Ever imagined what it might be like to serve in the Royal Navy?
Now you can get a taste of that experience by spending a night in one of their former helicopters, set against the picturesque backdrop of a serene lake right outside your door.
This unique accommodation was the brainchild of 45-year-old farmer Will Roughton.
The helicopter is stationed on a former military base at RAF Wainfleet in Friskney, Skegness, along the Lincolnshire coast.
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Originally, this site served as an army artillery range in the 1890s before transitioning into a bombing practice area during WWII in 1938.
“When the RAF Wainfleet site was decommissioned, I was given the opportunity to purchase it,” Will shared with Luxury Travel Daily.
“I began by converting the original buildings into holiday rentals. Once those were finished, I explored the idea of transforming military aircraft into unique places to stay.”
The base is now home to more than just the Royal Navy helicopter; it also features a military plane, a combine harvester, an army ambulance, a fire truck, and even a tank.
Will explained, “It seems the helicopter was once part of the ‘fleet air arm’ of the Royal Navy. Its maiden flight was on 18 September 1990, and it served with the 848 squadron at RNAS Yeovilton.
Unfortunately, I haven’t yet uncovered the full details of its service history, but we usually provide this type of information in the descriptions for our guests.”
The helicopter, discovered by Will at a museum in Wales, was purchased for £35,000 before being transported to its new home.
“It took about six months to complete the conversion, although this was done alongside regular maintenance and office work,” he noted.
The helicopter can comfortably accommodate four adults, with an additional sofa that can be converted into a small single bed for a child.
Inside, guests will find four single beds, a bathroom, a kitchen, and an outdoor deck furnished with rattan seating and a wooden bench. The cozy duvets on the beds add warmth, and the interior walls are painted in a vibrant yellow.
In addition to the helicopter, the site has been meticulously restored to include former tanks, army ambulances, and a tower.
Guests can also opt to stay in one of the two available planes, the Spitfire and the Aeroplane, each capable of hosting four to six people, as well as an army ambulance, a trailer, a converted fire engine, and more.
Will, who acquired the base in 2014, spent considerable time scouring the Internet to source these special vehicles, which were purchased from various locations across the UK, including the most recent helicopter from Wales.
Stays in the Royal Navy helicopter begin at £130 per night, and the different military-themed accommodations can be booked through the RAF Wainfleet website.
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