Teignmouth&Shaldon Museum

High above Teignmouth at Little Haldon a small privately-owned aerodrome became the first licensed airfield west of Bristol and Yeovil where non-military aircraft could land. The year was 1928 and the man behind this brainchild was
Chumleigh-born William Richard Parkhouse. Not only was the aerodrome the pathfinder for Plymouth and Exeter airports in 1931 and 1937 respectively but the aerodrome reputedly ran the first railway (G.W.R.) air service in the country
and the first flying school in the West country.


Find out more about William Richard Parkhouse>>

Aviation was still in its infancy and one can only admire the skill and bravery of the pilots who took to the skies. Many of the these men and women were trained at Little Haldon under the auspices of Bill Parkhouse. His first student in 1928 was the Hon. Richard Westenra who had moved to Bishopsteignton with his wife Florrie. In 1932 Westenra won the London to Newcastle Air Race in a Gypsy Moth while his wife Florrie became part of a two-man team which flew 23,000 from Croydon to South Africa and back - a trip which lasted 72 days!

In September 1929 the first ‘air rallye’ and air pageant was held at
Teignmouth and was so successful that bigger and better displays followed. The Air
Race cup, awarded to the winners of this spectacular air race, is on display at
the Museum. A piece of aviation history was recaptured in July 2004 when the
Air Race was re-established.

For more detailed information about Haldon aerodrome and the life of its ingenious founder Bill Parkhouse :

Monograph No. 5 - Haldon Aerodrome
is available at £2.50 per copy (inclusive of Packaging and Postage). Please
do not send cash. Make cheques/money orders payable to ‘Teign Heritage’. All enquiries and orders for this monograph by mail only. Please
ensure that your name and full postal address are included with all correspondence.