ATC: A 'field' essentially becomes a 'private strip' as soon as you land an aeroplane in it, so there is technically no difference.
Shy: I think you meant, 'Government, or
Licenced airfields'.
I deliberately left out reference to Government airfields, as the OP specifically asked about licenced, and unlicenced airfields.
Pobjoy: The question you pose is a perfectly reasonable one, but the OP asked about the legalities.
Radix: See below:-
Civil Aviation Authority Safety Notice SN–2014/010
Page 7 of 11
Appendix A General Exemptions from 4 December 2014
Part A Exceptions to the Minimum Height Requirements
1) General (SERA.5005(f)(2))
a) The CAA permits, under paragraphs SERA.3105 and SERA.5005(f), an aircraft to fly
at a height of less than 150 metres (500 feet) above the highest obstacle within a
radius of 150 metres (500 feet) from the aircraft, subject to the condition set out in
subparagraph (b).
b) The aircraft must not be flown closer than 150 metres (500 feet) to any person, vessel,
vehicle or structure except with the permission of the CAA.
2) Landing and Taking Off
The CAA permits, under paragraphs SERA.3105, SERA.5005(f) and SERA.5015(b), an
aircraft to fly below the heights specified in SERA.5005(f) and SERA.5015(b) if it is flying in
accordance with normal aviation practices and:
a) practising approaches to land at or checking navigational aids or procedures at a
Government or licensed aerodrome;
b) practising forced landings if it is not flown closer than 150 metres (500 feet) to any
person, vessel, vehicle or structure; or
c) flying in accordance with a notified procedure or when specifically authorised by the
CAA in accordance with SERA.5015(b).
3) Landing and Taking Off at a Training Aerodrome
a) The CAA permits, under paragraphs SERA.3105, SERA.5005(f) and SERA.5015(b),
an aeroplane of which the maximum total weight authorised does not exceed 2,730 kg
to fly below the heights specified at SERA.5005(f) and SERA.5015(b) if it is flying in
accordance with normal aviation practice in the circumstances specified in
subparagraph (c).
b) The CAA permits, under paragraphs SERA.3105, SERA.5005(f) and SERA.5015(b), a
gyroplane or helicopter of which the maximum total weight authorised does not exceed
3,175 kg to fly below the heights specified at SERA.5005(f) and SERA.5015(b) if it is
flying in accordance with normal aviation practice in the circumstances specified in
subparagraph (c).
c) The circumstances specified in subparagraphs (a) and (b) are:
i) the aeroplane, gyroplane or helicopter is taking off from, landing at or practising
approaches to landing at a training aerodrome; and
ii) the flight is one on which instruction in flying is being given to a person or a
flying test is being performed by a person for the purpose of becoming qualified
for the grant of a pilot licence or the inclusion or variation of an aircraft rating, a
night rating or a night qualification in a licence.
d) For the purposes of subparagraph (c)(i), a ‘training aerodrome’ means an aerodrome
which the pilot-in-command of the aircraft is satisfied, on reasonable grounds, has
adequate facilities for the safe conduct of flights on which instruction in flying is being
given to a person for the purpose of becoming qualified for the grant of a pilot licence
or the inclusion or variation of any rating or qualification in the licence
MJ
