Golf Hotel Whiskey

Golf Hotel Whiskey: for pilots and aviation enthusiasts

England

Enstone (EGTN)

Airport information

Nearest town: Chipping Norton (3m by car)

Opening Times: 08:00 to 19:30 (last takeoff) and sunset (last landing)

Longest Runway: 1100m, Asphalt

Fuel: AVGAS 100LL, JET A1

Phone: 01608 677208

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

Landing fees: Single £ 8.50, twin £17.00, microlight £ 5.00, multiple landings £20.00

PPR required

Airport map

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Airport services

Pubs

  • The Crown Inn, Church Enstone, 01608 677262. 17th century inn listed in the Good Pub Guide. Food and real ales.
  • The Carpenter’s Arms, 122 North Street, Middle Barton, Chipping Norton, 01869 340378. Quiz nights on Tuesdays.
  • The Falkland Arms, The Green, Great Tew, Chipping Norton, 01608 683653. Excellent food, a huge draw in the local area, good range of beers.

Restaurants

  • The Chequers, Goddards Lane, Chipping Norton, 01608 644717. Well-sourced British cuisine with an attractive covered courtyard.
  • Tollgate Inn and Restaurant, Church Street, Kingham, 01608 658389. Organic offerings in Georgian former farmhouse.
  • Chav Brasseries, 7 Horsefair, Chipping Norton, 01608 645968. Good quality French – look out for the wonderful bread.

Hotels

  • Swan Lodge, Enstone, 01608 678736. 17th century former inn with easy access to local attractions.
  • The Crown and Cushion, 23 High Street, Chipping Norton, 01608 642533. Former home of The Who’s Keith Moon. Includes leisure and conference facilities.
  • Heythrop Park Hotel, Golf and Country Club, Enstone, (01608 673333, www.heythroppark.co.uk). Magnificent Roman-influenced country house.

Golf courses

Activities

  • Oxfordshire Sportflying Limited provides training for the NPPL-SLMG licences, including for Bronze & Silver C glider and for microlight pilots at the airfield.
  • Blenheim Palace (www.blenheimpalace.com). Baroque masterpiece set in 2100 acres of beautiful parkland.
  • Batsford Arboretum (www.batsarb.co.uk). One of the largest private collections of trees and shrubs in the country.
  • The Rollright Stones (www.rollrightstones.co.uk). Ancient stone circle site.

Useful information

Exeter (EGTE)

Airport information

Nearest town: Exeter (11m by car), Devon

Opening Times:

  • Winter – Mon 0001-0100, 0700-2359; Tue-Fri 0001-0200, 0700-2359. (PPR before 0800 and after 2000) Sat 0001-0200, 0800-1700; Sun 0830-2359. (PPR before 0900 and after 1700)
  • Summer – Mon 0600-2359; Tue-Fri 0001-0100, 0600-2359; Sat 0001-0100, 0530-2000. (PPR before 0700 and after 1900) Sun 0700-2359. (PPR before 0800 and after 1900)

Longest Runway: 2083m, Asphalt

Fuel: AVTUR JET A-1, AVGAS 100LL

Phone: 01392 367 433

Website: www.exeter-airport.co.uk, Wikipedia entry

AIP: plates and airport diagram

Landing fees: £7.50 per 500kg up to 3000 kg

Airport map

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Airport services

Pubs

  • Double Locks by the canal outside the city (01392 256947)
  • The Bridge Inn in Topsham (01392 873862, www.cheffers.co.uk/bridge.html)
  • The Lighter Inn in Topsham by the Quay (01392 875439)

Restaurants

  • Michael Caine’s, www.michaelcaines.com. Michelin-starred restaurant on Cathedral Green. 01392 310031
  • Gidleigh Park, www.gidleigh.com. Two stars. Impeccable service. Beautiful location on Dartmoor. 01647 432367
  • The New Angel in Dartmouth, www.thenewangel.co.uk. John Burton Race’s TV-star restaurant on the quay. About an hour’s drive but worth it. 01803 839425

Hotels

Golf courses

Activities

Useful information

Pireps

  • Exeter Bill Bryson said “Exeter is not an easy town to love” in his Notes from a Small Island. Having lived there myself for six years when I was at school, I have to differ. Exeter is a lovely town. Once known as the redbrick Bath, because of its elegant Georgian circuses and parades, it is a good mix of city sophistication and provincial charm. Much of the old city was destroyed by bombing in 1942, although small pockets remain and, fortunately, the Norman Cathedral and the old buildings around it, including Francis Drake’s favourite pub, were unharmed.
  • The New Angel 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. 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.

Blackpool (EGNH)

Airport information

Nearest town: Blackpool (3m by car), Lancashire

Opening Times: Summer – 06:00 to 20:00; Winter – 07:00 to 21:00

Longest Runway: 1869m, Asphalt

Fuel: AVGAS 100LL, AVTUR JET A-1

Phone: 08700 273 777 (Admin)

Website: www.blackpoolinternational.com, Wikipedia entry

AIP: plates and airport diagram

Landing fees: from £10 singles, £15 twins

Airport map

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Airport services

Pubs

  • Bay Horse Inn,Bay Horse Lane, Ellel, Lancaster (20m), 01524 791204. Lovely gastropub with real fires.
  • Brannigans, 29-37 Market Street, Blackpool, 01253 752277. Known to host a lively crowd and parties every week.
  • Tapas Bar, 11-13 Queen St, Blackpool, 1253 293287.  Friendly service and a range of appetizers.

Restaurants

  • Twelve, www.twelve-restaurant.co.uk, Marsh Mill Village, Thornton Cleveleys, Lancashire, 01253 821212. Restaurant and lounge bar in the shadow of a working windmill.

Hotels

Golf courses

Activities

  • Blackpool Pleasure Beach, (www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com), amusement park and rides, children’s theme park, musicals, circus and a range of restaurants all in one place.
  • Blackpool Tower, (www.theblackpooltower.co.uk), circus and other entertainment options, especially for children.
  • Blackpool Zoo, (www.blackpoolzoo.org.uk)
  • Grundy Art Gallery, in central Blackpool. Exhibits include Victorian as well as modern British art and photographs of historic Blackpool.

Useful information

Elvington (EGYK)

Airport information

Nearest town: York (27m by car), Yorkshire

Opening times: Dawn to dusk

Longest runway: 3000m, Concrete and Asphalt

Fuel: 100LL Jet A1

Phone:   01759 305851

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

Note: York Elvington Aerodrome is an unlicensed private aerodrome and pilots use it at their own risk. PPR required. PPR is at sole discretion of the aerodrome owners by telephone to Elvington Events Limited (01759 305851)

Airport map

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Airport services

  • Handling: From £ 12
  • Taxis: Victoria Travel (01759 306 910), Central Taxis (01759 302146), Car 9 (01759 306 596)
  • Car Hire: Thrifty (01904 438844  , www.thrifty.co.uk), Enterprise (01904 623000  , www.enterprise.com)
  • Facilities at airport: Cafe
  • Charter: Available from Prive Jets (02080 990 375  , www.privejets.com)

Pubs

  • The Black Bull, 18 Market Place, Pocklington,   01759 302649  . Good value menu.
  • The Black Swan, Peasholme Green,   01904 686911  . Traditional pub with great beers, lots of character and a reputation for being haunted.
  • The Gillygate, 48 Gillygate,   01904 654103  . Excellent fish and chips.

Restaurants

  • 1331 Gastrobar, 13 Grape Lane, York,   01904 661130  . Decent gastropub fare sourced as locally as possible in this fashionable locale.
  • Betty’s Café and Tearooms, 6-8 St Helen’s Square, York,   01904 659142  . A local institution, now combined with a shop selling gorgeous snacks.
  • The Blue Bicycle, 34 Fossgate, York,   01904673990  . Good seafood served in an atmospheric former brothel.

Hotels

  • Acer, 52 Scarcroft Hill, York (01904 653839). Small – just four rooms – comfortable and welcoming. Good breakfasts.
  • Mount Royale Hotel, 119 The Mount, York (01904 628856). Set in mature English gardens, antiques in every room.
  • The Parsonage Country House Hotel, Escrick, York (01904 728111  , www.parsonagehotel.co.uk)  Classic hotel with a modern twist. Restaurant features ‘Yorkshire farmers’ menu’.

Golf courses

Activities

Useful information

East Midlands (EGNX)

Airport information

Nearest town: Castle Donington (12m by car), Derby

Opening times: H24

Longest runway: 2893m, Asphalt

Fuel: 100LL, Jet A1

Phone: 01271 919 9000

Website: www.eastmidlandsairport.com, Wikipedia entry

AIP plates and airport diagram

Airport map

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Facilities

  • Handling: Signature Flight Support (01332 811179, http://www.signatureflight.com/locations/ema). Handling is mandatory.
  • Taxis: Checker Cars (01332 814 000)
  • Car Hire: Enterprise (01332 812 828), Europcar (01332 853 679), National (01332 853 551), Hertz (01332 853 552)

On the airport or within walking distance

  • East Midlands Aeropark musuem – see below
  • Two foreign exchange outlets, shops including Boots and Accessorize, Spar supermarket. Café Ritazza, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Millie’s Cookies, Soho Coffee Company, food hall, bar. Internet station. Quiet prayer room.

Pubs

  • The Falcon, Long Whatton, Loughborough, 01509 842 416. Pleasant country pub with accommodation.
  • Harrington Arms, Sawley, 0115 973 2614. Beer festival every August Bank Holiday.
  • The Jolly Sailor, Hemington, 01332 810 448.

Restaurants

  • Sherwood Restaurant, Thistle Hotel, Castle Donington, 01332 850 700. Has a conservatory area that caters for large groups.
  • Orchard Restaurant, The Yew Lodge Hotel, Kegworth, 01509 672 518.
  • Pavilion Restaurant, Hilton Hotel, Castle Donington, 01509 674 000. Spacious venue with resident pianist on Thursday and Saturday nights.

Hotels

  • The Hilton East Midlands Airport (01509 674000, http://www.signatureflight.com/locations/ema) is five minutes drive from the airport itself.
  • The Priest House on the River, Castle Donington (01332 810 649). Impressive hotel on a site mentioned in the Domesday Book. Four stars, restaurant and conference rooms.
  • Donington Park Farmhouse Hotel (01332, 862 409, www.parkfarmhouse.co.uk). Beautiful restored 17th century farmhouse, good views, bedrooms individually decorated.
  • Donington Manor Hotel (01332 810 253, www.doningtonmanorhotel.co.uk). Privately owned with excellent bistro.

Golf courses

  • Breedon Priory Golf Centre, Derby (01332 863081, www.breedongolf.co.uk).
  • Rushcliffe Golf Club, Loughborough (01509 852 959, www.rushcliffegolfclub.com).
  • Trent Lock Golf Centre, Nottinghamshire (0115 946 4398, www.trentlock.co.uk). The main course has two par 5, five par 3 and eleven par 4 holes, plus water features and three holes adjacent to the river Trent.

Activities

  • East Midlands Aeropark (www.eastmidlandsaeropark.org), is an aviation museum and viewing area located on the airport itself. Entry is a modest £2 per person. The collection includes a Canberra, Hunter, Buccaneer, Spitfire and a Vulcan.
  • Donington Grand Prix Collection, Castle Donington ( 01332 811 027, www.doningtoncollection.com). More Grand Prix cars under one roof than anywhere else in the world.
  • Breedon Priory Church (01332 864 845). Site of an Iron Age Fort and Saxon Priory. Contains unique 8th Century Saxon carvings.
  • Elvaston Castle Country Park, Derby (www.elvastoncastle.org.uk). Over 200 acres of woodlands, parkland and formal gardens.

Useful information

Chewton Glen

chewton1

Only eight miles from Bournemouth Airport and surrounded by 900,000 acres of New Forest, Chewton Glen was high on our hit list of Michelin-starred restaurants.

The trip from Denham to Bournemouth took just forty minutes in our plane, a Cirrus SR-22 four-seater. The morning weather was gin-clear – “captain’s weather” – and we had a fine view of the coast as we landed.

chewton2A fifteen minute cab ride later and we arrived at The Chewton Glen Hotel and things started to go downhill. We had arrived at the hotel before the restaurant was due to open. A quizzical look and “the lounge is through there,” was all the greeting we got so we carried our coats into the spacious and well-lit room and tried to order some tea.

chewton3Our irritation was allayed by the view of manicured grounds bathed in hazy winter sunshine. It is always a relief to swap London life for a moment of Luxe, Calme, et Volupté, even if the “relaxing yuan zhi regenerating body cocoon and massage” offered by the hotel spa didn’t appeal. We prefer calories to callisthenics.

There was an extensive à la carte menu and a three-course prix fixe for reasonable £22.50. Our hundred mile journey demanded something special and both of us chose a cheese soufflé to start. When the soufflés arrived, we caught one another’s eye and grinned as if to say “the journey was worthwhile.” The golden brown top had risen several inches over the rim of the ramekin, and the smell brought to mind Oscar Wilde’s dictum: “I can resist anything, except temptation.”

The main course was less rewarding. Stuart’s Dover sole and Matthew’s grilled sea bass arrived after a noticeable delay. Tidy and properly cooked they were both tasty but the side plate of vegetables looked like something from a school meal. Limp, unappetising and untouched by either of us. On the other hand, the bread was very good, especially one that mixed sweet raisins with sour rosemary and a drop of olive oil.

Matthew was designated pilot for the return journey so Stuart could indulge in a glass of Messieurs Guigal’s light and flowery Condrieu. Matthew thought the bottled mineral water was a fine vintage with a delicate bouquet and a hint of spring meadows.

Turning down a pudding, we were invited to take our coffee in the lounge. It arrived promptly with a choice of truffles. After that we felt like we had been abandoned. In the end Matthew had to order a cab from reception and Stuart went back to the restaurant, credit card in hand to search for the bill. The result was a lengthy delay and a stressful high speed flight back to Denham so that we would land before nightfall.

When reviewing top restaurants, another Wilde quotation seems appropriate: “I have very simple tastes; I am always satisfied with the very best.” Overall, Chewton Glen fell short of this demanding ideal. While the food was good and the soufflé excellent, the overall experience was marred by second-rate service before and after the meal. These lapses are forgivable in the high street but not in a £50-a-head restaurant.

Contact information

Address: New Milton, Hampshire, BH25 6QS

Tel. (01425) 275341
Fax (01425) 272310
Reservations Direct Line (01425) 282212

US Toll Free Tel. 1 800 344 5087
US Toll Free Fax : 1 800 398 4534
Germany Toll Free Tel. 0800 1 810890

Email: reservations@chewtonglen.com

Website: www.chewtonglen.com

Important information

Opening hours: lunch 12.30-1.45, dinner 7-late
Meal for two: £100
Michelin Rating: *

Nearest Airport

Bournemouth (15m)

Nearby Towns

  • Bournemouth
  • Southampton
  • Winchester