Golf Hotel Whiskey

Golf Hotel Whiskey: for pilots and aviation enthusiasts

Airports

White Waltham (EGLM)

Nearest town: Maidenhead (4 miles by car), Berkshire

Opening Times: Winter – 0800- to S+ 30 and by arrangement; Summer – 0700 to SS+ 30 or 1900 if earlier and by arrangement.

Longest Runway: 1110m

Fuel: AVTUR JET A1, AVGAS 100LL

Phone: 01628 823272.

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

AIP: plates and airport diagram

Note: White Waltham is a PPR airfield

Airport Map

[post-geocode zoom=”14″]

Airport services

  • Handling: West London Aero Club (01628 823272, ops@wlac.co.uk)
  • Taxis: Berkshire Taxis (01628 823636), Express Taxis (01628 777981), Maidenhead & Marlow Taxi (01628 634000), Mayfair Cars (01628 628899),U-Want Taxi Service (01628 622110). Note: All these services are based out of Maidenhead, not at the airfield itself.
  • Car Hire: Practical Car and Van Rental (01628 777100, www.practical.co.uk), Abbey Car Hire (01628 529059). Note: All these services are based out of Maidenhead, not at the airfield itself.
  • Facilities at airport: Bar and Restaurant, fully equipped room for meetings
  • Flying Schools: West London Aero Club (01628 823272, ops@wlac.co.uk)

Pubs

  • The Stag and Hounds, Lee Lane, Pinkneys Green, Maidenhead (01628 630268). A bit of a hidden gem, this one is a very friendly pub with no frills, but some good real ales and homestyle cooking.
  • Crawford Arms, Gringer Hill, Maidenhead (01628 625153). Quite a small pub, but welcoming hosts and a nice atmosphere, including a jukebox.

Restaurants

  • West London Aero Club, White Waltham Airfield, White Waltham (01628 823799). An extremely convenient option at the airfield, with a very lively atmosphere and the attraction of shop talk.
  • Fat Duck, High Street, Maidenhead (01628 580333, www.fatduck.co.uk). Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant with a very innovative menu and extensive wine list.
  • The Waterside Inn, Ferry Road, Bray (01628 620691, www.waterside-inn.co.uk). Another high end restaurant serving French cuisine, with the added attraction of views over the Thames from the restaurant terrace.
  • The Emperor of India, Windsor Road, Braywick (01628 624100). Smartly done-up and popular Indian restaurant; the food here is not your average curry-house quality.

Hotels

  • Sunny Cottage Guest House, Manor Lane, Maidenhead (01628 770731, www.sunnycottagebb.co.uk). Located close to the Maidenhead train station and convenient as a base for driving to the many towns in the region, Sunny Cottage is regarded as a very comfortable B&B with highly personalised service and excellent breakfasts.
  • The Bakehouse, 31, Wellington Road, Maidenhead (01628 778858, www.maidenheadbakehouse.co.uk). Originally a bakery in the early 20th C., this is now a charming B&B that has been variously described as ‘cosy’, ‘welcoming’, ‘impressive’ and ‘family-style’.
  • Walton Cottage Hotel,  Marlow Road, Maidenhead (01628 624394), www.waltoncottagehotel.co.uk). A friendly and comfortable hotel that has a ‘Poets Parlour’ lounge, equipped with a nice fire in winter; there are suites too for those staying a longer time.

Golf Courses

  • Bird Hills (UK) Ltd., Drift Road, Hawthorn Hill, Near Maidenhead (01628 771030, www.birdhills.co.uk). A par 72 course set in the Berkshire countryside.
  • Maidenhead Golf Club, Shoppenhangers Road, Maidenhead (01628 624693, www.maidenheadgolf.co.uk). A 100-year old challenging course. Visitors with a handicap are welcome on weekdays.
  • Temple Golf Club, Henley Road, Hurley, Near Maidenhead (01628 824248, www.templegolfclub.co.uk). A par 70 course with beautiful views of parkland and of the Thames. Visitors need a handicap certificate.
  • Winter Hill Golf Club, Grange Lane, Cookham High Street, Maidenhead (01628 527613, www.winterhillgolfclub.net). Friendly and welcoming club open to visitors. A putting green is available for beginners.

Activities

  • White Waltham boasts of a very active Friday Afternoon Club that flies out every Friday afternoon along with CFI David Coe to interesting locations in the UK and Europe. (Call 01628 823272 for details of upcoming flights).
  • A visit to the Roman ruins of Calleva Atrebatum, at present day Silchester (http://www.silchester.rdg.ac.uk), near Reading.
  • A visit to Basildon Park, a grand 18th C. mansion featured in a recent film adaption of Jane Austen’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’
  • Wellington Country Park (www.wellington-country-park.co.uk), 350 acres of beautiful parkland, with a lake, nature trails as well as attractions for children.

Useful Information

Wycombe Air Park (EGTB)

Airport information

Nearest town: High Wycombe (3 miles by car), Buckinghamshire

Opening Times: Winter: 0900-1600 and by arrangement; Summer: 0800-1630 and by arrangement.

Longest Runway: 735m, Asphalt

Fuel: AVTUR JET A-1, AVGAS 100LL

Phone: 01494 529261

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

AIP: plates and airport diagram

Landing fees: From £13 for light, single-engine aircraft

Airport Map

[post-geocode zoom=”14″]

Airport services

  • Taxis: Neales Taxis (01494 522555), Dick’s Taxi Service (01494 442799), DS EXecutive Taxi (01494 535293), Academy Private Hire (01494 535600), Eagle Taxis (01494 444414), Associated Taxis (01494 527272)
  • Car Hire: Hopper Hire (01494 474600), Euro Car Drive Rental (01494 258401), Bucks Car Hire (01494 463277), United Rental Group (01494 444075), Practical Car & Van Rental (01494 535000, www.practical.co.uk), Enterprise Rent A Car (01494 444321, www.enterprise.com)
  • Facilities at airport: Bar & Restaurant
  • Charters: Helicopter Services Ltd. (01494 513166, www.helicopterservices.co.uk)
  • Flying Schools: British Airways Flying Club (01494 529262, www.bafc.co.uk), Wycombe Air Centre (01494 443737, www.wycombeaircentre.co.uk), Booker Gliding Centre (01494 442501, www.bookergliding.co.uk)

Pubs

  • The Belle Vue, Gordon Road, High Wycombe (01494 524728). Despite the French name, The Belle Vue is anything but fancy. A comfortable, ‘down-to-earth’ pub, this one serves some very good ales, though the selection keeps changing.
  • Old Queens Head, Hammersley Lane, Penn, High Wycombe (01494 813371, www.oldqueensheadpenn.co.uk). Winner of the ‘Les Routiers’ Pub of the Year Award. Close to some beautiful walks in the Buckingamshire countryside, this pub serves up some excellent food as well.
  • The Royal Standard, Wooburn Common Road, Wooburn Green, High Wycombe (01628 521121). Large-ish pub noted for a very wide choice of real ales.

Restaurants

  • Aubergine at the Compleat Angler, Macdonald Compleat Angler Hotel, Marlow Bridge, Marlow (01628 405405). The country cousin of the well-known London Chelsea restaurent, Aubergine, this one too is a French-style fine dining restaurant.
  • The Sausage Tree, Saffron Road, High Wycombe (01494 452204, www.sausagetreepub.co.uk). An unusual pub-restaurant that serves up a range of gourmet sausages. They also do an interesting grill-on-your-own-table meal.
  • Eat-Thai, 14-15, Easton Street, High Wycombe (01494 532888, www.eat-thai.co.uk). Fresh Thai food in comfortable, modern settings.

Hotels

  • Wendover Arms, 136, Desborough Avenue, High Wycombe (01494 474747, www.wendoverarms.co.uk). A modern pub with five rooms and the promise of some good British as well as Thai food.
  • Squirrel House, 129, New Road, High Wycombe (01494 520709, www.squirrelhouse.co.uk). Nothing unusual about this B&B but it does offer extremely comfortable beds and a very friendly atmosphere.
  • Malvern House, Fernie Fields, Off New Road, High Wycombe (07792 815846, www.malvernguesthouse.co.uk). Family run smallish 4-star hotel that has been variously described as ‘extremely comfortable’, ‘sophisticated’ and ‘exclusive’.

Golf Courses

  • Flackwell Heath Golf Club Ltd., Treadaway Road, Flackwell Heath, High Wycombe (01628 520929, www.fhgc.co.uk). This is a private club that welcomes visitors with a handicap certificate, on weekdays only.
  • Hazlemere Golf Club, Penn Road, Hazlemere (01494 719300, www.hazlemeregolfclub.co.uk). An 18-hole par 70 course set in the beautiful landscape of the Chiltern Hills.

Activities

  • A visit to Wycombe Museum (01494 421895), which has some interesting material on the history of the Buckinghamshire region.
  • The area around Wycombe has some very fine walking trails, including those in the Chiltern Hills.
  • A visit to the Hell-Fire Caves (01494 533739, www.hellfirecaves.co.uk), 300 feet of tunnels and nooks underground containing a lot of local history and the odd ghost.
  • A visit to Hughenden Manor (01494 755573), a Victorian country house that was the home of erstwhile Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli.

Useful Information

Southend (EGMC)

Airport information

Nearest town: Southend-on-Sea (7 miles by car), Essex

Opening Times: 24 hours

Longest Runway: 1605m, Asphalt with friction course

Fuel: AVTUR JET A-1, AVGAS 100LL, Water/Meth 45/55/0

Phone: 01702 608100

Website: www.southendairport.com, Wikipedia entry

AIP: plates and airport diagram

Landing fees: £20 for every tonne of aircraft weight or part thereof

Airport Map

[post-geocode zoom=”14″]

Airport Services

Pubs

  • The Cornucopia, Marine Parade, Southend-on-Sea (01702 460770). Tiny little pub but makes up for it with plenty of character, a friendly welcome and very good ales.
  • The Sutton Arms, Southchurch Road, Southend-on-Sea (01702 469400, www.suttonarms.com). Conveniently located near the town centre, this pub hosts some good live bands and other entertainment over the weekends.
  • The Spread Eagle, Victoria Avenue, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea (01702 213674). Close to the Southend United Football Club, this can sometimes get packed with supporters, but interestingly, the landlord promotes different ales each week.

Restaurants

  • The Glasshouse, 43, Alexandra Street, Southend-on-Sea (01702 348088). High end European restaurant that serves some delicious food with dessert being the highlight.
  • The Bank, 1470, London Road, Leigh-on-Sea (01702 719000, www.thebankonline.co.uk). A comfortable and popular restaurant in what used to be a bank. Offers cafe-style food as well if all you want is a bite.
  • Zabrano, 127, Leigh Road, Leigh-on-Sea (01702 476999, www.zabrano.co.uk). Excellent Italian cooking and a decent wine list make this a good option. Their Sunday roasts and steaks receive good reviews too.

Hotels

  • Pier View, 5, Royal Terrace, Southend-on-Sea (01702 437900, www.pierviewguesthouse.co.uk). A Georgian period hotel that’s been renovated to offer modern amenities. Has lovely views of the Southend pier and estuary.
  • Ilfracombe House Hotel, 9-13, Wilson Road, Southend-on-Sea (01702 351000, www.ilfracombe-hotel.co.uk). A family run hotel with about 20 comfortable rooms and friendly service. Plus, it’s close to the seafront.

Golf Courses

  • Belfairs Park Golf Course, Eastwood Road North, Leigh-on-Sea (01702 525345). A parkland course that is open to visitors, with prior booking.
  • Garon Park Golf Complex, Eastern Avenue, Southend-on-Sea (01702 601701, www.garonparkgolf.co.uk). Large course with 27 holes including a 9 hole par 3 course ideal for beginners.
  • Thorpe Hall Golf Club, Thorpe Hall Avenue, Thorpe Bay (01702 582205, www.thorpehallgc.co.uk).  A 100-year old golf course with a fine bar for the thirsty golfer.
  • Rochford Hundred Golf Club, (01702 544302, www.rochfordhundredgolfclub.co.uk). A flat parkland 18-hole course in beautiful surroundings.

Activities

  • A visit to Southend Pier and Museum. While Southend Pier is well known as the longest pier in the world, the Southend Pier Museum (www.southendpiermuseum.co.uk) is a little more hidden away. Worth a visit for its displays of old trains, trams and machines.
  • Take the funicular ‘Cliff Railway’ from the seafront up to Clifftown. This is a relic of Southend’s heydays in the 1950s when day-trippers from London would besiege the town on weekends.
  • Art lovers will find the Beecroft Gallery (01702 347418, www.beecroft-art-gallery.co.uk) of interest with some valuable permanent exhibits (including 17th C. Dutch paintings) as well as many exhibitions through the year.
  • If you have the time, there are many beaches in the vicinity of Southend, including the Bell Wharf, Westcliff Beach, Three Shells Beach and Jubilee Beach.

Useful Information

Deauville (LFRG)

I flew to Deauville yesterday with the missus and a couple of friends. It was a lovely, blue-sky day.

Deauville airport (LFRG) is small and friendly. It has an ILS and a long runway so it’s easy to get into. Sea fogs can cause problems, as with many airports in northern France. In the summer, visitors park on the grass but yesterday I parked on the main apron. Customs and landing fees take minutes and every time I have been there a taxi has always been waiting outside. The only frustration is that it can take a while to get a clearance and taxi instructions to get airborne (20 minutes yesterday).

[post-geocode zoom=”14″]

Honfleur, a 15-minute cab ride, is a beautiful harbour town. It reminds me a little of Brixham and Dartmouth, near where I grew up.

Honfleur harbour

Avoid the harbour-side tourist cafes and walk a minute or two into the town for lunch at L’Homme De Bois (30, Rue Homme de Bois). It’s quieter and quainter with a great (mainly) seafood menu.

Mungo to Deauville 014

There is also an excellent ice cream parlour right by the harbour.

Mungo to Deauville 019

Saanen (LSGK)

When it comes to unusual airports in mountainous area, Saanen comes after Sion and before Samedan. You probably don’t know where Saanen is, but you certainly already heard of the nearby town of Gstaad, in the Berner Oberland. The approach to Saanen is unusual because of the surrounding high grounds. The runway length is not an issue as it is an ex-airforce base. Because of the intense VIP activity in Gstaad, you’ll see many turboprops and even some light jets in Saanen.

[post-geocode zoom=”14″]

Saanen is an un-controlled airfield which requires PPR. Practically, you have to call (+41 33 744 40 25) before flying there. The AFIS is almost always active and will inform you about the runway in use… most of time it is runway 26. What makes Saanen a bit tricky is that there is no room to fly a standard pattern. The approach for runway 26 starts with overhead, flying away from the airport on the runway axis…

The “pattern” then includes a right turn above a crest, and a loop around Gstaad, before coming back on final. Do not overfly the town, as there are many VIPs relaxing there. Describing this approach is not easy, so I built a Google Earth picture of it…

The airport plate says that an initiation is recommended, due to the particular approach. The biggest trick is is to manage descent while on the extended base leg, because the runway comes back in sight only on final. The unpublished tip to make it easier is to aim at the white church located right of the threshold. The end of base and begin of final must be flown relatively low over ground to avoid coming high on short final. In summer, intense glider and para-gliders makes the thing even funnier. The good thing is that the AFIS makes a great job at informing aircraft about each other.

Compared to the approach and landing, departing Saanen is really a non-event. The airport has no IFR procedures at all. If you want to file a Y or Z flight plan, a good joining / leaving point is the Fribourg (FRI) VOR, a few miles away on the G5 airway. During my last visit to Saanen, I made this video guide which showing approach and departure.

Saanen is not really a golf destination, but it is great for skiing in the winter, but don’t forget to call before you fly in, it could be that the runway is not clear of snow… During your stay you will have to eat at least one “meringue” with double cream. The best hotel in Gstaad is the “Gstaad Palace“, which is easy to spot while you fly the pattern: it is a square-ish castle with a single tower. You can reserve the cheapest room for 410 CHF per night, but the Penthouse Suite will cost you 9’700 CHF per night.

Jersey (EGJJ)

Airport information

Nearest town: St.Helier (5 miles by car), Jersey

Opening Times: Winter: 0700-2100 and by arrangement; Summer: 0600-2030; and by arrangement

Longest Runway: 1706m, Asphalt

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

Phone: 01534 446109

Website: www.jerseyairport.com, Wikipedia entry

AIP: plates and airport diagram

Landing fees: £4 for each metric tonne of the authorized weight of the aircraft (Passenger and security charges extra for flights carrying passengers)

Airport map

[post-geocode zoom=”14″]

Airport services

Pubs

  • The Lamplighter, Mulcaster Street, St. Helier, Jersey (01534 510096). One of the more popular pubs on the island, this one serves a good selection of real ales; its facade displays an imposing ‘Britannia’ figure carved by John Philippe Giffard, local stone-carver of some notoriety.
  • Town House, new Street, St. Helier, Jersey (01534 615000). Large and comfortable two-in-one pub with one room acting as a sports bar and the other a quieter one. Serves up some hearty pub fare.
  • Old Court House Inn, Le Boulevard, St. Aubin, Jersey (01534 746433). Cosy pub in an old 15th century hotel, with views across over the harbour.

Restaurants

  • Aviator Restaurant, Arrivals Terminal, Jersey Airport. Food, as well as coffee and pastries at this airport restaurant with fine views of the runway as well as the coast.
  • Bohemia, Green Street, St. Helier, Jersey (01534 880588, www.bohemiajersey.com). Sophisticated yet comfortable restaurant that makes great use of local produce. A fine wine list is part of the attractions.
  • Cafe Poste, La Rue da la Ville es Renauds, Grouville, Jersey (01534 859696). Friendly restaurant with a interesting menu, in an old post office. Caters to vegetarians and those who need gluten-free/dairy-free options as well.

Hotels

  • Pomme d’Or, Liberation Square, St. Helier, Jersey (08704 867462, http://www.seymourhotels.com/PommedOrHotel). A 100 year old hotel, very friendly, most comfortable and in the liveliest part of St. Helier.
  • Caverna, Simon Place, St. Helier, Jersey (01534 873366, www.cavernajersey.com). A typical B&B in a fairly central location, but the highlight is that it offers a single room for the solo traveller.
  • The Royal Yacht, Weighbridge, St. Helier, Jersey (01534 720511, www.theroyalyacht.com). A 4-star luxurious hotel on the waterfront catering to those up for a bit of indulgence. The spa at the hotel is a big hit with travellers.

Golf Courses

  • Jersey Recreation Grounds, St. Clement, Jersey (01534 21938). Open to golfers of all abilities.
  • Wheatlands Golf Course and Country Hotel, St. Peter, Jersey (01534 888844, www.wheatlandsgolf.com). A challenging 9-hole golf course set out in 30 acres of parkland and structured beautifully around the natural habitat.
  • Royal Jersey Golf Club, Grouville, Jersey (01534 854416, www.royaljersey.com). A 129 year old club that requires proof of handicap.

Activities

  • A Visit to Mont Orgueil, Gorey, St. Martin, Jersey (www.jerseyheritagetrust.org), a 13th C. castle built to protect the island from the French. This is considered one of the best preserved castles in Britain.
  • Occupation Tapesty Gallery, New North Quay, St. Helier, Jerset For war history buffs, a museum detailing life in Jersey during the German occupation. There is also a Maritime Museum at the same location.
  • La Hougue Bie, Grouville, Jersey (www.prehistoricjersey.net), an excavated neolithic burial mound with geology and archaeology galleries nearby.

Useful Information