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Stansted northside viewing - The Ash footpath rough guide

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andygolfer
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Stansted northside viewing - The Ash footpath rough guide

Post by andygolfer » Sat Sep 11, 2021 7:47 am

I've realised that my Stansted guide that prepared some years ago has no reference to the well quoted 'Ash footpath' since I removed the northside items after MAG banned spotters from entering. Since then this footpath to the northern perimeter has become a lifeline to enthusiasts so here is some info about it which might help...

I thought I would produce these two pictures ( or maps if you prefer that term) to show what the access from the Ash to the northern perimeter fence is. I hope this will make it clear to prevent too many repeated questions.

Now that we have a topic on this will you please help by posting all questions (and even better, information) about this access in this topic to help keep other topics clean and on the original subject - many thanks. That will just help to make things easy to find.

One final point - please remember that the footpaths to the fence and around the fence line are not designated public footpaths, the authorities and landowners appear relaxed about us using them (they are also popular with dog walkers) but on occasions there is always the possibility that someone gets asked to leave / move on, if that happens please do so rather than cause problems for the future, there is usually an operational reason if they ask you to leave..

here's the first plan showing the access from Bury lodge Lane. If you are sensible you can easily park safely in Bury Lodge Lane so the pub car park is not the only option (please don't use the pub car park unless you are partaking in their hospitality).

Imagethe Ash - path to the northern fence 11-09-2021 by Andrew Goldsmith, on Flickr

and once at the fence this shows the line of it and what is visible - note how Harrods large hangar and offices block views of the front apron (audible moan!), the Harrod terminal completes the blocking of views although aircraft tails can be seen above it (just!). The fence path going south south east becomes a bit difficult due to prickly bushes as you go down towards the crash gate and to be frank (for reasons I mustn't mention) the authorities probably won't want people going down there especially if a security incident occurs. Please don't ask why as I won't answer otherwise I may get arrested.

Imagethe ash northern fence line access rev 11-09-2021 by Andrew Goldsmith, on Flickr

in case you want to book lunch at the Ash the telephone number is 01279 814841, they do a good selection of snacks and have a nice big TV screen showing sports etc, I watched a bit of the Cricket world cup there in 2019 when having a snack lunch the day Trump and his circus arrived! They also have complimentary snacks (cheese & nuts from memory) on the bar on Sunday lunch times - goes down well with a pint!.
Andygolfer (or at least I was once), now just plane crazy

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Stug298
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Re: Stansted northside viewing - The Ash footpath rough guide

Post by Stug298 » Sat Sep 11, 2021 1:24 pm

thank you very much for your detailed update I've been trying to find the footpath on o/s maps but of course its not a public right of way and I've not considered it suitable to park in the village but for a short time it might be ok i shall do a recce tomorrow perhaps thanks again for your efforts...

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andygolfer
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Re: Stansted northside viewing - The Ash footpath rough guide

Post by andygolfer » Sat Sep 11, 2021 3:44 pm

the verges near the pub are quite wide in places so that's where people normally park
HTH
Andy
Andygolfer (or at least I was once), now just plane crazy

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please support our photo competitions by entering and/or voting!
Proud winner of 2019 Air-Britain photo competition!

co-owner of UK Light Aviation Enthusiasts google group https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/uklae
and Stansted Aviation Enthusiasts google group: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/stnae

my photos on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/125470545@N07/

Stug298
Posts: 66
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Re: Stansted northside viewing - The Ash footpath rough guide

Post by Stug298 » Sat Sep 11, 2021 8:37 pm

andygolfer wrote:
Sat Sep 11, 2021 3:44 pm
the verges near the pub are quite wide in places so that's where people normally park
HTH
Andy
thanks....

phat01
Posts: 251
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Re: Stansted northside viewing - The Ash footpath rough guide

Post by phat01 » Thu Oct 07, 2021 1:09 pm

Hi all

i was wondering if this area is still accessible as im planning a trip to Stansted at the end of the month and wouldnt want to miss this area if its still used. Also on a side note what day and time is it best to spot on?

mtia

Phil
My Flickr pic's:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nqypics/

Newquay Airport Movement's Blog:
https://newquaymovements.blogspot.com/

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andygolfer
Administrator, POTM, SPOTM & FC POTM winner
Posts: 8500
Joined: Sat Apr 30, 2011 11:51 am
Location: Rayne Essex - 12 miles east of Stansted

Re: Stansted northside viewing - The Ash footpath rough guide

Post by andygolfer » Thu Oct 07, 2021 1:31 pm

phat01 wrote:
Thu Oct 07, 2021 1:09 pm
Hi all

i was wondering if this area is still accessible as im planning a trip to Stansted at the end of the month and wouldnt want to miss this area if its still used. Also on a side note what day and time is it best to spot on?

mtia

Phil
yes it's still accessible and very well used Phil, it can get a bit muddy in winter so take good footwear.
As for which is the best day it's very hard to tell, there are cargo flights most days but the problem with cargo flights is that their times are very unreliable. Probably more miz jets on weekdays but you never can tell.

It might be worth your joining our local google group where you will see planned movements and often a few days beforehand if it's something unusual.
Here's a link to the home page where you can apply to join: https://groups.google.com/g/stnae myself and porkscratching (Nick) are the co-owners and admins and we usually approve applicaions quite quickly

HTH
Andy
Andygolfer (or at least I was once), now just plane crazy

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please support our photo competitions by entering and/or voting!
Proud winner of 2019 Air-Britain photo competition!

co-owner of UK Light Aviation Enthusiasts google group https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/uklae
and Stansted Aviation Enthusiasts google group: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/stnae

my photos on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/125470545@N07/

phat01
Posts: 251
Joined: Thu Jul 19, 2012 5:47 pm

Re: Stansted northside viewing - The Ash footpath rough guide

Post by phat01 » Thu Oct 07, 2021 1:39 pm

thanks for the reply, glad its still available to use as it looks like theres some interesting things parking around there sometimes.

thanks for the invite to and i have sent a request :) may see you up there if something 'interesting' turns up

phil
My Flickr pic's:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nqypics/

Newquay Airport Movement's Blog:
https://newquaymovements.blogspot.com/

User avatar
andygolfer
Administrator, POTM, SPOTM & FC POTM winner
Posts: 8500
Joined: Sat Apr 30, 2011 11:51 am
Location: Rayne Essex - 12 miles east of Stansted

Re: Stansted northside viewing - The Ash footpath rough guide

Post by andygolfer » Thu Oct 07, 2021 1:44 pm

thanks Phil, I've approved your request and have also e-mailed you

enjoy!
Andy
Andygolfer (or at least I was once), now just plane crazy

Image
please support our photo competitions by entering and/or voting!
Proud winner of 2019 Air-Britain photo competition!

co-owner of UK Light Aviation Enthusiasts google group https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/uklae
and Stansted Aviation Enthusiasts google group: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/stnae

my photos on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/125470545@N07/

JRandall23
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Joined: Mon Aug 15, 2022 3:45 pm

Re: Stansted northside viewing - The Ash footpath rough guide

Post by JRandall23 » Mon Aug 15, 2022 3:56 pm

Hi, new here, is this info still usable or has anything changed !?

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andygolfer
Administrator, POTM, SPOTM & FC POTM winner
Posts: 8500
Joined: Sat Apr 30, 2011 11:51 am
Location: Rayne Essex - 12 miles east of Stansted

Re: Stansted northside viewing - The Ash footpath rough guide

Post by andygolfer » Mon Aug 15, 2022 4:48 pm

yes it is except that (positively) the eastern end where it says it's overgrown has been cleared when they put up a new fence last year so it's easier to get right down to the corner which means you can see a bit of the front apron. northside business park is still of limits with ANPR cameras in place and some patrols

HTH
Andy

and welcome to the forum BTW
Andygolfer (or at least I was once), now just plane crazy

Image
please support our photo competitions by entering and/or voting!
Proud winner of 2019 Air-Britain photo competition!

co-owner of UK Light Aviation Enthusiasts google group https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/uklae
and Stansted Aviation Enthusiasts google group: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/stnae

my photos on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/125470545@N07/

JRandall23
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Aug 15, 2022 3:45 pm

Re: Stansted northside viewing - The Ash footpath rough guide

Post by JRandall23 » Tue Aug 16, 2022 11:18 am

Thank you !!

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