Barton Aerodrome:

Opened in 1930, Barton Aerodrome holds the distinction of being the first purpose-built civilian airfield in England. The airport's original passenger terminal, which includes a booking office and waiting room, was created by converting farm buildings located near the airport entrance. Alongside this, an aviation hangar and workshops were also constructed that same year to support the growing aviation industry.

In 1932, a significant addition was made to the aerodrome with the completion of an air traffic control tower. This tower featured a unique three-stage octagonal design rising from a single-storey base. The aerodrome’s first scheduled air service was operated by Imperial Airways, running the Croydon-Birmingham-Manchester-Liverpool route, marking the beginning of its commercial use.

By 1934, discussions were underway with KLM (Royal Dutch Airlines) to establish a Holland-North of England service. On January 22nd of that year, Captain Ivan Smirnoff of KLM flew into Barton to evaluate its potential as a link between Manchester and Amsterdam. However, the aerodrome was deemed too small for larger aircraft, and the necessary upgrades were considered too costly. As a result, plans were made to find a more suitable location for a larger airport that could better serve Manchester's growing international needs.

This search led to the opening of Ringway (now Manchester Airport) on June 25, 1938, which became the city’s primary commercial airport, replacing Barton.

Since the war, Barton Aerodrome has been operated by the Lancashire Aero Club, the oldest flying club in England. Today, the surviving structures, which are Grade II Listed, along with the original runways, remain as a rare and authentic example of 1930s aviation history.

The Air Raid shelter..

During World War Two, the airport was requisitioned for military use. The concrete air raid bunker, in use during the conflict, had remained hidden under overgrown vegetation near the A57 for a number of yearsIn the meantime, Barton Aerodrome transitioned into a Royal Air Force (RAF) volunteer reserve flying school in 1937 and later served as an RAF maintenance facility during World War II.