From this vantage point, the Control Tower at Cambridge Airport almost hums with silent stories. The Control Tower isn’t just a structure. It’s a witness to the evolution of aviation in Cambridge. Built in 1938, the Control Tower, part of the original airport complex, has overseen everything from the earliest biplanes to the sleek jets of more recent times. This airport replaced the older one at Fen Ditton. The main building, including the Control Tower, is a Grade II listed building. Designed by University of Cambridge architect Harold Tomlinson, it reflects the streamlined modern style of the 1930s. During World War II, this site became RAF Cambridge, playing a vital role in the war effort. Imagine the hurried activity, the tense faces watching the skies from this very Control Tower. Various RAF units operated from here, including training schools and maintenance units. After the war, Cambridge Airport returned to civilian use. It became a hub for private and corporate flights. It even hosted scheduled passenger services for a time. The airport continued evolving. Its name even briefly changed to Marshall Airport Cambridge UK in 2008, before reverting back to Cambridge Airport. The Control Tower witnessed these changes, a silent observer of the airport’s fluctuating fortunes. Today, the future of Cambridge Airport and this iconic Control Tower is uncertain. There are proposals to close the airport by 2030, potentially transforming the site into housing and business premises. But for now, the Control Tower stands tall, a reminder of Cambridge’s rich aviation history. It’s a testament to the ingenuity and ambition of those who dreamt of taking to the skies.
Catholic Church of Our Lady and the English Martyrs
Peering up at that towering spire, consider the Church of Our Lady and the English Martyrs. It’s more than just