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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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St Andrews Castle, St Andrews Central (By kvetner)

Some nice coastal scenery, the castle, and you can also fly and view some of the historic buildings of St Andrews University from here.

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Co-ordinates: 56.34202, -2.790208 • what3words: ///samples.storage.endlessly

Hollingbourne Cicket Club, Maidstone (By grandad1950)

On the edge of the interesting village of Hollingbourne in Kent the cricket ground is completely surrounded by agricultural fields.

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Co-ordinates: 51.2682, 0.646229 • what3words: ///mows.dumpy.swift

Bredger village pond, Swale (By grandad1950)

A small village pond in the middle of the delightful kent village of Bredger

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Co-ordinates: 51.3119, 0.696261 • what3words: ///says.patching.boating

Peckforton Castle, Crewe and Nantwich (By D0c.Col)

Peckforton Castle – The Last English Fortress

Rising from the misty hills of Cheshire, England, Peckforton Castle looks like it was built for knights and kings — yet it’s barely 175 years old.

This was built for John Tollemache, the Victorian landowner who dreamed of living like a medieval lord. Discover how this extraordinary red-sandstone fortress became a symbol of power, pride, and imagination — complete with real battlements, a portcullis, and a moat.

🏰 Built between 1844 and 1850, Peckforton cost around £60,000 — equivalent to £8–10 million today. From its creation to its wartime role, its brush with fire, and its rebirth as a luxury hotel, this is the story of England’s last true castle.

It was quiet when I visited, but as a popular wedding venue, I would choose my flight carefully. Surrounded by an SSSi you should be okay staying close to the castle.

I TOAL from the free carpark. The hotel does catering but I didn't try it out. Chester is only 20 mins away and the place is easily accessible.

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Co-ordinates: 53.11768, -2.698348 • what3words: ///undertone.darkest.tripped

Shankend Viaduct, Denholm and Hermitage (By Trainman)

Impressive viaduct that was on the long closed Waverley route from Carlisle to Edinburgh.
Accessed along a narrow track off tue B6399 and great views can be enjoyed .

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Co-ordinates: 55.3455, -2.756324 • what3words: ///universes.starting.miles

Angmering Park Estate, Arun (By paulrd)

Angmering Park Estate is a historic, privately owned estate in West Sussex, near Arundel, known for its woodland, public footpaths, and views. It's a popular area for walking, cycling, and mountain biking, featuring both ancient woods and open fields. The estate has been part of the Duke of Norfolk's Arundel Estate for centuries and offers scenic trails that showcase its history and natural beauty.

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Co-ordinates: 50.85762, -0.467289 • what3words: ///everybody.symphonic.discusses

St Andrew-by-the-Ford, Arun (By paulrd)

St Andrew-by-the-Ford is a tiny church of Saxon origin, at the end of a small gravel path, close to the bank of the River Arun and surrounded by a copse of trees. The church originally served a small community which was abandoned in 1608.

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Co-ordinates: 50.82413, -0.577974 • what3words: ///buzz.exit.kick

Leybourne Lakes, Tonbridge and Malling (By grandad1950)

Visited on a rather dull day but the old gravel pits have been converted into a nature reserve and water sports centre. Big car park and lots of different lakes to explore and fly.

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Co-ordinates: 51.31437, 0.438917 • what3words: ///digs.crossword.gently

St Andrews Lake, Medway (By grandad1950)

St Andrews Lake is an old gravel pit and has been converted to a water sport and aqua park. A fun day out for the family.

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Co-ordinates: 51.35777, 0.437506 • what3words: ///feast.meal.choice

Castleford Locks, Leeds (By yorkie9668)

Local to me ish, nice quiet spot to fly, no restrictions I can see, small car park mainly for the fishers but always space, the canal and locks are easily flown over, larger drones should be fine as no people about.
Photo and Pano done with my new Mavic 4 Pro

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Co-ordinates: 53.7317, -1.35647 • what3words: ///corner.giant.crate


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