Know before you go
Times & information
Tower & cafe opening times
Mon/Tue: Closed
Wed/Thurs/Fri: 10:30-15:00
Sat/Sun: 10:00-16:00
Where to find us
Greenham Control Tower and Cafe
Burys Bank Rd, Newbury, Thatcham RG19 8BZ
What3words: force.energy.smiles
Enjoy our Dog-friendly Café
Café
The café offers a special treat for everyone! Whatever your reason for visiting we offer a welcoming space to rest your legs after a long walk, meet with friends and family, or relax after visiting our exhibition spaces.
Our staff and volunteers offer a warm welcome. Come in and enjoy hot drinks, delicious cakes, warming soup, freshly made smoothies and milkshakes, light lunches, ice creams and much more.
What’s on
Upcoming Events
At Greenham Control Tower there is always something new to see and do. Take a look at our current exhibitions and events here.
What is there to see & do?
We have plenty to engage visitors for all ages
Outstanding views across what was one of the longest runways in Western Europe. Come and see where jet fighters and bombers were guided from as they blasted their way along a 12,000 foot runway. Take yourself back to the tense years of the Cold War when B-47s, KC-97s, and C-5 Galaxy’s used the base and look across to the GAMA site bunkers where cruise missiles were housed. Find out more about the protests of famous Greenham Peace Women
Today we have real-time air-traffic control displays to give you a feeling of what it would have been like to scan the skies across the common when it was an airfield.
Our Story
The story of Greenham Common as told by the people who lived and worked here
Our permanent exhibition describes how Greenham Common has played a variety of roles through time, from a vast expanse of common land requisitioned as a military base most famously used by the American Airforce during the Cold War, and now returned to a beautiful space for recreation and to home to some very special wildlife.
You can read the testimonies of some the people who lived through that history.
Stay tuned in
We are home to a radio station!
The Newbury And District Amateur Radio Society (NADARS) is licensed by Ofcom to operate an amateur radio station from the Tower. A fully operational shortwave station with a permanent special even callsign GB4GCT is on display along with reception of the QO-100 satellite. Find out more about amateur radio and hear the station make contact with other radio amateurs around the world on Saturday mornings 1030 to 1300
Further details about NADARS can be found at www.nadars.org.uk
Bring your group
Speak to us about visiting with your group
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Community Groups
We offer space for community groups to meet. Get in contact to find out more.
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Educational Visits
We love inspiring young minds! Get in contact to discuss your educational visit.
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Group Visits
We are happy to cater for special visits – Coach tours, Vintage Car meets, Walking groups. Please get in contact to discuss.
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Getting around
Accessibility
Our building is wheelchair accessible, if a little bumpy on the car park. We have wide doors and ramps and a wheelchair friendly disabled toilet.
Please be aware that we are a Grade 2 listed military building, we do not have a lift to the upper floor or observation deck. The climb to the top is approx. 60 steps.
We do have screen in the café that displays 360 degree view from the Observation Deck as well as fascinating pictures from the tower’s history.
If you have any questions regarding access to the tower or facilities please get in touch.