Golf Hotel Whiskey

Golf Hotel Whiskey: for pilots and aviation enthusiasts

Airports

Wolverhampton Halfpenny Green (EGBO)

Airport information

Nearest town: Stourbridge (18m by car), Staffordshire

PPR: Yes

ICAO: EGBO

Phone: 01384 221 350 (Airport Administrator); 01384 221 378 or 08081 003 362 (ATC).

Website: www.wolverhamptonairport.co.uk, Wikipedia entry

Landing fees: £10 – £45 plus an additional £15.00 per tonne.

Runway: 1182m x 30m, Asphalt; 1067m x 23m, Asphalt; 604m x 18m, Asphalt

Opening times: Winter – 0900-1700; Summer – 0800-1700.

Fuel: AVTUR JET A-1, AVGAS 100LL, AL48

AIP plates and airport diagram (PDF format)

Airport map

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Airport services

  • Handling: 01384 221 350
  • Taxis: Airport Transfers (01902 894 294), APS Luxury Travel (01902 896 028) and Signal Cars (01902 700 900).
  • Car Hire: MHL Self Drive (01902 771 344), Enterprise (01384 424 666, www.enterprise.com) and Terminus Contract Hire (01902 420 204).
  • Passenger facilities: Restaurant. Customs and immigration by arrangement.
  • Fixed wing charter: Halfpenny Green Flight Centre (01384 221 456) and The Flying School Ltd. (01384 221 700).
  • Rotary charter: Heliflight UK Ltd. (01384 221 215).
  • Microlight & flexwing charter: Hadair (01214 578 337 & 01384 221 130).

Pubs

  • The Great Western, Wolverhampton (01902 351 090). CAMRA National Pub of the Year 1991.
  • The Codsall Station, Wolverhampton (01902 847 061). Friendly traditional pub with an annual beer festival.
  • Windsor Castle Inn, Lye (01384 893 666). Excellent menu with an emphasis on real ale.

Restaurants

  • French Connection, Sturbridge (01384 390 940). Classic French cuisine with good wine list.
  • Lyttleton Arms, Hagley (01562 882 213). Seasonal menu with a bias towards local produce.
  • Bhan Thai, Kingswinford (01384 292 002).

Hotels

  • Himley Country Hotel, Himley (08706 096 112, www.himleycountry-hotel.co.uk). Renovated Victorian schoolhouse.
  • Blakelands Country House, Stourbridge (01384 221 000, www.blakelands.co.uk). A 17th Century Grade II listed house set among eight acres of mature walled gardens, orchards, paddocks and one acre carp lake.
  • Kingfisher, Kingswinford (01384 273 763, www.kingfisher-hotel.co.uk).

Golf courses

  • Halfpenny Green Golf Course and Driving Range, Dudley, 01902 326 682.
  • Enville Golf Club, Stourbridge (01384 872 074, www.envillegolfclub.com). English Golf Union seniors championship 2007 and The Open Regional Qualifier 2007-2011.
  • Swindon Golf Club, Swindon (01902 895 226, www.swindongolfclub.co.uk). An 18 hole parkland course with abundant wildlife.

Attractions

  • Stourbridge Canal Arm (01384 375 912). Trips on the Blackcountry Man narrowboat.
  • Wolverhampton Racecourse (www.wolverhampton-racecourse.co.uk). Britain’s first floodlit all-weather racecourse.
  • Moseley Old Hall, Wolverhampton (01902 782 808). Elizabethan House, famous for its association with King Charles II.

Useful information

Hawarden (Chester) (EGNR)

Airport information

Nearest town: Chester (17m by car), Cheshire

PPR: Yes

ICAO: EGNR

Phone: 01244 522 012 (ATC); 01244 522 013 (PPR)

Website: www.chesterairport.co.uk, Wikipedia entry

Landing fees:

Runway: 2043m x 45m, Asphalt/Concrete

Opening times: Winter – Mon 0630-1900; Tue-Fri 0730-1900; Sat & Sun 0930-1600; Summer – Mon 0530-1800; Tue-Fri 0630-1800; Sat & Sun 0830-1500.

Fuel: AVTUR JET A-1, AVGAS 100LL

AIP plates and airport diagram (PDF format)

Airport map

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Airport services

  • Handling: Chester Handling Services Ltd. (01244 536 853).
  • Taxis: Joe-La-Taxi (01244 533 737), Chester Mini Bus (01244 679 928) and Chester Radio Taxis (01244 372 372).
  • Car Hire: National (01244 390 008, www.nationalcar.co.uk), Maincrest Hire (01244 380 038) and Enterprise (01244 399 393, www.enterprise.com).
  • Passenger facilities: Passenger lounge, conference facilities, free wireless internet access, free parking, and a fully fitted self-service refreshment and kitchen area with complimentary snacks for executive clients. Customs and immigration.
  • Charter: Contact handling company to arrange.

Pubs

  • The Mount Inn, Chester (01244 317 688). Friendly locals’ backstreet pub.
  • The Farndon Arms, Farndon, Chester (01829 270 570). Open fire in the winter and decent food.
  • Greyhound Inn, Saughall, Chester (01244 880 205). Lovely village pub with four ales on tap and good menu.

Restaurants

  • Franc’s, Chester (01244 317 952). A 15-year-old veteran, one of the city’s favourites – dependable French cuisine.
  • Restaurant at the Curzon Hotel, Chester (01244 678 581). Monthly-changing menu and a good wine list.
  • The Living Room, Chester (08704 422 805). Classy piano bar and restaurant serving simple quality food and great cocktails.

Hotels

  • Green Bough Hotel, Chester (01244 326 241, www.greenbough.co.uk). Small luxury hotel, multi award-winning.
  • Chester Grosvenor (01244 324 024, www.chestergrosvenor.com). Grade II listed building with modern elegant interior and full luxury spa.
  • Rowton Hall, Chester (01244 335 262, www.rowtonhall.co.uk). Country house and spa in Georgian manor house, with individually designed bedrooms.

Golf courses

  • Westminster Park Municipal Golf Course, Chester (01244 680 231).
  • Chester Golf Club (01244 671 185, www.chestergolfclub.co.uk). Meadowland course on two levels within a loop of the River Dee.
  • Hawarden Golf Club, Hawarden (01244 520 809, www.hawardengolfclub.co.uk). An 18 hole par 69 parkland course set in mature meadowland.

Attractions

  • Chester Zoo (www.chesterzoo.org). One of the country’s best.
  • Chester Cathedral (www.chestercathedral.com). Founded as a Benedictine Monastery in 1092.
  • Grosvenor Museum, Chester (01244 402 008). Fascinating collection of local history, including Roman Chester.

Useful information

Headcorn Lashenden (EGKH)

Airport information

Nearest town: Tenterden (14m by car), Kent

PPR: Yes

ICAO: EGKH

Phone: 01622 890 226; 01622 890 236 (Outside normal Aerodrome hours)

Wevsite: www.headcornaerodrome.co.uk, Wikipedia entry

Landing fees: £10 – £15, waived if 40 or more litres of fuel are uplifted.

Runway: 840m x 30m, Grass

Opening times: 0900-sunset and by arrangement.

Fuel: AVGAS 100LL, Jet A1 for business users only or emergencies.

AIP plates and airport diagram

Airport map

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Airport services

  • Taxis: MTC Cars (01622 890 003), Wealden Cars (01580 291 199) and Maidstone Taxi Co (01622 890 003)
  • Car Hire: Hertz (01622 734677, www.hertz.com), Ashford Self Hire (01233 626407, www.ashfordselfhire.co.uk) and Practical Car and Van Rental (01622 750191, www.practical.co.uk)
  • Passenger facilities: Free parking, Holding Point café, fully licensed bar, kids’ play area and local Kentish lamb for sale. Customs and immigration by arrangement.
  • Charter: 01622 891 539
  • Flying schools: Weald Air Services Ltd.

Pubs

  • Smarden Bell, Smarden (01233 770 283). Warm and welcoming country pub with an excellent menu.
  • The George and Dragon, Headcorn (01622 890 239). Good beers, bar snacks and separate restaurant.
  • The Chequers Inn, Smarden (01233 770 217). A 14th century coaching inn, Greene King Southern Regional Caterer of the Year 2005.

Restaurants

  • The Rose and Crown at Mundy Bois, Smarden (01233 840 393). Fully traceable local produce, a la carte and bar menus. Off the beaten track in lush Kentish countryside.
  • West House, Bidden den (01580 291 341). Modern British in this good value, smoothly-run local destination.
  • Thai Orchid, Tenterden (01580766 088).

Hotels

Golf courses

Attractions

  • Leeds Castle (www.leeds-castle.com). Stunning attraction set on two islands in the river Len.
  • Rare Breeds Centre, Woodchurch (01233 861 493, www.rarebreeds.org.uk). Charity trust set in 120 acres of parkland.
  • Biddenden Vineyards (01580 291 726, www.biddendenvineyards.com). Home of famous Kentish bottled cider as well as grape varieties.

Useful information

Aberdeen Dyce (EGPD)

Airport information

Nearest town: Dyce (5m from Aberdeen), Scotland

PPR: Yes

ICAO: EGPD

Phone: 08700 400 006 (Aberdeen Airport Ltd); 01224 723 714 (NATS Ltd).

Website: www.aberdeenairport.com, Wikipedia entry

Landing fees:£4.63 for the first 25MT and £5.15 thereafter.

Runway: 1829m x 46m, Grooved Asphalt; 260m x 23m, Asphalt; 476m x 36m, Asphalt; 581m x 36m, Asphalt.

Opening times: Summer – 0510-2130. Fixed wing aircraft only (PPR) – 2130-0510; Winter – 0610-2230. Fixed wing aircraft only (PPR) – 2230-0610.

Fuel: AVGAS 100LL, AVTUR JET A-1

AIP plates and airport diagram

Airport map

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Airport services

  • Taxis: ComCab (01224 353 535).
  • Car Hire: Hertz (08708 502 660), Avis (08445 446 010), Europcar (08706 086 327), National (01224 595 366 ), Enterprise (01224 348 484), and Budget (01224 771 777).
  • Nearest railway stations: Dyce 2 nm
  • Passenger facilities: Two Hotels, 500 meters. Restaurant/buffet and bar. Bureau de Change. First aid treatment. Customs and immigration.

Pubs

  • Cock and Bull, Ellon Rd, Blairton, Balmedie (01358 743 249, www.thecockandbull.co.uk). Whitewashed 19th century pub and conservatory complete with North Sea views and bags of atmosphere, courtesy of characterful artefacts.
  • The Grill, 213 Union St, Aberdeen (08719 170 007). The ultimate whisky pub.
  • The Prince of Wales, 7 St Nicholas Lane, Aberdeen (08719 170 007). The emphasis here is on beer with an ever growing and solid selection of drams.

Restaurants

  • The Eating Room, 239 Great Western Rd, Aberdeen (01224 212 125, www.eatingroom.com). Small, contemporary restaurant in a granite house.
  • Nargile, 77-79 Skene St., Aberdeen (01224 636 093), Traditionally decorated Turkish restaurant complete with subdued lighting from Turkish lamps and an open-plan kitchen.

Hotels

  • The Marcliffe Hotel & Spa, North Deeside Road, Pitsfodels, Aberdeen (01224 861 000, www.slh.com/pitfodels). A country house nestled among eight acres of landscaped, wooded gardens on the outskirts of Aberdeen with access to the Royal Aberdeen Golf Club and some of Scotland’s best fishing.
  • Norwood Hall, Gathdee Road, Cults, Aberdeen (1224 868 951, www.norwood-hall.co.uk). The warm Victorian mansion in the leafy West End of Aberdeen offers log fires, wooded grounds, secluded gardens and the best of Scottish hospitality.
  • Mercure Ardoe House Aberdeen, South Deeside Road, Blairs, Aberdeen (01224 860 600). Inspired by the royal residence of Balmoral Castle, this 4 Star 19th Century mansion house offers 109 en suite rooms with state of the art conveniences.

Golf courses

  • Royal Aberdeen Golf, Links Road, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen (01224 702 571, www.royalaberdeengolf.com). The sixth oldest golf course in the world.

Activities

  • Footdee. A lovely 19th century fishing village just south of Aberdeen‘s harbour. All the cottages face inwards in squares away from the ocean.
  • Codona’s Amusement Park and The Boardwalk, Beach Boulevard, Aberdeen (01224 595 910, www.codonas.com). A seafront complex with a live music and entertainment stage, a 3D motion ride theatre, an amusement park with roller-coasters, and all the other usual gut-churning rides.
  • Duthie Park, Polmuir Rd, Aberdeen. (01224 523 201). Founded in 1883, 44 acres of exotic international plants, a Japanese water garden, a reindeer park, and a tropical glasshouse of birds, fish, and plants.
  • Gordon Highlanders Museum, St Luke’s, Viewfield Road, Aberdeen (01224 311 200, www.gordonhighlanders.com). A vibrant military museum housing uniforms, weapons, medals and the diaries of soldiers who served with this historic regiment.

Useful information

Coventry (EGBE)

Airport information

Nearest town: Baginton (3nm from Coventry city centre), Warwickshire.

PPR: Yes

ICAO: EGBE

Phone: 02476 308 600 (Administration), 02476 308 638 (ATC).

Website: www.coventryairport.co.uk, Wikipedia entry.

Landing fees: Up to 5 tonnes, £12.00: Over 5 tonnes up to 60 tonnes, £15.00; Over 60 tonnes, £18.00.

Runway: 2008m x 46m, Asphalt.

Opening times: Summer – Mon-Fri 0700-2359; Sat & Sun 0700-1700. Winter – Mon-Fri 0800-0100; Sat & Sun 0800-1800.

Fuel: AVTUR JET A-1, AVGAS 100LL.

AIP plates and airport diagram

Airport map

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Airport services

  • Handling: Not mandatory for aircraft under nine tonnes. If handling required: Midwest Executive.
  • Taxis: Allens (02476 555 555), Lewis (02476 666 666), and Central (02476 333 333).
  • Car Hire: Budget (02476 228 100). Coventry car hire branches include Avis (08445 446 051), Europcar (02476 502 111), and National (2476 677 042).
  • Nearest railway stations: Coventry 2.7m
  • Passenger facilities: Hotels in the vicinity (1 mile). A 20 seat executive lounge available on request. First aid available from the Airport Fire Service. ATM Facility and Post box in South Terminal. Customs and immigration available on request.
  • Flying schools: AWA Flying Group (www.flyawa.co.uk) and Coventry Aeroplane Club (02476 301 428, www.covaero.com)

Pubs

  • The White Horse, Kenilworth Road, Coventry (01676 533 207, www.thewhitehorseatbc.co.uk). Spacious, contemporary bar lounge serving generous portions of classics and rotisserie.
  • Bull & Butcher, Common Lane, Corley, Coventry, West Midlands (01676 540 241). A classic countryside pub serving fabulous, truly home cooked meals.
  • Town Wall, Bond Street, Coventry, Warwickshire (02476 220 963). Busy Victorian town local with real ales.
  • Whitefriars, 114-115 Gosford Street, Coventry, Warwickshire (02476 251 655). Housed in a pair of well preserved medieval town houses with lots of ancient beams, timbers and furniture, flagstones, cobbles and coal fire.

Restaurants

  • Simply Simpsons, 101-103 Warwick Rd, Kenilworth (01926 864 567, www.simplysimpsons.co.uk). Hearty and robust classically based dishes and tried-and-tested daily specials.
  • Oscar’s, 39 Chandos St., Royal Leamington Spa (01926 452 807, www.oscarsfrenchbistro.co.uk). Accomplished French bistro cooking and noted for its steak specialities.
  • Bosquet, 97a Warwick Rd., Kenilworth (01926 852 463, www.restaurantbosquet.co.uk). Contemporary French restaurant near centre of town.

Hotels

  • Old Mill Inn, Mill Hill, Baginton, Coventry (02476 302 241). A charming pub and hotel housed in a converted watermill whose origins date back to the Domesday Book.
  • Britannia Royal Court Hotel, Tamworth Road, Coventry (08712 220 096). This 19th century manor house amid 11 acres of gardens and parkland has become the largest hotel in Coventry, complete with its own leisure club.
  • Stoneleigh Park Lodge, Stoneleigh Park, Coventry (02476 690 123, stoneleighparklodge.com) Situated in the National Agricultural Centre, home to The Royal Show and just opposite The Royal Pavillion.

Golf courses

  • Marriott Forest of Arden Golf Club, Maxstoke Lane, Meriden, Coventry, West Midlands (01676 522 335). One of the UK’s top hotel and golf venues, boasting 2 fine courses and a wide range of top class leisure facilities.
  • Brandon Wood Golf Course & Driving Range, Brandon Lane, Wolston, Nr Coventry, West Midlands (02476 543 141, www.brandonwood.co.uk). In the heart of the countryside along the banks of the River Avon.

Activities

  • St. Michael’s Cathedral, 1 Hill Top, Coventry (02476 521 200, www.coventrycathedral.org.uk). Coventry’s most notable landmark, the original 14th century cathedral was largely destroyed by German bombing during World War II.
  • Warwick Castle, Warwick Castle, Warwick, Warwickshire (08704 422 000, www.warwick-castle.co.uk). Built by William the Conqueror on a bluff at a bend on the River Avon.
  • Kenilworth Castle, Kenilworth, Warwickshire (01212 002 700). The retirement home of Henry V after Agincourt.
  • National Motorcycle Museum, Coventry Road, Bickenhill, Solihull, West Midlands (01675 443311, www.nationalmotorcyclemuseum.co.uk). Easily the finest and largest motorcycle museum in the world.
  • Midland Air Museum, Coventry Airport (02476 301 033, www.midlandairmuseum.co.uk). Adjacent to Coventry Airport, the museum displays a wide range of aircraft with a special emphasis on those made by Armstrong Whitworth (Hawker Siddeley Group).

Useful information

Farnborough (EGLF)

Airport information

Nearest town: Farnborough (7m by car), Hampshire

PPR: Yes

ICAO: EGLF

Phone: 01252 526 701

Website: Tag Aviation. Wikipedia entry

Landing fees:

Runway: 2,440m x 46m, Asphalt/Concrete.

Opening times: Summer – Mon-Fri 0700-2200; Sat, Sun, & Bank Holidays 0800-2000. Winter – Mon-Fri 0600-2100; Sat, Sun, & Bank Holidays 0700-1900.

Fuel: AVGAS 110LL, AVTUR JET A-1

AIP plates and airport diagram

Airport map

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Airport services

  • Handling: Tag Aviation (01252 379 000).
  • Taxis: Aviacars (08708 508 073, located at the airfield), A-Line Taxi Service (01252 377 500), Airport and West End Transfer (01252 548 015).
  • Car Hire: Hertz (01252 516 137, www.hertz.co.uk), Enterprise (01252 336 633, www.enterprise.com), G Force Economy Car Hire (01252 341 551).
  • Nearest railway stations: Farnborough Main (1 nm); North Camp (1 nm).
  • Passenger facilities: Hotel on site plus several hotels and restaurants within 2nm of the airport. Lounges with conference rooms and catering, crew lounge with wi-fi and satellite television and a full service café. Limited first aid treatment. Customs and immigration by arrangement.
  • UK home of Flight Safety.

Pubs

  • The Prince of Wales, 184 Rectory Rd, Farnborough (01252 545 578). Traditional pub with a good selection of ales.
  • The Old Courthouse, 80 Cove Road, Cove (01252 543 031).
  • The Garden Gate, Church Lane East, Aldershot (01252 321 051). Very welcoming local pub with a weekly bluegrass night.

Restaurants

  • Galicia, 35 Queen’s Road, Farnborough (01252 518 784). Decent Spanish cuisine.
  • Zaffron, 1-2 Firgrove Parade Victoria Road, Farnborough (01252 517 070). Good Indian cuisine with a fashionable over-25s bar.
  • Popadoms, 33 Medway Drive, Farnborough (01252 376 869). Anglo-Indian cuisine with some Nepalese specialties and all locally sourced ingredients.

Hotels

  • Falcon Hotel (01252 545378, www.falconfarnborough.com). Some rooms have a view of the airport. Most people wouldn’t like this. Pilots would.

Golf courses

Activities

Useful information