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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

Land owner permission not required.

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.

Where to fly your drone


Black Nore Lighthouse, North Somerset (By Nairners)

This is an old lighthouse off the coast of Portishead. Great spot to test out orbits etc... loads of room and there is ample residential parking just next door. (I suggest parking on Pinecroft road).

In front of the lighthouse is a large (approx 10x10 feet) concrete pad which is great for TOAL as the area around is quite rocky and not suitable to rest a drone on.

Land owner permission not required.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.4847, -2.800626 • what3words: ///spud.luring.fixed

Singleton Lake, Ashford (By grandad1950)

Singleton Lake is a man made lake and forms part of the Ashford Green Corridor.

Very popular for bird watching and fishing.

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.14307, 0.844713 • what3words: ///edits.awake.twin

Pontsarn Viaduct, Merthyr Tydfil (By gasbag43)

The Pontsarn Viaduct was built in the 1860’s to carry the Brecon and Merthyr Railway over the river was designed and built by Savin and Ward and their engineer Alexander Sunderland (as was the Cefn viaduct).

It has 7 spans and is an historic listed structure. It is situated in an area of natural beauty, with “the Blue Pool” and waterfall nearby.

Its located in a quiet little valley easily accessible on foot from the road above.

Land owner permission not required.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.77967, -3.385237 • what3words: ///stones.points.spit

Victoria Park, Kent (By grandad1950)

A large multi use park close to the centre of Ashford in Kent.

Very modern kids play area, a lake and lots of room to fly.

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.14437, 0.861856 • what3words: ///head.fines.adopt

Ansty Cricket Ground, Mid Sussex (By grandad1950)

This was previously uploaded as Bolney Cricket Ground and this corrects my error.

A fine community centre in Ansty Village linked to two fine cricket pitches.

Lots of room to fly when there are no matches being played

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.99537, -0.161711 • what3words: ///forces.spout.mount

Dunfermline Abbey and Palace, Dunfermline Central (By ParmoPaul)

Dunfermline Abbey is the burial place for a number of Scottish kings and queens, the most famous is Robert The Bruce. The palace is also the birthplace of Charles the 1st who helped cause the English Civil War.

Historic Scotland manage the Abbey and Palace and do not allow TOAL from their land. However there is plenty of space around the buildings which is not HS managed.

Paid parking is available outside the Abbey or in the City car park. Free on street parking is available but several streets away.

Land owner permission not required.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 56.06991, -3.463555 • what3words: ///begins.stick.wallet

Lilleshall Abbey, Telford and Wrekin (By D0c.Col)

LILLESHALL ABBEY A LOVELY FREE ACCESS ENGLISH HERITAGE SITE IN SHROPSHIRE

Lilleshall Abbey is a ruined medieval monastery located in Shropshire, England. It was founded around 1148 as an Augustinian abbey and was once a wealthy and influential religious house, known for its impressive architecture and peaceful surroundings.
The monks of the Abbey were members of the Augustinian order, a group of canons who followed the Rule of St. Augustine. Unlike some other monastic orders, such as the Benedictines or Cistercians, the Augustinians were more involved in pastoral and community work, often serving as priests in local churches while maintaining a communal monastic life, following a strict daily routine of prayer, study, and labour.
After Lilleshall Abbey was dissolved in 1538, under the orders of Henry VIII, it was stripped of its valuables, and the monastic community was disbanded. Like many other abbeys at the time, its lands and buildings were sold off.
The abbey and its estates had been granted to Sir Richard Leveson, a wealthy landowner and politician but over the following centuries, the abbey buildings fell into ruin. Parts of the structure were repurposed, with stone being taken for local building projects
The Abbey had been involved in the English Civil War in the 17th Century. Although it was already in a state of decline after the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the site played a role in the conflict as a Royalist stronghold.
During the war, the Leveson family, who owned the abbey, were strong supporters of King Charles I and used the abbey as a defensive position. In 1645, Parliamentarian forces besieged the abbey, and after a fierce battle, captured and under Cromwell’s orders slighted it. The impact of the Civil War was to contribute to its final abandonment as a residence or defensive site.
By the 18th and 19th centuries, the ruins had become a picturesque landmark, appreciated for their historical and aesthetic value.
Today, the remains of Lilleshall Abbey, including parts of its church, chapter house, and other buildings, stand as a historic site managed by English Heritage. The ruins, with their grand arches and intricate stonework, offer a glimpse into medieval monastic life. The site is open to visitors and is a popular spot for history enthusiasts and photographers, and offers a fascinating glimpse into medieval monastic life.

I visited the Abbey out of season so although it was closed as far as English Heritage is concerned, the site is open and access is available at all times (at least when I've been there). That said, the carpark is closed out of season and as it is accessed from a narrow country road you may have to walk a bit to get there. I managed to park right outside the gate but no more than a few cars can park next to the road safely here.

English Heritage have a no drone policy, but if you choose the right time of day or out of season it is easy to fly around the Abbey and maintain VLOS.

There are no toilet facilities or refreshments to be had at this site so plan ahead for relief and sustenance respectfully!

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 52.72494, -2.389849 • what3words: ///donation.organisms.bulk

Dockyard Church, Swale (By Stevieg75)

Free parking can be found in bluetown and site is a short walk.

Land owner permission not required.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.44301, 0.753591 • what3words: ///tungsten.cutlets.pretty

Central Battery, Swale (By Stevieg75)

Parking can be in Tesco and the location is a short walk.

Land owner permission not required.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.44466, 0.752351 • what3words: ///artichoke.village.also

Conningbrook Lakes Country Park, Ashford (By grandad1950)

Just outside Ashford in Kent is Conningbrook lakes Country park.

Great views, lots of space to fly, fishing ,boating and kids playground make it a great place to visit.

A freezing cold morning but there just in time to see the sun rise.

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.15422, 0.905479 • what3words: ///atom.valley.recall


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