Grafton Underwood
For those with an interest in military history, Grafton Underwood is a must. This picturesque village housed one of the most important USAF bases during the Second World War. The station at Grafton was regarded as the most important Air base as it was from here that their first and last bombing missions of the Second World War flew. You can also pay your respects and visit the memorial to the American 8th Air Force.
Carpetbagger Aviation Museum
The Carpetbagger Aviation Museum was formed in 1993 for the 50th Anniversary reunion of the USAF's 801st / 492nd Bomb Group (The Carpetbaggers) at Harrington. It is housed in the Group Operations Building on the Administration Site of the former Station 179 airfield at Harrington, Northamptonshire, England. Displays and exhibits within the museum depict the history of the airfield and vividly show the work carried out by the 801st (Provisional) / 492nd Bomb Group, especially during Operation Carpetbagger, and their secret missions to deliver agents and supplies to resistance groups in Occupied Europe during the Second World War.
Bletchley Park
Seeing one of Bletchey Park’s Enigma Machines, including the rare 'Abwehr G312', is undoubtedly a highlight of a busy day out, but there is much more than machines in a visit to the historic site. Check out the tales of spies and strategic deception. You may even be the one to discover the map to genius mathematician Alan Turing's silver, supposedly buried in or near Bletchley Park.
You can also enjoy the American Garden trail - opened in August 2004 by Minister David T Johnson of the American Embassy, the American Garden Trail celebrates the links between the UK and the USA which started at Bletchley Park during the war and still continues today. The Trail starts at the giant sequoia tree, the state emblem of California, directly in front of the Mansion, which was planted in Victorian times by the Leon family. During the war an aerial was placed at the top of the tree to transmit radio signals for Station X.
The Trail then continues through the grounds of the Park and features many other state emblems including a cactus, the state emblem for Arizona and the lilac tree for New Hampshire. The Royal Horticultural Society and the Garden History Society advised Bletchley Park on the composition of the Trail.
