What are the opening hours?

Tuesday 10am - 3pm Wednesday 10am - 3pm Thursday 10am - 3pm Friday 10am - 3pm Saturday 9am - 4pm Sunday 10am - 4pm

Greenham Control Tower

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Greenham Control Tower

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The 1950's Control Tower was unused for almost 3 decades, now restored as a visitor centre and café. https://linktr.ee/greenhamcontroltower

A registered charity run by volunteers for the community to enjoy. The Greenham Common Control Tower is an iconic grade II listed building which in the 1970’s and 1980’s played an important part in Britain’s role in The Cold War. At its height it oversaw the operation of the longest runway in Europe. When the airbase closed, and Greenham and Crookham Commons were returned to the people of West Berkshire, the Control Tower was left abandoned and fell into a poor state of repair. In 2014 Greenham Parish Council made a successful bid to purchase the building with the vision of turning it into a visitor centre for community use. Work on the refurbishment started later that year with a view to providing an on site café, visitor toilets, a visitor centre focusing on the history of Greenham Common as well as on site offices. The tower is operated by a small charity as a visitor centre, with exhibitions and a cafe.

05/11/2026

What a spectacular sight on the Common! Caught in a moment of take-off, this beautiful red kite shows off its impressive wingspan against the autumn colours.

📸 Steve Gouldstone

28/10/2026

🎃 The café is Halloween ready! 👻

We’ve got delicious hot chocolates, scarily good fudgy chocolate brownies and as a Half Term special, spooky mini pizzas served with carrot sticks! 🍕🧡

And there’s more! Bring the family along to enjoy our FREE Halloween treasure trail, explore the Control Tower (free entry, as always!) and enjoy some fantastic walks around Greenham Common.

Good food, Halloween fun and October sun, a perfect Half Term day out!

26/10/2026

The clocks have changed and so have our closing times on the weekends. The Control Tower and cafe will close at 16:00 on Saturdays and Sundays over winter.

24/10/2026

There is a large training exercise taking place on the Common today. Don’t be alarmed if you see emergency services!

A large multi-agency training exercise will take place at Greenham Common next weekend:
📅 Saturday 24 October
⏰ 07:00–17:00

There will be increased emergency service and search and rescue activity, including vehicles and specialist equipment.

🚨 This is a planned exercise and there is no cause for concern.

Please share to help keep local residents informed.

18/10/2026

Sundays just got better, our Hog Roast baps are back and are now served with gravy! Delicious slow cooked shoulder of pork, apple sauce and homemade stuffing in a soft white roll 😍

Every Sunday from 11:30 while stocks last

17/10/2026

We love Newbury Men's Shed! They were such a huge part of getting our Super Nero exhibition in place!

Steve Fletcher, of The Repair Shop fame, cut the ribbon at the official opening of Newbury Men's Shed last weekend!

🔨 The Shed supports BBOWT by producing bird and bat boxes, among other items, to encourage more nature in the area.

Congratulations to Nigel and Steve who founded this branch of Men's Sheds in record time.

13/10/2026

🎃🧙‍♀️ Get ready for our Spooky Halloween Treasure Trail! 👻🕷️

🦇 Follow the clues, complete the quest and win a treat! 🍬

A FREE event every day during half term, the perfect Halloween adventure for little witches, wizards and mini monsters!

12/10/2026

We’re on the BBC!

The motorcycle will be telling the story of racer George Brown at the place where he made history.

11/10/2026

Hog Roast baps are back for autumn and are now served with dipping gravy! Slow cooked pork, apple sauce, stuffing and crackling in a soft white roll 😍 Served on Sundays, while stock lasts!

07/10/2026

The GAMA bunkers and the end of the runway from above, taken in 1997. Can you spot the fire plane in the background?

Do you have memories of when the common looked like this?

📷 Jonathan Sayers

Address

Burys Bank Road
Thatcham
RG198BZ

Opening Hours

Tuesday	10am - 3pm
Wednesday	10am - 3pm
Thursday	10am - 3pm
Friday	10am - 3pm
Saturday	9am - 4pm
Sunday	10am - 4pm

Telephone

+44163544145

Website

https://www.greenhamtower.org.uk/

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