Best places at MAN and BHX for photos?

Thanks again for the replies 🙂
I decided to try Manchester yesterday as not been there before. Weather was fantastic too.
Excellent day out. Great facilities for viewing at the ‘official’ park and some good opportunities around the airport.

Spent a good while at the park then tried the Airport Hotel – never been to a pub like that before! :p
How close is that taxiway?!?

Finally got to try the Southside after I eventually found a space to park near the Holiday Inn. Probably the best place as you said Grey Area.
Shame there is not more parking!
Think I was lucky there as I understand that runway is NOT used between 12pm and 3pm? I arrived just before 3pm and I think they had just switched to using it.

Highlghts for me were seeing some 747s. Very rare sight I think at BHX so not much opportunity for them – only ever remember seeing one when I used to go a lot as a kid with my Dad.

Will post some photos shortly but advance apologies for basic labelling. Civil aircraft is not something I am strong on yet!

Andrew

Ah, the Airport Pub… One of my favourite drinking establishments in the whole wide world… At least the ones I’ve been to!

Glad you had an enjoyable day Andrew. MAN is possibly one of the most spotter/photography friendly airports in the world. Not including flying out of or through there, myself and my camera have visited that wonderful place 9 times over the Summer, and I’m sure there’ll be a good few more times to come!

Paul.

P.S. Welcome to the forums! 🙂

Thanks again for the replies 🙂
I decided to try Manchester yesterday as not been there before. Weather was fantastic too.
Excellent day out. Great facilities for viewing at the ‘official’ park and some good opportunities around the airport.

Spent a good while at the park then tried the Airport Hotel – never been to a pub like that before! :p
How close is that taxiway?!?

Finally got to try the Southside after I eventually found a space to park near the Holiday Inn. Probably the best place as you said Grey Area.
Shame there is not more parking!
Think I was lucky there as I understand that runway is NOT used between 12pm and 3pm? I arrived just before 3pm and I think they had just switched to using it.

Highlights for me were seeing some 747s. Very rare sight I think at BHX so not much opportunity for them – only ever remember seeing one when I used to go a lot as a kid with my Dad.

Will post some photos shortly but advance apologies for basic labelling. Civil aircraft is not something I am strong on yet!

Andrew

P.S. Tom dropped you a PM about BHX viewing.

Hi Andrew,

As Lance has already said the outside viewing area has gone now but there are other various spots around the BHX perimiter, firstly if you go further down the carpark to which the viewing area was attched (Long Stay 1) and continue right down to the RWY 33 threshold you’ll get some good views from there and use it regulary myself.

Be weary though a step ladder is advisable and if your in a car prepare to pay £6 for upto four hours and £10 after that four hour gap. You can also go to the Sheldon Country Park at the other end of the airport, I myself park in Marston Green rail station and simply walk down.

The bonus with this being it’s all free and you get some great landing shots and in some cases line up shots if 15 is in use, you can also carry on following the perimiter fence into the golf course and you’ll find a few locations along there to take pictures etc

Also last but not least you have the ‘Aviation Experiance’ inside Terminal One which is easily findable on the 1st floor and is a cheap £1 entry fee and gives good views of the airfield but the terminal roof tends to block the view of aircraft closet to you on stand.

If you need anything more detailed in the form of a map or something I wouldn’t mind emailing it to you! hope this helps.

Tom

Hi, thanks for the reply and the link!
I guess from the site the best places as you say are the 24L and 06L spots?
It mentions the Moat House Hotel. Is it OK to park in the car parks do you know? It just metnions ‘nearby’

Do not know the area at all.

Andrew

Welcome to the madhouse. 😉

For photography spots at MAN, have a look here. The Aviation Viewing Park, while a quite splendid facility for viewing, is not much cop for photography before 15:00 (ish) because you’re shooting into the sun.

I heartily recommend the spots on the South side of the airport, though. 😀

And yes, the ground level “paddock” at BHX (with it’s baby bunnies) has gone. 🙁