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Design © Stephen Robson and
Content © RAF Ibsley Airfield Heritage Trust 2024
Sembcorp Bournemouth Water (formerly Bournemouth and West Hampshire Water Plc) acquired the control tower at RAF Ibsley when the company bought some lakes at Ibsley for water storage in 1991.
The lakes were created as a consequence of extensive gravel extraction in this area of the Avon Valley that started in the late 1940s, and which are now collectively known as the Blashford Lakes. The airfield was dug out in the early 1970s. The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust manages the site today.
The design of the control tower at RAF Ibsley, a type 518/40 'Watch Office with Meteorological Section', is similar to some 50 others that were built by the Air Ministry during the rapid expansion in airfield construction before and during WW2. However, this one is believed to be the only example in the country whose floors and balcony were formed entirely from concrete, and survives unaltered.
The Control Tower
Flags of the Nations whose squadrons, service men and women have served at RAF Ibsley
Poland, Australia, Canada, Great Britain, RAF, United States of America, Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic)
Poland, Australia, Canada, Great Britain, RAF, United States of America, Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic)
Artist’s impression of how the restored tower could appear.
Courtesy of Chris Lowe
Courtesy of Chris Lowe