RAF Bentley Priory

RAF Bentley Priory
Stanmore, Harrow, Greater London in England
The Officers' Mess (now a museum) from the Italian Gardens
RAF Bentley Priory Location in London Borough of Harrow
Coordinates	51°37′35.94″N 0°20′3.24″W / 51.6266500°N 0.3342333°W / 51.6266500; -0.3342333
Type	Non-flying administrative station
Site information
Owner	Ministry of Defence
Operator	Royal Air Force
Condition	Closed
Website	Bentley Priory Museum
Site history
Built	1766 (1766)
In use	1936–2008 (2008)
Fate	Converted to residential use. Former Officers' Mess now the Bentley Priory Museum.
Battles/wars	Battle of Britain (Jul–Oct 1940) Air Offensive, Europe (1942) Battle of Britain (Jul–Oct 1940) Air Offensive, Europe (1942–1945) Cold War (1946–1991)
Garrison information
Past commanders	Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding 25 November 1940 – Air Marshal Sir Sholto Douglas 28 November 1942 – Air Marshal Sir Trafford Leigh-Mallory 15 November 1943 – Air Marshal Sir Roderic Hill 14 May 1945 – Air Marshal Sir James Robb 17 November 1947 – Air Marshal Sir William Elliot 19 April 1949 – Air Marshal Sir Basil Embry 7 April 1953 – Air Marshal Sir Dermot Boyle 1 January 1956 – Air Marshal Sir Hubert Patch 8 August 1956 – Air Marshal Sir Thomas Pike 30 July 1959 – Air Marshal Sir Hector McGregor 18 May 1962 – Air Marshal Sir Douglas Morris 3 March 1966 – Air Marshal Sir Frederick Rosier
Garrison	RAF Fighter Command HQ Royal Observer Corps No. 11/18 Group Strike Command RAF
Listed Building – Grade II*
Designated	25 May 1983[1]
Reference no.	1358638
National Register of Historic Parks and Gardens
Type	Grade II
Designated	9 December 1999[2]
Reference no.	1001440

RAF Bentley Priory was a non-flying Royal Air Force station near Stanmore in the London Borough of Harrow. It was the headquarters of Fighter Command in the Battle of Britain and throughout the Second World War. The Royal Air Force station closed its operations on 30 May 2008, with all units relocating to new accommodation at RAF Northolt, a few miles away.

The station incorporated Bentley Priory, which was originally built in 1766. Since its closure, the Officers' Mess has converted into the Bentley Priory Museum with exhibits focusing on the house's role in the Battle of Britain. The grounds have been redeveloped as a private residential housing estate.