Flying by helicopter to a country house, hotel or golf club

Key points

• Many country houses, hotels and golf clubs welcome helicopters, but each decides for itself, and some set conditions.
• We ask the venue on your behalf and assess the landing area for size, surface, obstacles and neighbours.
• Landing is subject to permission and site suitability. We confirm both before we quote the flight as a confirmed plan.
• If the venue cannot host a landing, a nearby airfield plus a short drive is the usual solution.
• Arrival timing, rotor wash and the people on the ground all need coordinating with the venue.

Can a helicopter land at a country house or hotel?

Often, yes. Many country houses and hotels have a lawn, field or helipad that can take a helicopter, and several welcome arrivals regularly. Whether yours does depends on the owner, the landing area and the neighbours.

We maintain pages for a number of well-known venues, including Cliveden, The Grove, Brocket Hall, Chewton Glen and Chatsworth House. Each page covers what we know about getting there. Landing at any of them is subject to the venue's permission, which we request.

How does the booking work?

You tell us the venue, the date and the times. We contact the venue, ask for permission and confirm the landing area. The venue may ask for details such as the aircraft type, arrival time and number of passengers. We handle that, then confirm the plan with you. If the venue agrees, we send you the confirmed arrival point and what to expect.

Timing matters more than people expect. A venue running an event or a working business day has its own schedule, and it may ask for arrival at a quiet time, away from guests. We try to match. Our guide to landing at a private site sets out the checks in more detail.

What about golf clubs?

Golf clubs are common destinations for corporate days. Some clubs have a suitable area and welcome helicopters for events and tournaments; others do not, or only for specific occasions. Always ask through us rather than turning up: a landing on a course can affect play, greenkeeping and members.

Clubs and tournaments often arrange their own helicopter arrangements for major events. For golf days and tournaments, see golf by helicopter. Plan golf bags in advance, because they are long, heavy and awkward: soft travel covers help, and we need the weight. The article on passenger weight and luggage explains why.

Country sporting days follow a similar pattern, and our shooting season by helicopter planning guide covers the estate side of a shoot day.

What happens at the venue on the day?

The helicopter arrives at the agreed time, lands in the agreed area and shuts down or waits. Venue staff usually keep the area clear and may meet you with a car or a buggy. On departure the process reverses.

A few practical points help. Keep people well back from the landing area and away from the tail. Secure loose items, umbrellas and marquee walls, which rotor wash can lift. Keep dogs and horses away. Tell the venue which time you plan to leave, and keep to it, as the pilot has daylight and duty limits.

If any guest needs help to board, tell us early; our accessibility and boarding guide explains how we plan for it and which landing areas suit best.

Who helps with the ground side?

If the venue is not on the doorstep of the landing area, or you need a car for the journey home, our sister service Executive Global Travel provides chauffeurs, and we coordinate times with them. They also provide the fallback when the weather keeps the helicopter on the ground. For corporate days we often plan a car as a simple back-up for every guest.

If you are planning a larger group, read moving a large group by helicopter.

What do venues usually ask for?

If you fly by helicopter to a country house, expect the venue to ask a short list of questions: the date and arrival time, the number of passengers, the size and type of aircraft, how long the helicopter will stay and where on the grounds it should land. Some ask for a contact name, others for proof of insurance, which we supply.

Many also set conditions. A venue may ask for arrival before guests are in the garden, avoid certain days, limit the number of movements or require a nominated person to meet the aircraft. Staff may need to move marquees, parked cars or livestock. We pass these on and help you meet them. The result is a smoother arrival for you and a better relationship with the venue, which matters if you want to return. For other well-known venues, see Chewton Glen and Chatsworth House.

How do I start?

Tell us the venue, the date, how many of you are flying and where you are starting from. We contact the venue and come back with a clear plan and a fully inclusive quote. Request a quote or call us on the line that is open 24 hours. If the venue is one of those listed on our corporate days out pages, say so, and we will use what we already know.

Whatever the venue, be ready for the answer to be conditional. A yes may come with a time window, a limit on how long the helicopter stays or a request to keep guests away from the garden. A no may come with an alternative, such as a field a short drive away. Either way, we will tell you quickly what is possible and why, so you can decide whether the plan still works.