I firmly believe that we should be able to take our students into genuine off airfield sites/confined areas such as hotels/pubs/gardens because the moment they get their licence back from the CAA that's the first thing they do and yet we can't do these things on the course
This is not something I have looked into but it makes sense (we usually suggest to students that they build a little experience post ppl first, and then offer to recce sights with them to begin with before they go themselves until they have made a number of off airfield landings - most see this as sensible even though their license qualifies them to go without any further training). Doesn't it depend on the suitability of the site now that we don't technically need to use licensed aerodromes, but 'suitable aerodromes' (or whatever wording is now used). It seems to me that the qualification of a 'Suitable Aerodrome' is purposefully grey, and not qualified in any way, suggesting you will not have any problems until you mess up and they tell you it was not suitable. Admittedly most pubs and hotels are probably not deemed suitable, but some perhaps are - the Pheasant at Keystone for example has a nicely maintained grass strip, a parking area, and a nice clear approach... (no fire-cover however...?)