The UK's oldest airport is over 100 years old and still being used today

The UK's oldest airport is still in operation today, with over 100 years of history. City Airport, formerly known as Shoreham Airport, was founded in 1910 by a former student and a local solicitor.

Built on a piece of grazing land, it is the oldest airport in the UK and the oldest purpose-built commercial airport in the world still in operation. The first was undertaken by one of the founders, Harold Piffard, and the airfield caught the attention of the Pashley brothers, who started a training school for pilots. In July 1911, it was the starting point for the first recorded cargo flight in the UK. The boasts a historically significant Grade II Listed hangar along with the beautiful Main Terminal Building, which was opened in June 1936 under the name 'Brighton Hove and Worthing Joint Municipal Airport'.

Shoreham was the target of several air raids during the war. In one, the outer skin of the main hangar was blown off, but the terminal building unbelievably remained undamaged.

Other aircraft units also flew from the airfield to support army operations, such as the Dieppe raid and the D-Day landings. In 1946, after WW2 had ended, the airfield was handed back for civil flying purposes, and activity began to increase steadily again.

Shoreham became a municipal airport under the control of the three local councils in 1971, with passenger services and general aviation the main focus of attention.

The municipal airport was renamed Brighton City Airport in 2013. It is still regarded as one of the leading general aviation airports in the country.

It is still operational today and is used by light aircraft and flying schools. Due to its fine original features dating back to the 1930s, it has also been used as a location in several films and television programmes, especially period dramas.

The airport has a small museum to share its 100-year history - from the earliest pioneers of flying to its role today as a leading general aviation centre. Tours are also available to explore the historic buildings, the hangar and the fire station.