Biggin Hill marks 85th anniversary of Battle of Britain’s “Hardest Day”

Photo credit: Mike Rivett / Fotomotion

On 18 August, London Biggin Hill Airport commemorated the 85th anniversary of The Hardest Day—one of the pivotal moments of the Battle of Britain.

Described by Churchill as “the strongest link,” Biggin Hill (then an RAF airfield) was a vital frontline station in 1940, launching Hurricanes and Spitfires against waves of Luftwaffe attacks. Today, Biggin Hill’s wartime legacy remains central to its identity, and lives on through memorial initiatives, including the Strongest Link Garden, unveiled by Randolph Churchill (great grandson of Sir Winston) in 2022.

The airport also continues to support RAF charities, working closely with the RAF Benevolent Fund, Scotty’s Little Soldiers, and the Biggin Hill Museum & Chapel. It also plays host to The Spitfire Company, home to the world’s largest fleet of airworthy Spitfires, offering restorations and public flight experiences.