For decades, people across the United Kingdom have reported strange things in the sky. These are called UFOs, or Unidentified Flying Objects. Some of the most famous and unexplained cases happened right here in Britain.
One of the biggest mysteries began 45 years ago. It was just after midnight on December 26, 1980, in Rendlesham Forest, Suffolk. American airmen at a Royal Air Force base saw unusual lights. They went to investigate.
They reported finding a strange, glowing craft in a clearing. It then rose up and vanished. More sightings happened over the next few nights. A high-ranking officer wrote an official report about it. This event is often called “Britain’s Roswell.” Experts still debate what really happened that night.
The British government has long said it is not interested in UFOs. But in 2008, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) released thousands of old UFO files to the public. There were over 60,000 pages. This showed officials had been collecting reports for years.
One early case happened in 1956 at RAF Bentwaters. RAF personnel tracked about 15 unknown objects on radar. Jets were sent to intercept them. Pilots said one object was moving at an incredible 4,000 miles per hour. This was far faster than any known aircraft at the time.
So why does the government often downplay these reports? Some researchers point to World War II. They say Prime Minister Winston Churchill was briefed on UFO sightings by pilots. Files suggest he ordered a cover-up. He reportedly feared public panic. He also started secret projects to study the phenomena.
While officials stayed quiet, civilians kept seeing strange things. One town, Warminster, became a famous hotspot in the 1960s. It started on Christmas Eve 1964. A woman was woken by a terrible noise like crashing tiles. The next day, others felt strange vibrations.
Soon, many residents reported odd lights and buzzing sounds. Hundreds gathered to discuss it. The national press arrived. A local man even photographed a disc-shaped object. Warminster became known as the place to see “flying saucers.”
More recently, the Yorkshire coast has had many sightings. A research group set up cameras there in 2009. In 2020, they captured startling footage. They filmed an object rising from the North Sea. It traveled six miles in 90 seconds before diving back underwater. The group says they have no explanation for the glowing, underwater lights they have recorded.
From forests to coastal towns, the UK’s history is full of mysterious aerial reports. While some cases may have ordinary explanations, others continue to puzzle experts and captivate the public.