and turn right at a crossroads just before the "Jolly Nice" cafe/shop (a former petrol station). Turn immediately right again. This lane is sign-posted Cotswold Gliding Club and leads on to the airfield.
Aston Down is not well served by public transport. The most convenient railway station is Stroud, on the line between Swindon and Gloucester/Cheltenham. There are some direct services from London but otherwise you will have to change at Swindon. Taxis are usually available in Stroud which is about 6 miles from the airfield.
Alternatively, if you have a bicycle you can get off at Kemble and follow this 6 mile route through countryside to the airfield.
