Britain’s preeminent guide, Fred Pearson, is taking...

Britain’s preeminent guide, Fred Pearson, is taking to the skies in ’89 with his newly established HelicopTours, providing sightseers with the opportunity to eavesdrop on castles, palaces, manor houses and the rural beauty of England. On London flyovers, Pearson’s on-board guides point out the city’s landmarks: Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, Piccadilly Circus, London Bridge, the Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, Covent Garden.

Operating daily, Pearson’s fleet of helicopters will propel visitors beyond London to Stonehenge, West Wycombe Park (landscaped by the legendary Capability Brown), Leeds Castle (former home of William the Conqueror), Canterbury Cathedral, the white cliffs of Dover, Woodhenge, Silbury Hill, Palladian Bridge at Wilton House, the thatched cottages of the Cotswolds, Blenheim Palace, medieval Oxford, Eton, Hampton Court and other attractions. Choppers land while passengers take pictures, dine at unusual restaurants. Plan your own itinerary or join one of three tours.

Meanwhile, Pearson’s land tours by private car provide pickup and delivery to your hotel. Offbeat tours (including a visit to Sherlock Holmes’ private study) are on Pearson’s list, along with an opportunity to dine at Britain’s oldest inn (circa 1155). Pearson’s Take-A-Guide does private tours throughout England, Scotland, Wales and the Continent. Specially planned trips for the handicapped. Others for youngsters.

Only recently, Pearson was cited for his leadership in tourism by the London Tourist Board. His Take-A-Guide will arrange meetings with members of Parliament, send visitors off on fox and grouse hunts. Pearson insists he’s prepared to arrange anything short of tea with Queen Elizabeth II. TAG’s celebrity clientele includes James Michener, Robert Redford, Bob Hope, Irving Wallace, crown princes and princesses and dozens of other prominent figures. Humorist Art Buchwald described Take-A-Guide as “a unique organization that operates on the theory that tourists hate to be herded around in large groups.”

Pearson preaches that travel should be “glamorous, fascinating and rewarding.” His customized tours include Royal London, Legal London, Breakfast in London, London at Night, Doctors’ London, Classical London, Shopping in London, Heart of England, plus others.

For helicopter/land tour rates, contact Take-A-Guide, 11 Uxbridge St., London W8, England, or Take-A-Guide in the United States at 65 E. 79th St., New York 10021. The toll-free number: (800) 223-6450.

Another Small Hotel

We failed to include the Beaufort today among our small hotels featured on page 1. Comprises two early Victorian houses. Only a squeak from Harrods department store. During summer, an umbrella of plane trees rises over this remarkable little hotel. No reception desk, no bartender. Just sign in, pour yourself a drink and sign the honor tab. A total of 29 rooms (each decorated differently). More than 200 English water colors. Pop-up maps of London. Free memberships in a London health club. Loads of books. The hotel will arrange car hires, tours, restaurant bookings. It’s near Hyde Park (great for joggers). The Beaufort will store your suitcases and other belongings for your next visit. Charming. Expensive. Rates: 90 single, 105/130 double. We give the Beaufort five stars: *****.

The Beaufort, 33 Beaufort Gardens, London SW3 1PP.

Still Another

It’s not elegant. But it gets good marks for its reasonable prices: The Fielding Hotel, 4 Broad Court, London WC2 (just off Drury Lane). Rates: 38 single plus 15% VAT; doubles with showers, 48 plus 15% VAT. The Fielding is opposite the Royal Opera House in the area of Covent Garden. One of the best of central London’s cheaper hotels. Dates from the 18th Century. Two stars: **.

Dining in London

Alastair Little serves marvelous meals in an atmosphere of mediocrity. In the words of The Times of London: “Paper napkins and food are unceremoniously dumped on your table.” The floor is scuffed. The tables are chipped. But the menus are rated high (this is one of Fred Pearson’s favorite restaurants). Menus change regularly. Here’s a sampling of the offerings: chicken wrapped in bacon, calves liver with sweet onions and a wine sauce, toasted scallops, fine meat dishes. Pearson swears by this nondescript little restaurant that makes a Denny’s look like Chasen’s by comparison.

Alastair Little, 49 Frith St., London W1. Open Monday through Friday. No credit cards.

Traveler Information

Before leaving the U.S., contact the British Tourist Authority, 350 S. Figueroa St., Suite 450, Los Angeles 90071. (They’ll load you down with information).Telephone (213) 628-3525. In London, visit the British Travel Center, 12 Regent St., London SW1.

Centers operated by the London Tourist Board & Convention Bureau are found at the following locations:

--Harrods Tourist Information Centre, 4th Floor, Brompton Road, SW1. (Near Knightsbridge Underground).

--Heathrow Tourist Information Centre, Heathrow Airport, Middlesex. (Heathrow Central Underground).

--Selfridges Tourist Information Centre is found in the basement of Selfridges at Oxford Street, W1. (Marble Arch Underground).

Week’s Bargain

Travelers flying with Iberia Airlines are being offered six nights at a first-class hotel in Madrid or the Costa del Sol for only $5 a day. Among the choices: The Gran Atlanta in Madrid and the Melia on the Costa del Sol. Includes breakfast, taxes, service. Offer is available through March 18. Details from Iberia Airlines, phone (800) 772--4642, or the National Tourist Office of Spain, 8383 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 960, Beverly Hills 90211, phone (213) 658-7188.

Reader Recommendations

Jamaica--Dan Loffarelli, Studio City: Recommends the “beautiful Court de Lennann Guesthouse, Lot 32, Scarlet Road, Bougue Heights, P.O. Montego Bay, Jamaica, West Indies. Central to the beach, the airport and city. Rate: $80 per night.”

British Virgin Islands--Judy and Pierre d’Albert, Irvine: “The Bitter End Yacht Club with its 84 rooms on North Sound at Virgin Gorda is casual, friendly. Package is terrific and includes all meals. The winter rates: $1,890 to $2,590 per week. Contact the Bitter End Yacht Club, 875 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60611.”

France--Dr. Irving Rubel, Los Angeles: “A charming L’Auberge called Aux Trois Saisons (about 1 1/2 hours by train from Paris). Run by two young Americans. Rates are 425 francs for two persons. Dinner is a fixed menu and costs 110 francs. A real American breakfast goes for about $4.” The address: L’Auberge Aux Trois Saisons, Le Premoy-B.P.6-Drace-le-Fort, 71640 Givry, France.

France--Rudy Van Eyken, Van Nuys: Enjoyed a “marvelous place in the Vosges region. Highly recommended for its beautiful setting in the mountains and valleys. Half-pension with bath, breakfast and one other meal is 160 French francs per night. Write to Mr. and Mrs. Grandgirard, Hotel Restaurant Le Gehan, Trabexim-Cornimont, France.”

Italy--Don and Flo Gluck, Manhattan Beach: Recommend Pension Oceania, Via Firenze, 38 Rome 00184 Italy. Double with shower, 60,000 to 69,000 lira without breakfast.

England--Pat Hoppe, Ontario: “My favorite B&B; in England is Highways House, 143 Wells Road, Bath, Avon BA2 3AL. All units contain full baths. Rates: 24 to 38 per night.”

We regret that only a select few recommendations can be used. They must be brief (typewritten or printed). Only one recommendation per reader, please. Note: Recommendations will not be used unless prices and addresses are included.