Photography at the airport has become more and more awkward recently (like most UK airports) what with the security restrictions, extensions to both the apron (new remote stands) and the terminal building. For those of you that don't know, the 'official' picnic viewing area which was situated between the fuel farm and the Terminal is now closed. This was due to construction work of the new remote stands (stands 20-25) which are now in operation. Also, more recently, the closure of the 'Aviation Experiece' viewing area within the terminal building. The company 'Airtrans Limited' ceased trading.

There are still many locations to spot and take photos around the airport (all listed below) but the perimeter fence restricts the view and step ladders* are required for the more professional photographers. Along with the fence, green 'wind breakers' have been erected within the fence which restricts your view even more. *Please note: Use your common sense and remove / take down your step ladders after or between taking photos. Airport police and security can be strict.

The best spot to view now would be the extension area in the 'Long Stay 1' car park (at the far end) where the fence is only as high as you. Below, I have listed and detailed many locations in and around the airport to view, spot and photograph from. For any further information, I would be more than happy to provide you with further details. Happy spotting!

Read about the security scheme available to all spotters of Birmingham - Become a member of the 'BHX Airport Watch' group by clicking here!




Area 1 (view location on map)
Long Stay 1 * (extension area)
* Area expected to close in November 2011 due to runway extension works.
The extension area of the car park has now become one of the best places to spot from since the main picnic viewing area closed down. From here, you are standing underneath the flight path (of Runway 15/33) and opposite the taxiway and holding point (Echo One) - very close to the action! When Runway 33 is in use, all aircraft taxi towards you and often hold in front of you allowing excellant photos. When Runway 15 is in use, the majority of arrivals now turn off before the end of the runway on the new turn off point (quite distant) and only large aircraft can offer good photos unless you have a long lense! Any aircraft that does taxi down to the end will again offer excellent photos. Also when on Runway 15, nice rotating shots can be made.

As mentioned above, wind breakers have been erected within the fence resticting your view and so step ladders are required. Again, use your common sense, take down your steps after or in between taking photos. If you don't have steps, then you will find areas in the fence where you can take photos from.

For those photographers that rely on the sun, the sun in this spot is good from around 8am til 4pm (in the Summer) and from around 9am til 3pm (in the Winter). Remember that this spot is in the Long Stay 1 car park and so it is not free! For details on car parking charges, click here .



Area 2 (view location on map)
Along side Long Stay 1 (includes new mini picnic area)
The Long Stay 1 car park runs along side the southern area of the airfield, whilst walking to the above location (Area 1) you will find a number of areas including the new mini picnic area where you can take photos. Yet again, wind breakers have been erected within the fence resticting your view and so step ladders are required although the wind breakers have been removed in the new picnic area for the spotters along with new benches!

In these areas, photograph aircraft taxiing out for Runway 33, taxiing in from Runway 15 along with close activity from the likes of Ryanair and Flybe who use the original Terminal 2 building (remember the airport is now ONE terminal). Good photos can also be made from any parked up aircraft on Stands 20-25. For car parking charges click here .



Area 3 (view location on map)
The field behind the Tristar Hotel *
* Planned new fence along A45 boundary & building plans to block access to the viewing field soon.
The lane that leads down to this area from the A45 Coventry Road has been closed to traffic for several years now although is still accessable by foot. Despite the good location offering excellent photos, police and airport security have been very strict in this area. Should you wish to view here, leave your car else where and walk down, but note that as the lane joins the very busy A45 Coventry Road (dual-carriageway) it is very dangerous due to high speeded vehicles where there has (in the past) been accidents.

Once in the field, the views and photography is fantastic. Photograph aircraft taxiing, touching down and lining up on Runway 33 along with rotations from Runway 15. The sun also favours this spot, as the sun moves round. The sun is good for the whole afternoon and evening. Again you have a fence, but step ladders are needed or you can shoot through the fence. The top corner of the field is best.



Area 4 (view location on map)
The Aviation Experience *
* The Aviation Experience viewing area is closed, the company 'Airtrans Limited' ceased trading.
This area used to be (along time ago now) a good spot to view from. But after lots of construction work and extensions to the terminal building, you are very limited as to what you can see! You still have a clear view of the runway itself but if attempting to take photos, you not only have a problem with reflections from the glass (which is tinted), but you are dodging roof tops of the terminal. Many parked up aircraft on stands cannot be seen again due to the terminal building. You also have a problem with the sun in the afternoon where it is directly in front of you.

The gallery is situated on the third (top) floor of the terminal building, with the entrance being outside adjacent to the arrivals and departures doors. In addition to the spectator's gallery, there is a well stocked book store which sells a wide range of items of interest to both the serious aviation enthusiast and the casual visitor including books, registers, charts, videos, models, binoculars and air band radios and scanners. Hot and cold drinks and other light refreshments are also available.
For more details on prices etc, click here .



Area 5 (view location on map)
The Footpath * (along side train line)
* An (inner) fence at this spot has been erected making photography a lot more difficult.
This walkway can be found at the end of Trident Road (which runs infront of the terminal) at the junction of Herald Road turn left and you will see a gravel/grassy footpath which starts on your right. This is located next to the airport apron security point (staff gate).

This long path runs all the way along past the apron with views of the whole pier line-up along with all the remote stands of the 70's and 80's. Photos can be taken of parked up aircraft and also of some aircraft taxiing in and out using the new Taxiway Uniform (U). The sun is good in this spot first thing in the morning, but the sun soon moves round making this spot awkwud to photograph from.



Area 6 (view location on map)
Hatchford Brook Golf Course
Hatchford Brook golf course runs along side the runway, you can access the course through a Sheldon estate. From Sheldon, head down and park at the end of Cranes Park Road. Walk through into the course, follow a path round where it takes you to the perimeter fence. Along this path you will find a number of spots to view aircraft blasting past, rotating, and touching down offering some very good photos. Again, its an afternoon spot for the photographers where the sun will be behind you once the sun has moved round and also you will be photographing through a fence. Note to spotters during the wet weather, expect mud!



Area 7 (view location on map)
Marston Green Train Station (on the bridge)
At Marston Green train station when crossing the tracks over the bridge, you get a good view of the taxiway and Runway. You can photograph and view aircraft taxiing down for departure and lining up on to Runway 15 but the sun is only good first thing in the morning. There are no fences here but as you are standing in Marston Green station, they probably wont want you standing here for too long and you may get moved on.



Area 8 (view location on map)
Sheldon Country Park (end of Runway 15)
Sheldon Country Park is another interesting spot if you like approach shots. An awkward area though for those wanting to photograph aircraft on the taxiway due to the ground being uneven with dips and hills around the perimeter fence. When they are using Runway 15, you can get approach shots (side-on or below the aircraft) as you can walk around between the approach lights. So you can follow the sun round and get good photos throughout the day. When they are using Runway 33, you can only really get rotating shots as many aircraft landings turn off before the end. The best way to get to this spot is from Marston Green train station, you walk out the doors and turn right down a path and then you are literally in the park. Also accessable from the local housing estate.

There are no charges for this spot as its an unoffical area. Note to spotters during the wet weather, expect mud!



credit goes to Mick Bajcar, Michael Brazier, John Gregory, Jim Groom, Martin Hartland, Ian Haskell, Paul Manton, Karl Nixon, William Ronciere & Dave Sturges for the photos.