General Information

A group of local businessmen managed to raise £6,000 through public subscriptions to inaugurate a flying club at Filton Aerodrome, which became the birthplace of Concorde.

These pioneers had attracted so much interest in their project that they became more ambitious and decided to develop a fully-fledged airport for Bristol. An area of farmland at Whitchurch was bought and the new airport began.

Official opening of Bristol Airport in May by HRH Prince George. During this period Bristol was only the third civil airport in the country.

Whitchurch developed slowly with passenger numbers of 935 in 1930 increasing to 4,000 by 1939. With the outbreak of the war the airport was requisitioned by the Air Ministry and had the distinction of being the only civil airport in operation in the U.K. Imperial Airways, KLM and others were transferred from London's Croydon Airport to Whitchurch. Flights were operated to Lisbon with links to the United States via the Azores. The comings and goings of statesmen, spies, film stars and other were shrouded in secrecy, but Winston Churchill and Amy Johnson certainly used the Airport during this period.

Many discussions take place on the fate of Whitchuch following the war. The general view is that it cannot be developed for post war use and that its future is limited.

Bristol wins its ten-year battle for a new City airport. Lulsgate Bottom Airfield, which had been in use as a R.A.F airfield for 10 years is purchased for £55,000 by the Bristol Corporation. It is announced that Bristol's new aerodrome will officially be known as "Bristol (Lulsgate) Airport". Bristol Airport Committee meets at the aerodrome to visualise the future Bristol Airport.

• Telephone: 0870 12 12 747
• IATA Code: BRS

Travel Directions

By Car
Bristol airport is 9 miles outside the city centre, just off the A38. From London take the M4 until Junction 19, then take the M32 Southbound, this turns into the A38. From the North take the M5 until Junction 18, then the A4 towards Bath taking the A38 turn off. From the South take M5 north until Junction 22, then take the A38 towards Bristol and follow signs for the airport. Short and long term parking is available. Car hire is available from the airport.

By Train
The nearest station is Bristol Temple Meads in Bristol town centre. Regular trains run throughout the week from Bristol Temple Meads station to London, Swindon, Cardiff, Bath and Exeter. From the station the Bristol International Flyer bus runs a non-stop service to and from the airport, the journey takes about 25 minutes.

By Bus
The First Badgerline bus number 121 runs between Bristol, Weston Super Mare and the airport, the bus station is just outside the short stay car park. Between 0530 and 2230 the Bristol International Flyer bus runs avery half an hour between Bristol Temple Meads, Bristol Bus station, Bedminster, Bridgewater Road and the airport. The adult fare (at time of writing) is £6 from the bus or train station. Tickets can be bought on board or in advance through National Express, call 08705 808080 for more details. National Express runs coaches to and from the sirport from the rest of the UK.