This is a holiday rental where a whirly-good time is guaranteed.
Because it’s a former Royal Navy helicopter. With a gorgeous lake right outside the door.
Will Roughton, a 45-year-old farmer, splashed out £35,000 on the Sea King after spotting it at a museum in Wales.
He then transported it to his coastal Lincolnshire land and spent six months turning the aircraft into comfortable living quarters for a quiet UK getaway.
Will revealed: ‘It sleeps four adults and there is room for a sofa to be converted into a small single for an extra child.’
This amazing holiday rental is a former Royal Navy Sea King helicopter, transformed into comfortable living quarters by farmer Will Roughton
Will splashed out £35,000 on the aircraft and transported it to his ex-military base property – RAF Wainfleet – in Friskney, Skegness, on the Lincolnshire coast
Will spent six months turning the aircraft into comfortable living quarters for a quiet UK getaway. Discussing the helicopter’s former life, Will said: ‘It appears that the helicopter was used by the “fleet air arm” of the Royal Navy. Its first flight was on 18 September, 1990’
The beds are topped with duvets and inside the walls are painted bright yellow.
The helicopter also has one bathroom, a kitchen and outside decking with rattan furniture and a wooden bench, as well as a BBQ and fire pit.
Discussing the helicopter’s former life, owner Will added: ‘It appears that the helicopter was used by the “fleet air arm” of the Royal Navy. Its first flight was on 18 September, 1990.
The helicopter was part of the 848 squadron based at RNAS Yeovilton. Pictured right – the interior takes shape
Outside the helicopter is a decked area with a picnic bench and rattan table and chairs, as well as a BBQ and fire pit (above)
‘It was part of the 848 squadron based at RNAS Yeovilton. I’m afraid I have not found any record of where it served as of yet.’
Holidaymakers will find the helicopter at Will’s property – ex-army base RAF Wainfleet in Friskney, Skegness.
In the 1890s, the site was an army artillery range and it became a WWII bombing practice range in 1938.
The helicopter sleeps four adults and there is room for a sofa to be converted into a small single for an extra child
The helicopter has one bathroom and the beds are topped with duvets
A stay in the Royal Navy helicopter starts at £130 per night. The picture above shows the double bed and kitchen
‘I was offered to buy the RAF Wainfleet site when it went out of service,’ Will said.
‘I then decided to convert its original buildings into holiday lets.
‘After I had completed those I decided to look at the possibility of [turning] military aircraft into stays.’
The base not only houses the Royal Navy helicopter but also a combine harvester, army ambulance, fire engine and tank.
All can be rented for overnight stays.
There’s also ‘the Tower’ – a five-storey RAF bombing range control tower that now contains three double bedrooms.
There are two planes available for rent too: a Spitfire and a Jetstream aeroplane, which can both fit four to six people.
Will – who purchased the base in 2014 – scoured the Internet to find the special vehicles, which have been purchased from across the UK.
The Sea King is the latest addition to his ‘fleet’.
The various army spaces including the Sea King helicopter can be booked through the RAF Wainfleet’s website: rafwainfleet.uk. A stay in the Royal Navy helicopter starts at £130 per night.
RAF Wainfleet, seen here, not only houses the Royal Navy helicopter but also a combine harvester army ambulance, fire engine and more – all available for overnight stays