In 1944, nearly three thousand American airmen called this Suffolk field home. This summer, you can walk the ground they walked.
The airfield at Lavenham sits on private farmland, but through the summer months FOLA offers guided access to Station 137 — taking small groups across the surviving landscape of the wartime base, with commentary on what stood where and the stories of the men who served here.
Walk Details
Walks run on the second Sunday of each month from June through to September, departing at 10:00am and finishing around 1:30pm. Groups are limited to 20 people and booking is essential — spaces fill quickly, particularly for the earlier dates in the season.
| When | Second Sunday of June, July, August & September |
| Time | 10:00am – 1:30pm |
| Meeting Point | Just north of Shop Hill, Alpheton, CO10 9BU |
| Cost | Adults £10 (+ £1 booking fee) • Accompanied under-12s free |
| Group Size | Maximum 20 places per walk |
| Dogs | Sorry — no dogs permitted on the airfield |
All proceeds go directly to the USAAF 487th Bomb Group Memorial Fund
What You Will See
The walk covers approximately two miles over tarmac and gravel tracks. Your guide will take you across the surviving sections of the wartime perimeter track, pointing out the original hardstandings where B-17 Flying Fortresses were parked and serviced. You will visit the site of the T2 hangars, the permanent memorial to the 487th Bomb Group, and the control tower — still standing after more than eighty years. Throughout the walk, the wartime layout of the base will be explained against the landscape you can see around you.
Practical Information
- Footwear: Sturdy shoes or walking boots are recommended — the terrain includes gravel tracks and uneven surfaces
- Clothing: Dress in layers. East Anglian weather is changeable — a lightweight waterproof is advisable even in summer
- Water: Please bring a drink. There are no refreshments available on the walk
- Toilet facilities: There are no toilet facilities at the airfield. Please plan accordingly before arrival
- Photography: You are very welcome to take photographs throughout the walk
- Accessibility: The walk is over firm surfaces but covers uneven ground. Please contact us before booking if you have any mobility concerns
- Weather cancellation: In the event of severe weather, FOLA will contact all ticket holders in advance. Refunds will be arranged where a walk must be cancelled
Getting There
The meeting point is just north of Shop Hill, Alpheton, Suffolk, CO10 9BU. Parking is available nearby. The nearest train station is Long Melford (approximately 5 miles). Please allow time to find the meeting point, particularly if visiting for the first time.