Exeter Airport Viewing Locations
Unfortunately suitable locations for aircraft viewings are limited at Exeter Airport. The following locations however do provide some vantage points depending on what activity you want to watch.
Car Park 4:
This car park is located the furthest away from the actual terminal building near the Training Academy and the Hamilton at Hilton Hotel. When you arrive at the barrier take a ticket and proceed forwards following the one-way system around the car park until you find a space. One advantage with this car park is you do not have to pay at a pay station before returning to your car, instead you can just drive up to the barrier, insert your ticket followed by a debit or credit card. The payment is taken, and your card is returned along with your ticket and a receipt. The barrier will then rise, you can then drive away. The view from this location is probably the best you will get however viewing is through a hire wire fence giving complete views of the runway, the South Apron, The North Apron, Taxiway Charlie, The Exeter Aerospace maintenance hangers (former Flybe), the fuel pumps and the fire station. I have used a Canon D600 camera from this location with a 300mm lens and it is fine even through the wire fence.
The end of runway 26:
This location requires you to drive onwards from car cark 4 towards Rockbeare and it looks like you are driving through a farmyard at one point. The lane is quite narrow and requires you to pull in to a suitable passing place should a car come from the other direction. You are looking for the ILS box on the left which is obviously directly in line with runway 26. There are a couple of pull in locations, but space is limited. This location is great for aircraft approach and landings on runway 26.
The end of runway 08:
This location is very limited in terms of parking space but if you are lucky you can get some great approach shots when the aircraft are landing on runway 08. To get to this location from the airport roundabout take the road under the tunnel heading for Cranbrook. Once you are through the tunnel look for the pull in on the left which rises-up a slight slope to a gate. You can park here and look towards the City for approaching aircraft. You will not see departing aircraft however you will hear them!
Car Park 1:
This location is very limited viewing unless you want to look at aircraft parked on stands and even that is limited because of the hanger and terminal building blocking your view. If military aircraft stay overnight, they are often parked on the stands just in front of this car park such as the A400 Atlas. You will therefore get some good static photos from this location but very, very limited runway views.
That is about it I'm afraid. My wish would be for the airport to accept aircraft spotters as another set of eyes security wise, not a threat and assistance to the airport. It would be ideal to have an airport view cafe/restaurant to provide undercover suitable locations with facilities within. Here's hoping!
Exeter SkyPark:
This location is changing all the time due to the ongoing development of phase two of the project area. Access SkyPark either from the North via the B3174 Cranbrook road and turn into the SkyPark into Dakota Way. Follow to the end junction and turn left. At the next junction turn right and pull up at the temporary building works fence. Please note there is a no stopping on SkyPark notice so your time is very limited to view over the airport. Also note that the new road blocked off by the fence will eventually open up to phase two area, however this is also the emergency access road for the emergency serives and in particular the Ambulance Service who are based here.
An alternative location to this is if you drive through SkyPark to the other end or drive in from the Clyst Honiton By-Pass end into Swordfish Avenue (note the last remaining Fighter Pen on the right as you drive past) and at the end where the road goes around to the left, turn right at the Live West building and follow the road around until you can go no further. You can park here beyond the yellow lines but there is only room for two or three cars. Viewing is limited but aircraft approaching to runway 08 are viewed well from this location.
Help the Airport:
Please be aware of your surroundings at all times and act as an extra set of eyes and ears for the safe security of the airport. Do not under any circumstances trespass onto private land or indeed the airport itself. You will be prosecuted!
Please take any litter home with you as this can cause a danger to aircraft by creating Foreign Object Debris (FOD) into the engines. Be courteous at all times and helpful to other spotters.
Car Park 4 is the only place to really enjoy spotting and is the most recommended area to do so. Although SkyPark does provide some viewing options it is not a permitted area and should only be used for that quick photo then move on.
This page was last updated 25 March 2026.