Of the many people who leave London to live in Surrey, a high percentage will tell you that they choose this county for its charming towns and open landscape of rolling hills and woodland. This region has these things in spades, but we all know that deep down, people choose to live here because it’s close to the capital city. And that’s good news for flying enthusiasts, as is one of the few places in the country where you can take to the skies and enjoy the nation’s capital city from the air. To go on the most exclusive tour of London there is, your first stop will be the heliport at Redhill Aerodrome.

Helicopters are the perfect machines for sightseeing. They can easily travel at speeds of 100 miles per hour, which means that you can cover huge distances in the blink of an eye, but they can also hover, to allow extended and in depth observation of interesting places and breathtaking views. Although Redhill is over 20 miles from the centre of London, you can be observing the city’s landmarks in a matter of minutes, without competing for space with hoards of tourists. Of course, you can also take a spin above the countryside of Surrey and enjoy the peace of this green and pleasant land, or even take the controls of the helicopter yourself and experience the ultimate aerial adventure.

What can you see on a helicopter tour from Surrey?

• Historical London Landmarks tour: The concentration of famous buildings, monuments and neighbourhoods in London must be higher than in almost any other city on Earth, and trying to see them all from street level can be an exhausting and disorienting experience. Everything comes into focus from the cabin of a helicopter, where you can see the big picture without losing your bearings. Starting in Westminster, you’ll see the iconic tower of Big Ben alongside the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and the icon of the new millennium - the London Eye. Then you can follow the Thames to look down on Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square and Oxford Street. As you approach the City of London, the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral rises into view, followed by the twin peaks of Tower Bridge. Longer tours continue further east, to take on the London docklands, the Millennium Dome and the Thames Barrier.

• Stadiums tour: If you’re a football fan, ask your pilot to point out some of the most famous football grounds in the world. Premier League sides Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have stadiums that match their status as world class sports teams close to the city centre. You’ll also get a view over the All England Tennis Club at Wimbledon, which has over 40 tennis courts including the large show arenas. Finally, if you go out towards East London, you can observe the Olympic Stadium and Park in Stratford which was built for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

• Overfly the skyscrapers: London also boasts some of the most iconic skyscrapers, not just in the UK but the whole of Europe. Rising up above the surrounding buildings, they don’t need to be pointed out for you to notice them. The Shard at London Bridge is the highest, but it’s rivalled by the Gherkin in the City and Canary Wharf in the docklands when it comes to elegance.

• Surrey: Perhaps you’re tempted by the idea of a helicopter tour because you want an escape from the city. If that’s the case, you should take a voyage of discovery around the county and enjoy the tranquillity and tradition that characterise it. A short flight from Redhill is Epsom Downs Racecourse which hosts the Derby, the Oaks, the Coronation Cup and other famous horse racing events. The Surrey Hills, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, are another great spot for a flyover, as is the National Trust property of Polesden Lacey which sits in among the hills.

Options for organising an experience

- A helicopter tour of London from Redhill Aerodrome is the most convenient way to see this magnificent city. In just 20 minutes you can take a skyline tour to observe the famous towers, spires and skyscrapers of the nation’s capital. A tour of 30 to 45 minutes will take you into the beating heart of the metropolis, follow the route of the famous River Thames and give you the opportunity to look down on the courtyards, alleyways, roof terraces and other secrets that the city holds. Taking a ride around Surrey for 25 minutes is another magical option. To make it an even more memorable occasion, why not add a bottle of champagne and box of chocolates to the proceedings?

- Taking a tour in a helicopter is all very well and good, but it’s a shame to go up in one of these fascinating machines and not get the chance to fly it yourself. If that’s the way you think, then a flying experience is the one for you.There are 1 or 2 hour options, including 25 and 45 minutes of airtime respectively, for you to get a taste for flight, or become a pilot for a day and enjoy 2 hours in the air over the course of the day.

Who can take a helicopter flight in Surrey?

The helicopters that can take you on a flying visit to London, or around Surrey, come in 4 seat and 7 seat models. That means that you can go as a group of up to 3 or 6 passengers, leaving a seat for the pilot of course. The whole family can come along for the ride, including children who are over 4 years old. When it comes to the adult passengers, the pilot has to take weight into account when planning the flight. The maximum load means each passenger must weigh less than 17 stone, or 110 kilograms. It’s possible to buy extra seats, or arrange a flight in the larger helicopter in order to make sure that everyone can have this experience.

If you’re taking a trial lesson, you can also choose these 4 and 7 seat models if you want to have an audience to your piloting experience, and the same weight requirements apply. Or if you prefer, you can choose a 2 seat model and zip through the skies in this most manoeuvrable of aircrafts.

With so much on offer, there’s something for every taste - and every budget! Let us know what you’re looking for, and we’ll help you find it.