NELSAM (Sunderland) - Ghost Hunt

About the show

North East Land, Sea & Air Museums (NELSAM) is located on the former RAF Usworth airfield site, near Sunderland. The airfield was originally established in 1939, on the eve of the Second World War, and played a vital role in Britain's wartime and post-war aviation history.

During World War II, RAF Usworth was used primarily as a fighter training and operational airfield, supporting units involved in the defence of the North East and wider UK airspace. Pilots trained here in aircraft such as the Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire, while the surrounding hangars and workshops were busy with aircraft maintenance, engineering, and logistical support. The site remained active throughout the war and into the early Cold War period.

Following the end of frontline RAF operations, Usworth continued to be used for training, reserve units, and civil aviation, before eventually being decommissioned as an operational airfield in the mid-20th century. Like many former military sites, the airfield faced an uncertain future, with large areas falling into disuse.

In 1974, the North East Aircraft Museum was founded with the aim of preserving the region's aviation heritage. Over time, the collection expanded beyond aircraft to include military vehicles, naval exhibits, and wider defence history, leading to its rebranding as North East Land, Sea & Air Museums (NELSAM). The museum now occupies several of the original RAF buildings and hangars, allowing visitors to experience history within the very spaces where it once unfolded.

Today, NELSAM is a living museum run largely by volunteers, housing an extensive collection of historic aircraft, vehicles, artefacts, and memorials. The former RAF hangars, workshops, and airfield structures retain a strong sense of their operational past, creating a unique atmosphere where echoes of wartime service, engineering, and training still feel close to the surface.

We're looking forward to welcoming our customers as they join us for our paranormal event at NELSAM, exploring the history, atmosphere, and stories held within this remarkable former RAF site.