Clapham: Church, woodland and aviation history

Clapham combines historic buildings with an ancient woodland of high biodiversity value. It also has an aviation history at Twinwood: the Twinwood Aviation Museum is located near Clapham. If you are looking for a holiday rental in Clapham, you can plan your trip around your interests – such as church architecture, nature or the dates of the Twinwood Festival.

Church and architectural history

The architectural history of the Church of St Thomas of Canterbury can be read in layers at its west tower: the tower is Saxon, while the upper storey above it is Norman. The Norman chancel arch also marks the transition from the nave to the chancel, drawing the eye from the tower’s exterior features to a detail of the interior architecture. Clapham Parish Church is listed as a Grade I building. Clapham Park Farmhouse offers a different historical connection: in 1985, English Heritage listed it as a Grade II building of special interest. These are different starting points for an architectural comparison: at the church, the focus is on architectural features and building phases; at the farmhouse, on its dated listing.

Woodland and paths

Clapham Park Wood is a County Wildlife Site and also an ancient woodland with high biodiversity value. As a travel interest, the woodland adds a distinct focus on nature to the area’s architectural heritage.

The best way to reach Clapham Parkwood is via Hawk Drive, Carriage Drive or Woodlands Park; check local conditions before setting off. Another named route runs along The Ford: the bridleway goes through the river and continues to Bromham.

Twinwood: aviation and history

The Twinwood Aviation Museum is located near Clapham on the site of the former RAF Twinwood Farm night-fighter training station from the Second World War. Its exhibitions cover the RAF and the 8th USAAF in connection with the First and Second World Wars. The Twinwood Museum features a restored control room overlooking the airfield, RAF exhibitions, an aviation art exhibition, and a room about Glenn Miller and his music. The Glenn Miller Museum is housed in the Watch Office (control tower) at Twinwood Airfield. The restored control tower opened to the public in 2002. The former training station dates from the Second World War; the exhibitions also cover the First World War.

The Twinwood Festival takes place at the airfield every August bank holiday weekend. Check the official event calendar for the exact dates of your trip. Unlike the museum, the festival is tied to a specific weekend. If you are travelling for the festival, its date should be confirmed first; checking the dates addresses a different planning question from choosing which exhibitions to visit.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Flitwick, Clophill, Aspley Guise, Caddington, Barton-le-Clay, Milton Ernest, Kensworth, Stagsden.

For the main travel overview: Bedfordshire.