Southern England is a sub-national area of England located in the southern portion of the island of Great Britan. Also called South of England, Southern England is defined by distinct cultural traits heavily influenced by London, the capital of England and the United Kingdom.
Geographically, Southern England is bordered to its north by the Midlands, the central portion of England, and is bounded by the Celtic Sea on its west, the English Channel on its south, and the North Sea’s Southern Bight on its east. Southern England is predominantly low-lying, with several ranges of rolling hills including the Mendip Hills and North Wessex Downs.
This bush trip visits locations throughout Southern England, from its smallest villages to the skyscrapers of London. The flight includes a broad range of sights, including urban, coastal, historic architecture, and verdant countryside.
Total Legs: 7 Total Distance: 593 Total Time(125kts): 4 hours 44 minutes
Leg 1
Cranfield to Bristol
Leg Distance: 96.37 Approximate time at 125kts: 46 minutes.
Cranfield(EGTC) to Milton Keynes(POI1)
Distance: 5.6NM Bearing: 250° 3 minutes
After departing from Cranfield Airport, set a course to the south-southwest and gain a visual on Willen Lake. Pass over the southern end of Willen Lake and then fly over the city of Milton Keynes, just to its west.
Milton Keynes(POI1) to Aylesbury(POI2)
Distance: 13.53NM Bearing: 188° 6 minutes
From Milton Keynes, turn to the south-southwest and pass over the town of Aylesbury. The highway A413 connects to Aylesbury from the northwest and is a good visual reference.
Aylesbury(POI2) to Oxford(POI3)
Distance: 16.53NM Bearing: 256° 8 minutes
At Aylesbury, turn onto a west-southwest course and pass over a landscape of fields and hedgerows. Sight the city of Oxford in the distance, located where rivers Cherwell and Thames meet. Pass over Oxford, internationally known as the home of the University of Oxford.
Oxford(POI3) to Faringdon(POI4)
Distance: 13.78NM Bearing: 245° 7 minutes
Follow the general course of highway A420 to the town of Faringdon.
Faringdon(POI4) to Swindon(POI5)
Distance: 9.54NM Bearing: 230° 5 minutes
Continue tracking the general course of highway A420 to the southwest to the city of Swindon. Swindon has a rich history of railway development and was a pioneer in several social institutions including a comprehensive healthcare system.
Swindon(POI5) to Sutton Benger(POI6)
Distance: 11.67NM Bearing: 255° 6 minutes
Follow the M4 motorway west-southwest from Swindon to the village of Sutton Benger.
Sutton Benger(POI6) to Bristol(POI7)
Distance: 19.18NM Bearing: 261° 9 minutes
From Sutton Benger, maintain course and continue following the M4 motorway, remaining to its south. Gain a visual on the Bristol Channel, which opens to the Celtic Sea, and the River Severn, which empties into the Bristol Channel at the Severn Estuary. Pass over the city of Bristol, located just inland of the Severn Estuary along the banks of the River Avon, which empties into the Severn Estuary.
Bristol(POI7) to Bristol(EGGD)
Distance: 6.54NM Bearing: 229° 3 minutes
Turn to the southwest over Bristol and gain a visual on the three Barrow Reservoirs and the A38 highway that passes between Barrow Reservoir 2 and Barrow Reservoir 3. Follow the A38 to Bristol Airport (EGGD) and land.
Leg 2
Bristol to Eaglescott
Leg Distance: 75.83 Approximate time at 125kts: 36 minutes.
Bristol(EGGD) to Weston-super-Mare(POI8)
Distance: 9.29NM Bearing: 255° 4 minutes
Lift off from Bristol Airport and set a course to the west-southwest and gain a visual on the Bristol Channel. Pass over the town of Weston-super-Mare, located just inland of the channel between River Banwell and River Axe.
Weston-super-Mare(POI8) to Bridgwater(POI9)
Distance: 12.61NM Bearing: 186° 6 minutes
Turn to the south and follow the coastline, remaining just inland of the shore. Pass over the town of Highbridge and the River Brue, then gain a visual on the River Parrett. Bridgwater is located on the banks of River Parrett.
Bridgwater(POI9) to Dunster(POI10)
Distance: 17.17NM Bearing: 280° 8 minutes
From Bridgwater, turn to the west-northwest and pass to the north of the Quantock Hills. Located just inland of the south shore of the Bristol Channel, the Quantock Hills were the first location in England to be designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. After passing the northern end of the Quantock Hills, follow the coastline of the Bristol Channel to the village of Dunster, located along the banks of the River Avill.
Dunster(POI10) to Lynton(POI11)
Distance: 14.94NM Bearing: 281° 7 minutes
Maintain course, following the coastline of the southern Bristol Channel. Gain a visual on the East Lyn river and follow it to the town of Lynton, located on the shore of the Bristol Channel.
Lynton(POI11) to Barnstaple(POI12)
Distance: 12.37NM Bearing: 224° 6 minutes
Turn to the southwest and sight the River Taw. Pass over the port town of Barnstaple where the River Taw begins to widen as it enters the Bristol Channel.
Barnstaple(POI12) to Eaglescott(EGHU)
Distance: 9.45NM Bearing: 164° 5 minutes
At Barnstaple, turn onto a south-southeast course and follow the general course of A377, a small highway. Gain a visual on Eaglescott Airfield, located west of A377 amid a patchwork of fields and stands of trees.
Leg 3
Eaglescott to Land’s End Airport
Leg Distance: 86.26 Approximate time at 125kts: 41 minutes.
Eaglescott(EGHU) to Okehampton(POI13)
Distance: 11.35NM Bearing: 183° 5 minutes
After departing Eaglescott Airfield, set a course to the south and gain a visual on River Okement. Follow the course of the river to the town of Okehampton.
Okehampton(POI13) to Launceston(POI14)
Distance: 15.15NM Bearing: 245° 7 minutes
From Okehampton, turn to the southwest and follow the A30 highway to Launceston, location of the Launceston Castle, built in the eleventh century.
Launceston(POI14) to Bodmin(POI15)
Distance: 16.41NM Bearing: 235° 8 minutes
After passing over Launceston, continue on a southwest course, following the A30 highway. Gain a visual on Colliford Lake, a large reservoir in the area. Pass over the reservoir and then reach the town of Bodmin.
Bodmin(POI15) to Indian Queens(POI16)
Distance: 9.55NM Bearing: 240° 5 minutes
Remain on course, following the A30 highway, to reach the town of Indian Queens.
Indian Queens(POI16) to Scorrier(POI17)
Distance: 13.17NM Bearing: 232° 6 minutes
Continue following the A30 highway to the village of Scorrier, located approximately three miles inland of the Celtic Sea.
Scorrier(POI17) to Carbis Bay(POI18)
Distance: 10.81NM Bearing: 251° 5 minutes
Track the A30 highway, parallelling the Celtic Sea coastline, to St Ives Bay. Carbis Bay, a seaside resort, is located on the west shore of St Ives Bay.
Carbis Bay(POI18) to Land’s End Airport(EGHC)
Distance: 9.82NM Bearing: 237° 5 minutes
From Carbis Bay, continue to the west-southwest and gain a visual of Land’s End of the Penwith Peninsula, the westernmost point of mainland England. Land at Land’s End Airport (EGHC), located just inland of the Celtic Sea.
Leg 4
Land’s End Airport to Exeter
Leg Distance: 99.8 Approximate time at 125kts: 48 minutes.
Land’s End Airport(EGHC) to Townshend(POI19)
Distance: 11.93NM Bearing: 78° 6 minutes
Depart from Land’s End Airport and set a course to the east-northeast. Sight Mount’s Bay of the English Channel, and the city of Penzance. Pass over Penzance and the north end of Mount’s Bay, then sight River Hayle. The small village of Townshend is located just to the north of the river.
Townshend(POI19) to Falmouth(POI20)
Distance: 10.58NM Bearing: 86° 5 minutes
From Townshend, sight the River Fal where it meets the English Channel. Pass over the city of Falmouth, located on the western side of the river at its juncture with the channel. Falmouth is an important port in the region.
Falmouth(POI20) to Mevagissey(POI21)
Distance: 13.58NM Bearing: 61° 7 minutes
Cross the River Fal and then follow the English Channel coastline. Gain a visual on Carlyon Bay, a large crescent-shaped bay. The fishing port of Mevagissey is located on the southwestern aspect of Carlyon Bay.
Mevagissey(POI21) to St Austell(POI22)
Distance: 4.28NM Bearing: 12° 2 minutes
Turn to the north-northeast and follow the western edge of Carlyon Bay to the town of St Austell.
St Austell(POI22) to Downderry(POI23)
Distance: 15.18NM Bearing: 85° 7 minutes
Follow the coastline to the east and pass over River Fowey and then River Looe. Gain a visual on River Seaton where it empties into the English Channel and then fly over it to reach the coastal village of Downderry.
Downderry(POI23) to Plymouth(POI24)
Distance: 8.99NM Bearing: 87° 4 minutes
Continue on an eastward course from Downderry and sight Plymouth Sound, a deep inlet on the English Channel. The city of Plymouth is located at the head of the sound between Rivers Tamar and Plym. Plymouth, rooted in shipbuilding, is a thriving metropolitan region that is the most populous city in England south of London.
Plymouth(POI24) to Ashburton(POI25)
Distance: 16.67NM Bearing: 59° 8 minutes
From Plymouth, set a course to the northeast and pass over the hills of Dartmoor, protected by Dartmoor National Park. Pass over the city of Ashburton, located along the River Ashburton just north of the A38 motorway.
Ashburton(POI25) to Exeter(EGTE)
Distance: 18.59NM Bearing: 46° 9 minutes
From Ashburton, follow the A38 motorway to the northeast. Gain a visual on the Exe Estuary, where the River Exe empties into the English Channel. Pass over the River Exe, just north of the Exe Estuary, and land at Exeter Airport (EGTE).
Leg 5
Exeter to Bournemouth
Leg Distance: 62.34 Approximate time at 125kts: 30 minutes.
Exeter(EGTE) to East Devon National Landscape(POI26)
Distance: 10.93NM Bearing: 88° 5 minutes
Lift off from Exeter Airport and set a course to the east. Gain a visual on and then just pass to the north of Farway Common Airfield. Continue to the east after passing the airfield and fly over East Devon National Landscape, notable for its stands of trees and coastal landscapes.
East Devon National Landscape(POI26) to Charmouth(POI27)
Distance: 8.42NM Bearing: 91° 4 minutes
Continue on course to the east and pass over the hillside village of Charmouth. Located next to the River Char, Charmouth overlooks Lyme Bay of the English Channel.
Charmouth(POI27) to Dorset National Landscape(POI28)
Distance: 13.51NM Bearing: 98° 6 minutes
Follow the A35 motorway to the east from Charmouth. Pass over the town of Bridport and then sight the town of Dorchester. Just west of Dorchester, pass over Dorset National Landscape. The area protects rolling hills, coastal cliffs, and beaches.
Dorset National Landscape(POI28) to Bovington Camp(POI29)
Distance: 11.64NM Bearing: 89° 6 minutes
Fly over Dorchester and then pass over the village of Moreton on the banks of the River Frome. Bovington Camp, a British Army base, is located just to the east of Moreton across the River Frome.
Bovington Camp(POI29) to Bournemouth(POI30)
Distance: 14.02NM Bearing: 86° 7 minutes
From Bovington Camp, sight Poole Harbor and pass just to its north. Continue on course to reach Bournemouth, a resort town on the coast of the English Channel.
Bournemouth(POI30) to Bournemouth(EGHH)
Distance: 3.82NM Bearing: 21° 2 minutes
From Bournemouth, turn to the northeast and pass over the River Stour. Land at Bournemouth Airport (EGHH), located just to the northeast of the river.
Leg 6
Bournemouth to Lydd
Leg Distance: 109.55 Approximate time at 125kts: 53 minutes.
Bournemouth(EGHH) to Southampton(POI31)
Distance: 18.37NM Bearing: 64° 9 minutes
After lifting off from Bournemouth Airport, gain a visual on Southampton Water, an estuary where the River Test and River Itchen join. Pass over New Forest National Park, and then pass over the River Test to reach the city of Southampton, located just north of the confluence of the rivers. Southampton is one of Southern England’s most populous cities and it is an important port.
Southampton(POI31) to Portsmouth(POI32)
Distance: 13.45NM Bearing: 113° 6 minutes
From Southampton, follow the course of motorway M27 to the southeast. Gain a visual on and pass over Portsmouth Harbor to reach the city of Portsmouth. Portsmouth, located on Portsea Island, is the only large city in England not on its mainland.
Portsmouth(POI32) to Chichester Harbor(POI33)
Distance: 8.16NM Bearing: 92° 4 minutes
From Portsmouth, head to the east, passing over Langstone Harbor, then Hayling Island. Fly over Emsworth Channel and then Thorney Island. Chichester Harbor lies just to the east of Thorney Island.
Chichester Harbor(POI33) to Worthing(POI34)
Distance: 12.33NM Bearing: 88° 6 minutes
Continue on course to the east, passing just north of the seaside town of Bognor Regis, and gain a visual on the River Arun. Worthing is located just to the east of the River Arun.
Worthing(POI34) to Brighton(POI35)
Distance: 15.29NM Bearing: 87° 7 minutes
Continue following the coastline to the east to the seaside resort town of Brighton.
Brighton(POI35) to Hailsham(POI36)
Distance: 14.7NM Bearing: 80° 7 minutes
From Brighton, head to the north-northeast, away from the coast. Pass to the south of the town of Lewes and gain a visual on Arlington Reservoir. Pass just to the north of Arlington Reservoir to reach the town of Hailsham.
Hailsham(POI36) to Hastings(POI37)
Distance: 12.11NM Bearing: 87° 6 minutes
Continue to the east from Hailsham, sighting the coastline in the distance. Pass to the north of the city of Bexhill-on-Sea and then reach the seaside town of Hastings.
Hastings(POI37) to Lydd(EGMD)
Distance: 15.14NM Bearing: 68° 7 minutes
At Hastings, turn onto a north-northeast heading and sight Dungeness, a headland on the English Channel coastline. Touch down at Lydd Airport (EGMD), located just inland of Dungeness.
Leg 7
Lydd to London City
Leg Distance: 63.06 Approximate time at 125kts: 30 minutes.
Lydd(EGMD) to Ashford(POI38)
Distance: 11.86NM Bearing: 347° 6 minutes
Depart Lydd Airport and set a course to the north-northwest. Pass over the city of Ashford, a major railway center located 50 miles to the southeast of London. High Speed 1, which links London and the Channel Tunnel, passes through Ashford’s International Railway Station.
Ashford(POI38) to Aylesford(POI39)
Distance: 18.25NM Bearing: 300° 9 minutes
Turn to the northwest at Ashford and follow the M20 motorway to the town of Maidstone and then Aylesford. Aylesford is located in the county of Kent, known as the “Garden of England” due to its agricultural productivity.
Aylesford(POI39) to Dartford(POI40)
Distance: 12.27NM Bearing: 312° 6 minutes
From Aylesford, gain a visual on the River Thames to the northwest. The city of Dartford, which lies just outside the administrative boundary of Greater London, is located along the River Darent, which flows into the River Thames.
Dartford(POI40) to London(POI41)
Distance: 13.7NM Bearing: 285° 7 minutes
Turn to the west-northwest from Dartford and follow the course of the River Thames into London. The city was initially founded by the Romans as Londinium, capital of Roman Britain. Today, London is the most populous city in Western Europe and is one of the most important financial and business centers in the world. London is served by six primary airports, the closest one to Central London being London City Airport (EGLC).
London(POI41) to London City(EGLC)
Distance: 6.98NM Bearing: 90° 3 minutes
Follow the River Thames to the east of central London and land at London City Airport (EGLC), located on the north side of the river.
