RAF Chedworth opened in April 1942 after being built during the winter of 1941/2 and at its peak, 600 men and 60 women were working there. The airfield had just 2 runways, one longer at 3,840 feet and the other still a respectable 3,564 feet. Both were easily long enough to accommodate most operational aircraft of the period. Also constructed were two blister hangars, a control tower, flight office, armoury and stores. Sadly the control tower was demolished completely in the 1980s.

Flying training at Chedworth ceased on 29 May 1945 and in the December of that year, the Admiralty used the site for storage. In 1946 Chedworth finally went out of use apart from being used in the 1960's by the RAF for emergency landing practice by the Central Flying School based at Little Rissington.

The nearby Chedworth Railway Tunnel was a victim of the Beeching Cuts in the 1960s, and like most of the old tunnels has been sealed and left to the bats to enjoy. I scrambled down anyway and found it was open. Alas I had no torch so did not venture too far into it. I have heard it has since been resealed and I can attest at least the other end has, since I walked there recently