Now you quite literally can camp like royalty; Prince William’s old search-and-rescue helicopter from Anglesey, ‘Sea King’, has been transformed into a quirky glamping pod.
When he was based at RAF Valley, The Duke of Cambridge helped to save 149 people in his Sea King Rescue 137, which was later retired and destined to be scrap metal – but not before Yorkshire businessman and glampsite owner Ben Stonehouse salvaged it.
“I would have been devastated if they had been crushed. They have a special place in my heart,” he said.
Mr Stonehouse bought three choppers to convert with a £250,000 makeover budget. He has spent the last four years restoring them with authentic instrument panels and rotor blades. The original plans were to convert Rescue 137 into a seafront cafe, but planning difficulties meant two of his helicopters are now luxurious glamping accommodation at the Pinewood Park campsite near Scarborough, with whom Ben has gone into partnership.
Already, guests have included a former Coastguard pilot and his winchmen for a 50th birthday celebration. Pinewood Park owners Kerry and Dave Woodhead hope William and Kate follow suit, saying, “That would be lovely. They’d be very welcome!”
“Typically, our target audience is families, but since the Sea Kings arrived we’ve been seeing a lot of men in their 50s booking accommodation. Many of them are former helicopter pilots and maintenance crew staff who want to rekindle memories of serving in the Royal Air Force.”
Flying as Flight Lieutenant William Wales, William piloted the yellow search-and-rescue helicopters from 2010 to 2013, completing 156 missions and famously saving the life of a 16-year-old swimmer trying to help her younger sister of Cymyran beach in Rhosneigr.
Life on board the chopper had little in the way of creature comforts, but Pinewood’s renovated copters are pitched at the luxury end of the market.
Surprisingly spacious, each pod sleeps two adults and three children and are fully insulated and heated. The interior has a Scandinavian feel with rustic wooden floorboards and houseplants.
A former storage area in the hull has been converted into bunk beds, while the winch doorway opens up onto a terrace, which itself has been converted into a children’s swing.
You can still practice your flying skills – or at least pretend to – with the fully restored pilot’s dashboard in the refurbished cockpit.
The Sea King pod starts at £159 per night, for a glamping experience fit for a King.
