Golf Hotel Whiskey

Golf Hotel Whiskey: for pilots and aviation enthusiasts

England

Biggin Hill (EGKB)

Airport information

Nearest town: London (21m by car)

Opening Times:

  • Winter: Mon-Fri 0730-2100; Sat, Sun and PH 0900-2000. Extensions by arrangement.
  • Summer: Mon-Fri 0630-2000; Sat, Sun and PH 0800-1900. Extensions by arrangement.

Longest Runway: 1802m, Tarmac

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

Phone: 01959-578500

Website: www.bigginhillairport.com, Wikipedia entry

AIP: plates and airport diagram

Airport map

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Airport services

  • Handling: From £50 (for aircraft 4000 kg and under) to £212 (for aircraft 30,000-40,000 kg), and £30 for every 10 tonnes. Handling by airport’s own Ground Handling Agency (01959 578 552, handling@bigginhillairport.com)
  • Taxis: Arvee (01959 562091), Airport Cars (01959 540550), Cannon Cars (0500 464546), Discovery Cars (01959 570505), Main Cars (01959 576576). Note: Except Discovery Cars, all other services operate out of Westerham, not from the airport itself.
  • Facilities at airport: Club lounge with a pool table, cafe bar
  • Charters: Air Partner Private Jets (01959 575856, www.airpartner.com), Interflight (01959 575800, www.interflight.co.uk), London Executive Aviation (01708 688420, www.flylea.com), Markoss Aviation (01959 570559), MAS Airways (01293 825197),  PlaneChartering (01273 248800)
  • Flying Schools: Alouette Flying Club (01959 573243, www.alouette.org.uk), Biggin Hill School of Flying (01959 573583, www.cabair.com), British Disabled Flying Club (01959 576759, www.bdfa.net), Surrey & Kent Flying Club (01959 572255, www.sandk.flyer.co.uk)

Pubs

  • General Wolfe, High St., Westerham (0871 9170007). Cozy pub known for friendly service and its sunny patio garden.
  • The Old Jail, Jail Lane, Biggin Hill (0871 9170007). Set in a spacious, leafy garden, this pub displays some wartime RAF memorabilia of interest to pilots.
  • Royal Oak, Main Road, Crockam Hill, Westerham (0871 917 0007). Village pub popular with locals for the Kentish Shepherd Neame beer. Convenient stop for walks in the area.

Restaurants

  • Rendezvous, 26, Market Square, Westerham (01959 561408, www.rendezvous-brasserie.co.uk). Prides itself on freshly prepared French food in a café-style setting.
  • Haxted Mill Riverside Brasserie and Bar, Haxted Road, Edenbridge (01732 862914, www.haxtedmill.co.uk). 13 kms away from Biggin Hill, but makes a claim due to its fine food and very beautiful setting in the Kentish countryside. Much awarded restaurant.

Hotels

  • Kings Arms Hotel, Market Square, Westerham (01959 562990, www.the-kingsarms.com). Conveniently located and friendly B&B in central Westerham.
  • Chalk Lane Hotel, Epsom, Surrey (01372 721179, www.chalklanehotel.com). Tucked away in a corner of old Epsom; convenient for trips to Hampton Court Palace or Windsor Castle.
  • Foxbrush Barn, Collier Street, Tonbridge (01892 730934). Truly delicious B&B, with guests raving about the meals cooked by the owner, an ex-chef.

Golf courses

  • Park Wood Golf Club, Westerham (01959 577744, www.parkwoodgolf.co.uk).
  • Cherry Lodge Golf Club, Biggin Hill, Westerham (01959 572250, www.cherrylodgegc.co.uk). On the outskirts of Biggin Hill, a very convenient golf club for pilots that welcomes visitors.
  • Westerham Golf Club, (01959 567115, www.westerhamgc.co.uk). Very popular golf course despite being a relatively young 12 years old.

Activities

  • On the airport, St. George’s chapel of remembrance, a memorial to aircrew that died flying from the Biggin Hill sector during WWII. (A visitor information centre with Battle of Britain information is due to open in 2009).
  • A big event on the global aviation calendar is the annual Biggin Hill International Air Show (27th and 28th June, 2009)
  • A visit to Chartwell, family home of Sir Winston Churchill, with a museum of Churchill photographs and memorabilia, and beautiful countryside walks.

Useful information

The New Angel, near Exeter

New Angel

Stuart Ungar, ModernPilot.com’s own gastronaut flies into Exeter to check on John Burton Race’s New Angel in Dartmouth.  Is the TV celebrity chef as flamboyant on the plate as he is on the screen?

I confess I would fly hundreds of miles for a great meal. The reviews on this website are evidence of this passion to savour delicious tastes. However, as I get older my desires have leaned away from complicated dishes with exotic sauces and more towards simpler dishes, well prepared from excellent ingredients.  As a dedicated hedonist that special effort to travel a great distance to ‘live off the land’ makes the occasion more special than going to that same restaurant if it were a short distance from home. Consequently on these focused expeditions the chef has much more work to do to impress me than he might do if I were grazing on my home patch. Having said all this a 150 mile journey to The New Angel was undoubtedly worth the trouble.

John Burton Race’s latest venture, The New Angel, in Dartmouth, Devon is housed in a half-timbered building right on the quay.  The natural beauty of Devon, and especially the spectacular setting on the River Dart, is a wonderful environment to enjoy a leisurely lunch. The sunlight reflecting off the water a few yards away from my table lit the unfussy dining room and gave it a brilliant, very alive feel. Quayside Setting

I have followed John Burton Race since he managed The Petit Blanc in Oxford in the early 1980s. When he opened L’Ortolan, near Reading, in 1986 he gained two Michelin stars, and then moved onto The Landmark Hotel in London.  In each of these establishments I found his food was superb.  The New Angel has a very different motif from his previous restaurants, which were more in the grand style. The New Angel is buzzy and has a relatively unadorned dining room without any tablecloths, or carpet. Half one wall is replaced by a bar top, which leads across into the kitchen so that all the delicious looking dishes appearing one after another are on full view to the hungry multitude. I was bowled over by the seeming simplicity of the fresh tasting dishes. As an accomplished chef John Burton Race framed the superlative fresh flavours of the locally sourced ingredients in a simple way, done with great sensitivity, so that they were enhanced, not masked. The menu is heavily weighted towards seafood, which is sourced from Devon’s day-boats.

Due to a late start we arrived an hour late for our booking, but the staff was very gracious even though the kitchen was beginning to close. They accommodated us with great charm, the young French waitress quickly exploring with the kitchen what could be provided for a pair of hungry (by this time ravenous) aviators. For whatever reason meat dishes were not possible for us, but who cared because seafood was their speciality. I must say neither of us were disappointed.  The kitchen rapidly came alive again when we put in our order.  Matthew started with a grilled beetroot and fig tart covered with melted cheese.  The dish was absolutely

Stuart in Dartmouth

delicious as was my starter of a freshly grilled mackerel surrounded by baby pickled mushrooms and grapes in a very light and gentle marinade. Again superb. Matthew’s celeriac open lasagne was both unusual, and delicate, melting in the mouth and seemed to disappear very rapidly leaving him with a Cheshire-cat like grin. When I had the last mouthful of my dish of John Dory in a light cream and vegetable sauce my facial expression mirrored Mathew’s. We just sat back and smiled at each other contently. Perhaps I was more content than Matthew as I had flown down to Exeter and Matthew was flying back. Consequently I had been able to down a few glasses of a fruity, fresh white Cote du Rhone, from the Domaine de la Janasse – excellent value at £21 per bottle.

John Burton Race sent me away delighted I had taken the trouble to fly from Denham. He had passed his unwitting exam with flying colours. As far as we were concerned he richly deserved his Michelin star.

PS John Burton-Race has moved on from The New Angel since this review was written, but the restaurant is still there.

Bembridge (EGHJ)

Airport information

Nearest town: Sandown (5m by car), Isle of Wight

Opening Times: Winter: 0830-1800 and by arrangement; Summer: 0730-1700 and by arrangement.

Longest Runway: 799m, Concrete

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

Phone: 07770228852 PPR

Website: http://eghj.co.uk/, Wikipedia entry

AIP: plates and airport diagram

Landing fees: from £7.50 (for aircraft 750 kg and under) to £55 (for aircraft 4001 kg and over)

Note: PPR during AD hours; AD operates outside of notified licensed hours.

Airport map

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Airport services

  • Taxis: ABB-Cab (01983 403204), Cheap Taxis (01983 404747), Coastal Cars (01983 404444), JJ’s Taxis (01983 401980), Lake Taxi service (01983 402641). Note: All these services operate out of Sandown, not from the airport itself. Taxis can also be arranged for crews by calling Bembridge ATC before arrival (01983 873331)
  • Car Hire: Practical Car & Van Rental (01983 531700, www.practical.co.uk)
  • Facilities at airport: Aeroclub with refreshment and dining facilities, Wi-fi, spare mac; pub located close to airfield.

Pubs

  • The Propeller Inn, Bembridge Airport (01983 873611). Located in an old Britten-Norman hangar, with aircraft photos and prints around the wall.
  • The Crab and Lobster, Field Road, Bembridge (01983 872244, www.crabandlobsterinn.co.uk).  Fine cliff top views over the sea and excellent pub food just a brisk 15 minute walk from the airport.
  • The Old Village Inn, High Street, Bembridge (01983 872616). Traditional pub that serves a good range of beers.
  • The Pointer Inn, Newchurch, near Sandown (01983 865202). Picturesque rural surroundings and real ales.

Restaurants

  • The Pilot Boat Inn, Station Road, Bembridge (0198 3872077). Scenic location near Bembridge harbor, freshly made food and generous portions.
  • St Helens Restaurant, Lower Green Road, St Helens (01983 872303, www.sthelensrestaurant.com). Extremely popular restaurant with a focus on local ingredients.
  • La Scala, 26B, High Street, Sandown (01983 403778). Highly rated for its Italian food as well as curiously kitschy setting.

Hotels

  • Appuldurcombe House, Wroxall (01983 840188, www.appuldurcombe.co.uk). Stone cottages (self-catering) on the 300-acre Appuldurcombe estate. Houses a magnificent 18th C. mansion and an owl and falconry centre.
  • Corner House Hotel, 1-5, Fitzroy Street, Sandown (01983 403176, www.cornerhousehotel.co.uk). Family run hotel two minutes away from Sandown beach and chiefly described as “very comfortable”.
  • Oaklands House, Yarbridge, Sandown (01983 406197). A B&B that boasts of wi-fi and a small swimming pool.

 

Golf courses

  • Shanklin & Sandown Golf Club (01983 403217, www.ssgolfclub.co.uk). A 100-year old club known for some excellent views.
  • Ventnor Golf Club (01983 853326, www.ventnorgolfclub.co.uk). A 12 hole course with great views over the English channel.
  • Ryde Golf Club (01983 614809).
  • Newport Golf Club (01983 525076, www.newportgolfclub.co.uk). Proximity to Newport makes it a convenient destination.
  • Westridge Golf Centre (01983 613131). Boasts of a well-stocked golf shop and a floodlit driving range.

Activities

  • On the airport itself, visit Britten-Norman, the UK’s last surviving whole-aircraft manufacturer. Not only do they build the Islander here, but they also do final assembly on Cirrus aircraft for delivery to Europe.
  • A visit to Bembridge Windmill, the only surviving windmill on the island that has served as an inspiration to many artists.
  • Beach hopping from Sandown to Shanklin to Ventnor.
  • Wetland walks, birdwatching, cycling and other outdoor activities.
  • The High Down Test Site (http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/upload/pdf/High_Down_Report_90-2007, PDF). On the SW corner of the Isle of Wight you can see a long-forgotten fragment of Britain’s aerospace history – the testing site for rocket engines used in the Black Knight and Black Arrow rockets. The UK remains the only country to have launched a satellite into orbit and then abandoned the capability.

Useful information

Cambridge (EGSC)

Airport information

Nearest town: Cambridge (1.7m), Cambridgeshire.

PPR: Yes

ICAO: EGSC

Phone: 01223 373 213 (ATC); 01223 373 737 (Switchboard).

Website: www.marshallaerospace.com, Wikipedia entry

Runway: 1965m x 46m, Concrete; 899m x 35m, Grass; 699m x 35m, Grass.

Opening times: Mon-Fri 0730-2000; Sat & Sun 0800-1900 (Summer – March to October UTC +1; Winter – November to February UTC).

Fuel: JET A48 (with anti-ice additive), AVGAS 100LL.

AIP plates and airport diagram

Airport map

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Airport services

  • Handling: Cambridge Airport Handling (01223 373 214).
  • Taxi: 08453 886 214
  • Car Hire: Cambridge area branches include Avis (08706 086 327), Europcar (01223 233 644), and National (1223 365 438).
  • Nearest railway stations: Cambridge 3m.
  • Passenger facilities: Hotels in nearby Cambridge. Restaurant. Banks in Cambridge. Post office 0.5 mile. Company first aid and a hospital (3 miles). Customs and immigration.
  • Flying schools: Cambridge Aero Club (01223 373 717, www.cambridgeaeroclub.com).

Pubs

  • The Hole in the Wall, 2 High St., Cambridge (01223 812 282, www.the-holeinthewall.com). Set in a 15th century inn heated by open fires. This gastropub also uses seasonal and traceable ingredients in classical ways to produce traditional British dishes.
  • The Three Horseshoes, High St., Cambridge (01954 210 221). Housed in a thatched inn with a snug, fire-warmed bar. Seasonal, Italian food.
  • The Elm Tree, Orchard Street, Cambridge (08719 170 007). Given its fantastic real ale and Belgian range, easily one of the top 10 specialist beer pubs in the UK.

Restaurants

  • 22 Chesterton Road, 22 Chesterton Rd., Cambridge (01223 351 880, www.restaurant22.co.uk). Converted Victorian house with a distinctive dining room and a monthly-changing classical menu of French-influenced dishes
  • Midsummer House, Midsummer Common, Cambridge (01223 369 299, www.midsummerhouse.co.uk). Idyllic location beside the River Cam, with conservatory dining and a Mediterranean menu.
  • Phoenix, 20 The Green, Cambridge (01223 233 766). Popular Chinese restaurant in former pub on the village green serving plenty of Peking and Szechuan favourites.

Hotels

  • Hotel du Vin Cambridge, Trumpington Street, Cambridge (01223 227 330, www.hotelduvin.com). Housed in a building dating back in part to medieval times, this unique luxury boutique hotel also features a French style Bistro serving a sumptuous menu of European cuisine.
  • Bedford Lodge Hotel & Restaurant, Bury Road, Newmarket, Suffolk (01638 663 175, www.bedfordlodgehotel.co.uk). Named as Suffolk Hotel of the Year 2006-2007, this country house is set among three acres of secluded gardens just 20 minutes from the centre of Cambridge.

Golf courses

  • Menzies Cambridge Hotel and Golf Club, A14 Huntingdon Road, Cambridge (01954 780 098, www.menzies-hotels.co.uk/golf/cambridge). Just 5m outside Cambridge featuring a four-star hotel.
  • The Gog Magog Golf Club, Shelford Bottom, Cambridge (01223 247 626, www.gogmagog.co.uk). Standing high and dry on the chalk hills since 1899.
  • Girton Golf Club, Dodford Lane, Girton, Cambridge (01223 276 169, www.club-noticeboard.co.uk/girton/index.htm). Laid out by a PGA professional in 1936, the 18th which is one of the longest par fives in the county.

Activities

  • Cambridge University Botanic Garden, Cory Lodge, Bateman Street, Cambridge (01223 336 265, www.botanic.cam.ac.uk). Displays over 8,000 different plant species in 40 acres of beautiful landscapes.
  • Fitzwilliam Museum, Trumpington Street, Cambridge (01223 332 900, www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk). The art museum of Cambridge University, described as “the finest small museum in Europe.”
  • St John’s College, Cambridge (01223 338 600, www.joh.cam.ac.uk). A Tudor College founded by the mother of Henry VII. The annual Cambridge and Oxford boat race began here in 1829.
  • Cambridge Chauffeur Punts, Silver Street, Cambridge (01223 354 164, http://www.punting-in-cambridge.co.uk). Offers chauffeured punting, self hire punting, guided river tours and much more.

Useful information

Gloucestershire (EGBJ)

Airport information

Nearest town: Cheltenham (4m by car), Gloucestershire

PPR: No

ICAO: EGBJ

Phone: 01452 857 700; Ext. 223 (Ops/ATC); Ext. 248 (Admin); 01452 856 222 (Handling).

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

Landing fees: £12.50 – £30

Runway: 988m x 34m, Asphalt; 1419m x 37m, Asphalt; 799m x 18m, Asphalt; 304m x 19m, Grass

Opening times: Summer – Mon-Fri 0730-1830; Sat & Sun 0800-1830; and by arrangement. Winter – Mon-Fri 0830-1930; Sat & Sun 0900-1800; and by arrangement

Fuel: AVTUR JET A-1, AVGAS 100LL

AIP plates and airport diagram

Airport map

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Airport services

  • Handling: Flightpartner Ltd. (01452 856 222).
  • Taxis: Kestrel Taxis (01452 537 404), Bridges (01242 706 323) and Spa Cars (01242 250 555)
  • Car Hire: Avis (08706 086 340, www.avis.co.uk), Hertz (01452 854 477, www.hertz.co.uk) and Enterprise (01242 514 411).
  • Nearest train station: Cheltenham (2.5 nm).
  • Passenger facilities: Hotels in vicinity. Visitor’s reception area with wireless internet access, pilots’ briefing area, The Aviator restaurant and Transair pilot shop. Tourist information available. Customs and immigration by arrangement.
  • Charter: Executive Aviation Services (01452 857 006, www.exas.co.uk), European Skytime (01452 714 500, www.europeanskytime.co.uk), Mann Air (01989 760 000) and Synergy Aviation (08456 747 747, www.synergyaviation.co.uk).

Pubs

  • The Beehive Inn, Cheltenham (01242 579 443). Unpretentious local pub with a fine menu of solid pub grub.
  • The Bell Inn, Shurdington (01242 862 245). Lovely garden overlooking a cricket pitch.
  • The Langton, Charlton Kings (01242 258 941). Excellent gastropub in a listed Regency house. Extensive menu and ten beers on tap, including some unusual European brands.

Restaurants

  • Brasserie Blanc, The Queen’s Hotel, Cheltenham (01242 266 800). One of Michelin-starred chef Raymond Blanc’s stable of restaurants; very reasonable price fixe menu.
  • The Daffodil, Cheltenham (01242 700 055). Modern European cuisine served in this beautiful Deco building.
  • Storyteller Restaurant and Wine Room, Cheltenham (01242 250 343). Fashionable bistro with a dependable menu and fair prices.

Hotels

  • Beaumont House Hotel, Cheltenham (01242 223 311, www.bhhotel.co.uk). Five star rating by the AA, with several special themed rooms.

Golf courses

  • Brickhampton Court Golf Club, Cheltenham (01452 859 444, www.brickhampton.co.uk). Two courses and a driving range.
  • Cotswold Hils Golf Club, Cheltenham (01242 515 264). Past venue for English Ladies’ Amateur Championship, Cotswold Gold Vase and county championships.
  • Lilley Brook, Cheltenham (01242 526 785, www.lilleybrook.co.uk).

Activities

  • Cheltenham Racecourse (01242 513 014, www.cheltenham.co.uk). The UK’s most famous racing location.
  • Pittville Pump Room, Cheltenham (01242 523 852). The jewel of this spa town’s Regency architecture.
  • Gloucester Cathedral (01452 528 095, www.gloucestercathedral.org.uk). Amazing 11th century building featuring the famous ‘green men’ and labyrinth.

Useful information

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