27 July 2026, London – Every day, millions of travellers pass through UK airports without realising they’re surrounded by buildings that helped shape the history of British aviation. Hidden in plain sight are former airport terminals, pioneering control towers and historic hangars that tell the story of the UK’s aviation past.
New research from Airport Parking and Hotels (APH.com), available at www.aph.com/listedbuildings, highlights 10 listed buildings located at UK airports, helping travellers discover the aviation landmarks that often go unnoticed before take-off.
Unlike many historic sites, these buildings remain woven into today’s airport experience. Travellers can stay overnight in the former Liverpool Airport terminal, now the Crowne Plaza Liverpool John Lennon Airport and a Grade II* building, drive past one of the world’s earliest integrated airport terminals and control towers at Croydon, or visit Barton Aerodrome, home to England’s earliest municipal airport passenger terminal. Even the APH Manchester Park and Ride site includes a Grade II*-listed building that played a role in Lancaster bomber production during the Second World War.
Together, these 10 listed buildings chart some of the development of British aviation over the past century. They show how airports evolved from transport hubs into centres of innovation, engineering and wartime activity.
Nick Caunter, Managing Director of Airport Parking and Hotels (APH.com), said: “Many of the UK’s airports and the surrounding areas are home to remarkable buildings that tell some of the story of how air travel developed, and most travellers pass them without realising. We hope this research inspires people to uncover some of the hidden history behind some of Britain’s best-known airports and see a different side of Britain’s airports before they even board their flight.”
APH.com’s research shows that while airport future developments take a leading role uncovering the stories behind these remarkable buildings, passengers can understand what aviation innovation looked like a century ago.
For further information on Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) visit www.aph.com
or call 01342 859515.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Images (from left to right)
- Image 1: Wythenshawe Bus Depot, APH Car Park, Manchester Airport. Image credit Airport Parking and Hotels (APH.com).
- Image 2: Airport House at Croydon Airport. Image credit Simple Flying – George Rex via Flickr.
- Image 3: Control Tower at Manchester Barton Aerodrome. Image credit Team UAV.
High-res images can be downloaded from https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/or8d0gba8641vquxgb1cl/AEGR_hq3yFzswpJn2uxyBHM?rlkey=ikw2oqjh4j2thur7gm3syz610&st=agkjboro&dl=0
About Airport Parking and Hotels (APH)
Established in 1980, Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) is an award-winning airport parking operator and retailer, winning the ‘Best Airport Parking Company’ award at the British Travel Awards 2025 for the fifteenth-year running. APH also carries Which? Recommended Provider status having been voted as one of the best services available in the airport parking industry for the third consecutive year in June 2026. In addition to APH’s own car parks serving Gatwick, Manchester and Cardiff Airports, APH also offers parking at all major UK airports as well as airport hotels.
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Sarah Salord, Company Director
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