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Basildon Park added to National Trust in South East by clinkadink on 10/09/2023

Parking & TOAL: 51.493479, -1.115587

The masterpiece of John Carr of York, this Palladian villa was built for Sir Francis Sykes between 1776 and 1783. It is a beautifully balanced building of warm Bath stone consisting of a main central block joined to individual pavilions by single-storey linkages.

Sykes was the youngest son of a Yorkshire yeoman farmer who made a fortune working for the East India Company on the great Sub-Continent. He held many important posts including Factor & Chief of Kasimbazara and resided at the Court of the Nawab of Bengal, until ill-health forced him to return to England in 1768. He bought Basildon from the estate of Viscount Fane, three years later. Sykes was a close friend of Warren Hastings, the Governor-General of India, who lived at nearby Purley Hall and, along with a number of other 'nabobs' resident in the vicinity, he helped give Berkshire its reputation of being the "English Hindoostan". He was created a baronet in 1781.

Basildon was inherited by Sir Francis' grandson and namesake in 1804, when parts of the house were still incomplete. Unfortunately, Sir Francis Junior inherited massive debts from his spendthrift father and, in 1838, the estate was sold to James Morrison MP, one of the richest of the early Victorian merchant princes. He was a famous art-lover who became instrumental in the setting up of the National Gallery. He exclaimed of Basildon, "What a casket to enclose pictorial gems!". His architect, John Papworth, undertook a number of sympathetic alterations at the house between 1837 and 1842, after which the family took up full residence in the best of Victorian traditions.

The last of the Morrisons died in 1910, after which Basildon often stood empty. It was used as a convalescent home for Berkshire regimental soldiers during the Great War, but subsequently fell into an increasing state of dilapidation. The estate was purchased by the 1st Lord Iliffe in 1928 in order to expand his Yattendon lands and the house was sold on to a George Ferdinando. This man had planned to have the place systematically demolished and re-erected in the United States! A scheme which, fortunately, never came to fruition, though many of the decorative fittings can now be seen in the Waldorf Astoria Hotel.

Miraculously, in 1952, Basildon was repurchased by Lord Iliffe's son and his new bride who set about restoring the place to its present splendour. Many fixtures and fittings were bought from other country houses whose fate was not so fortunate.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basildon_Park

View and discuss this location in more detail on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.49878, -1.121342 • what3words: ///stealthier.curated.tumble

The originator declared that this location was not inside a Flight Restriction Zone at the time of being flown on 10/09/2023. It remains the responsibility of any pilot to check for any changes before flying at the same location. Landowner permission may be required before taking off.

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Fishing boat wrecks, Wyre (By Seadog)

When the fishing industry collapsed in Fleetwood many boats were just left to rot (probably too expensive to maintain.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 53.91962, -3.009546 • what3words: ///rewrites.bravo.nickname

St Margaret's Church, Wealden (By dandf19)

Grade 1 listed buliding failry isolated from Isfield Village near Uckfield, East Sussex. Peaceful and quiet area, a few dog walkers. Plenty parking down Church Lane (single track but in good condition) which ends at the church (TN22 5EY). Turn onto Station Road by the Lavender Line (heritage railway station - probably worth a visit but is only open (some) Sundays for their Summer Season) follow the road for a while and turn onto Church lane.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.9445, 0.054001 • what3words: ///slicing.cowboys.brisk

Bradwell-on-Sea Coastal Defence Barges, Maldon (By uav_hampshire)

A set of 11 WW2 sunken barges that were filled with concrete to protect the wetlands, mudflats and salt marshes in the Special Protection Area at Dengie from coastal erosion.

Obviously more visible as the tide recedes but they can be captured also without a low tide at times. Not recommended if the wind picks up as it does gust at that location without notice.

No issues with TOAL whatsoever along that stretch of coast but it is popular with visitors to the nearby historic chapel of St Peter-on-the-Wall.

From eyesight to the barges from a small public carpark is around 20-30 minute walk depending how fast you are!

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.74432, 0.939631 • what3words: ///skippers.bleaker.sheep

East Hoathly, Wealden (By grandad1950)

A fine old village in East Sussex. Lots of room to fly at the recreation ground .
The village is worth a stroll.

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Co-ordinates: 50.92621, 0.16174 • what3words: ///slyly.thrashed.flask

Wightwick Manor, Wolverhampton (By D0c.Col)

Nestled in the heart of Wolverhampton, England, stands Wightwick Manor—a breathtaking Victorian masterpiece. This architectural gem, with its rich Arts and Crafts design, is a time capsule of Pre-Raphaelite beauty, brimming with William Morris textiles and wallpapers.
Built in 1887 and expanded in 1893, Wightwick Manor was the vision of Samuel Theodore Mander, a member of a prominent Wolverhampton family. The Manders had made their fortune in the paint and varnish industry, shaping the city's industrial and cultural landscape for generations.
The family's roots in Wolverhampton date back to the 18th century, when Thomas Mander moved to the town from Warwickshire. His son, Benjamin Mander, founded a japanning and tinplate works in 1773 and over the years, the business flourished, evolving into the renowned Mander Brothers paint company. By 1879, Samuel Theodore Mander and his cousin Charles had become company directors, continuing the family's legacy.
Wightwick's history stretches back much further. The oldest building on the estate, the Old Manor, dates to the early 17th century, built by Francis Wightwick and his son, Alexander. The Wightwick family had lived on this land since at least the 13th century and had taken their name from the estate owning it until 1815, when it was sold to the Hinkes family. Samuel Theodore Mander re-acquired the estate in 1887, once more breathing new life into its legacy.
Inspired by the Tudor Revival style, Theodore commissioned architect Edward Ould to design the manor. The result was a stunning fusion of craftsmanship and artistry—timber-framed exteriors, intricate carvings, and grand fireplaces—all reflecting the ideals of the Arts and Crafts movement.

The Manor is in the middle of a suberb in Wolverhampton, so if you haven't got NT membership you can park just outside in one of the streets. TOAL is right next to the property so Line of Sight is good, just watch out for the Karen's and Ken's.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 52.58368, -2.194129 • what3words: ///pure.manage.tall

Buxted Deer Park, Wealden (By grandad1950)

No deer but fine parklands to explore. A lovely old church and an upmarket hotel to be discovered

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Co-ordinates: 50.98602, 0.114096 • what3words: ///shame.proposes.frostbite

The South Coaster (By pross)

Ship wrecked in Dec 1943 easily accessible from pebble beach.

You do have to cross a live traintrack so remember to look both ways!

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.61459, -3.442264 • what3words: ///spite.squabbles.gripes

Wintour's Leap, Forest of Dean (By gasbag43)

Wintour's Leap is a noted rock climbing location and viewpoint located near the village of Woodcroft in Gloucestershire, on the English side of the Wye Valley, north of Chepstow.

Wintour's Leap is named after Royalist Sir John Wintour who, hotly pursued on his horse by Parliamentary forces, according to local myth survived a leap off the cliff and, landing safely in the Wye (100 metre drop…) below, swam to safety in the nearby Chepstow Castle. In fact, Wintour did escape from the Roundheads by using the river nearby on two separate occasions, but from less spectacular positions at Lancaut and Sedbury.

The area around Wintour's Leap is a very popular limestone rock climbing area. It contains over 300 recorded routes most of which are multi-pitch. It has a high proportion of quality climbs up to 100-meters in length.

The location is pretty spectacular (albeit better when the tidal river is higher!) with the cliffs to the left of the photo while to the right is the "lost village" of Lancaut. All that remains of this medieval village are the ruins of St James Church said to have been built by the Lord of Chepstow Castle around 1067.

Access is via the Offa's Dyke footpath. TOAL site is a 10 square foot of bare rock 10 feet off the footpath (you need to push through some bushes to access it) with a 100 metre sheer drop at its edge and no safety barrier.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.66297, -2.66367 • what3words: ///sheds.spike.months

Crowborough Leisure Centre, Wealden (By grandad1950)

Lots of parking and room to fly. After you have finished flying you could go for a jog .

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.06322, 0.166131 • what3words: ///inflation.behind.snowballs

Tretower Castle, Powys (By gasbag43)

Tretower Castle is a Grade I-listed ruined castle in the village of Tretower in the county of Powys, Wales. It was built around the beginning of the twelfth century as a motte and bailey castle, enlarged in the early thirteenth century, but later fell into ruin.

This monumental tower with four storeys and stone walls nine feet thick is roughly triangular in plan, with the motte and keep occupying the western corner. The 12th century shell-keep is an irregular enclosure with a gate-tower on the line of approach from the bailey. In the centre of the shell stands the tall cylindrical 13th century keep. The keep is of three storeys, with an original entrance at first floor level

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.88399, -3.185778 • what3words: ///reconnect.nickname.hush


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