Scampton: Church Art and RAF History

Scampton brings together distinctive church architecture, the history of the Royal Air Force and the landscape of the Lincolnshire Edge. Its buildings and memorial sites offer different perspectives: the church features historic architectural elements and stained-glass windows, while RAF Scampton is associated with hangars dating from the 1930s and its role in the Second World War. The Lincolnshire Edge adds a landscape perspective to these themes.

RAF Scampton: Hangars and History

RAF Scampton station opened in the 1930s. Hangars 1–4 were built in 1936 and 1937 to designs by J. H. Binge of the Air Ministry’s Directorate of Works and Buildings. Their architecture consists of four large halls with continuous steel doors at both ends. This design gives the halls a clear structure conceived on a grand scale: the doors extend across the full height of each hall. The period in which they were built already anchors the buildings in the station’s early history.

The station’s military-historical significance extends beyond the time of its construction. During the Second World War, RAF Scampton was the base of 617 Squadron. In Scampton, the hangars built between 1936 and 1937 and the station’s later wartime history thus represent different chapters in the history of aviation. Those interested in architecture can admire the design of the halls; those wishing to explore the history of the place will find another specific point of reference in 617 Squadron.

St John the Baptist: Architecture and Stained-Glass Windows

The church of St John the Baptist features architectural elements from different centuries. Its bell tower dates from the 14th century, and the chancel arch was created in the 16th century. On the north side, an arcade with octagonal piers divides the church interior. The chancel arch and arcade give the architecture different forms: the arch draws the eye towards the chancel, while the many-sided piers set the rhythm of the arcade.

Two stained-glass windows by Claire Williamson are dedicated to the region’s RAF heritage and 617 Squadron. The church thus offers its own artistic response to the history of aviation. The architecture and stained-glass windows offer different ways to experience St John the Baptist: you can look out for the older architectural elements or consider the windows’ dedications in the context of the region’s RAF history. The church is open to visitors daily. If you are making a special trip to see it, check the opening information in advance.

War Graves and Remembrance

The Commonwealth war and service graves at Scampton Church are in two sections connected by a footpath. Those buried there include members of the Royal Air Force, the Royal Canadian Air Force, the Royal Australian Air Force, the Royal New Zealand Air Force and the German Luftwaffe. The range of countries represented makes clear that the memorial site includes people from several air forces. The church is also on the West Lindsey Aviation Heritage Trail.

Hundreds of visitors come each year to walk between the rows of headstones and read the names. This quiet, personal experience adds remembrance of individual people to the military-historical facts. The surviving remains of Scampton Hall also form part of the village’s historical character, including an ornate stone gateway dating from the early 17th century.

Landscape and Suitable Accommodation

Scampton lies on the Lincolnshire Edge, a limestone escarpment that stretches from Grantham to the Humber. This gives the landscape a place alongside church architecture, war graves and RAF history as another focus. The themes are distinct: architecture and stained-glass windows lead to architectural and art history, the hangars and 617 Squadron to aviation history, and the Lincolnshire Edge to the regional landscape.

If you are looking for a holiday rental in Scampton, this mix of themes can help guide your choice of destination. Consider whether historic architecture, remembrance of the air forces or the landscape should be the focus of your stay. This way, you can take into account the interests that bring you to Scampton when choosing accommodation, without reducing the different sights to a single theme.

Discover more destinations: Haxey, Hemingby, Horbling, Marston, Harlaxton, Wrawby, Wrangle, West Ashby.

Back to the regional travel guide: Lincolnshire.