Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 18 minutes ago
In this video, I am down in Essex at Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome for a vintage First World War era camp with my friend Ian.
Great War period vehicles, a full field kitchen and campaign camp equipment, authentic World War One food and a thorough explore of a unique Great War aerodrome.
Stow Maries Aerodrome is the only surviving First World War Royal Flying Corps airfield in Europe that boasts such a large number of original un-altered buildings. It was first opened in 1916 as an intercepter fighter base and was a key part of the eastern defences protecting London from Zeppelin and Gotha bomber attacks. As the Great War came to an end in 1918, the base was decommissioned and the site returned to farming until it was sold in 2010 and then finally acquired by the Stow Maries Great War Areodrome charitable trust in 2013. Since then huge amounts of work has been done by volunteers to restore the decaying buildings to their former glory as part of the ever expanding impressive museum. It is well worth a visit with lots to see and do - there are many exhibits and restored buildings to explore, two hangers full of flying and static aircraft from the period, living history events, airshows and all manor of other fun and educational events throughout the year and of course the Airman’s Mess where you can enjoy a hearty breakfast, lunch or slab of cake.
The purpose of this camp (aside from simply enjoying a camp in such an amazing location) was to try and raise much needed funds and awareness for the Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI) Great Tommy Sleepout - a charity fundraising event to help homeless verterans in the UK. A great number of our brave servicemen and women are sleeping rough on the streets and the RBLI work tirelessly to help them back into the warm, but they rely on donations to do their work. If you are able to make a donation, however small, it will go a long way to help out. The link below will take you to the RBLI fundraiser page. Thank you!
I hope you enjoy the video, and thanks for watching.
Links
RBLI Great Tommy Sleepout fundraiser page
https://socialsync.app/fundraiser/cr-93oj811ymjkn
Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome
stowmaries.org.uk
Outhaus Co. Swag and tarp.
outhaus.co
Datum Attitude beer
datumattitude.co.uk
Simon, a bloke in the woods Merchandise
simon-a-bloke-in-the-woods.teemill.com/collection/t-shirts
Contact me at:
simonablokeinthewoods@gmail.com
Or by mail at:
Simon, a bloke in the woods
PO Box 384
Diss
Norfolk
IP22 9DB
UK
Facebook - Simon, a bloke in the woods
facebook.com/Simon-a-bloke-in-the-woods-636523033219227/?ref=br_rs
Instagram - simon_a_bloke_in_the_woods
instagram.com/simon_a_bloke_in_the_woods/?hl=en
Music
A call from the sea - Walt Adams
ES - Minor flaw - The fly guys five
In this video, I am down in Essex at Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome for a vintage First World War era camp with my friend Ian.
Great War period vehicles, a full field kitchen and campaign camp equipment, authentic World War One food and a thorough explore of a unique Great War aerodrome.
Stow Maries Aerodrome is the only surviving First World War Royal Flying Corps airfield in Europe that boasts such a large number of original un-altered buildings. It was first opened in 1916 as an intercepter fighter base and was a key part of the eastern defences protecting London from Zeppelin and Gotha bomber attacks. As the Great War came to an end in 1918, the base was decommissioned and the site returned to farming until it was sold in 2010 and then finally acquired by the Stow Maries Great War Areodrome charitable trust in 2013. Since then huge amounts of work has been done by volunteers to restore the decaying buildings to their former glory as part of the ever expanding impressive museum. It is well worth a visit with lots to see and do - there are many exhibits and restored buildings to explore, two hangers full of flying and static aircraft from the period, living history events, airshows and all manor of other fun and educational events throughout the year and of course the Airman’s Mess where you can enjoy a hearty breakfast, lunch or slab of cake.
The purpose of this camp (aside from simply enjoying a camp in such an amazing location) was to try and raise much needed funds and awareness for the Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI) Great Tommy Sleepout - a charity fundraising event to help homeless verterans in the UK. A great number of our brave servicemen and women are sleeping rough on the streets and the RBLI work tirelessly to help them back into the warm, but they rely on donations to do their work. If you are able to make a donation, however small, it will go a long way to help out. The link below will take you to the RBLI fundraiser page. Thank you!
I hope you enjoy the video, and thanks for watching.
Links
RBLI Great Tommy Sleepout fundraiser page
https://socialsync.app/fundraiser/cr-93oj811ymjkn
Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome
stowmaries.org.uk
Outhaus Co. Swag and tarp.
outhaus.co
Datum Attitude beer
datumattitude.co.uk
Simon, a bloke in the woods Merchandise
simon-a-bloke-in-the-woods.teemill.com/collection/t-shirts
Contact me at:
simonablokeinthewoods@gmail.com
Or by mail at:
Simon, a bloke in the woods
PO Box 384
Diss
Norfolk
IP22 9DB
UK
Facebook - Simon, a bloke in the woods
facebook.com/Simon-a-bloke-in-the-woods-636523033219227/?ref=br_rs
Instagram - simon_a_bloke_in_the_woods
instagram.com/simon_a_bloke_in_the_woods/?hl=en
Music
A call from the sea - Walt Adams
ES - Minor flaw - The fly guys five
