Where can I fly my drone in the UK and get £5,000,000 Public Liability Insurance cover? Welcome to Drone Scene!

Parking & TOAL: 51.710237, -1.970934

This site is owned/managed by English Heritage, so TOAL was from outside the boundary.

The Cirencester amphitheatre is one of the largest known examples surviving from the Roman occupation of Britain.

It was built just outside the walls of the town (then known as Corinium) early in the 2nd century AD.

Cirencester was second only to London in size at this period, with a population of over 10,000, and was at its finest just as Roman rule was collapsing throughout the Western Empire.

In AD 408 the last contingents of the regular Roman army left Britain. Without their pay to support the local economy and maintain order, and with no central administration to maintain communications, town life rapidly declined.

Private patrons prepared to pay for the public games could not be found. No longer used for the pursuit of pleasure, the amphitheatre became a fortress in an attempt by the town leaders to safeguard their community.

Its entrances were narrowed and a ditch dug along the southern sides, and remains of timber buildings dating from the 5th century have also been found. These efforts appear to have been in vain. In AD 577 a stronghold believed to be Cirencester is reported as falling to the advancing Saxons.

The amphitheatre then remained abandoned for several centuries.

In the Middle Ages the Abbot of Cirencester enclosed it for use as a rabbit warren. Its local name, the Bull Ring, suggests that it may once have been used for bull-baiting: a return to its original purpose.

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

Land owner permission not required.

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

Co-ordinates: 51.71146, -1.972193 • what3words: ///motive.bachelor.silver

Lots of options to fly here if there is no race meeting. Easy parking in the main car park and lots of TOAL options. I took these from the west end but have taken images from the east side and from the downs to the south in the past.

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.31282, -0.256103 • what3words: ///

There is dedicated parking both at Harlaw Reservoir and nearby Threipmuir Reservoir. You can walk around the reservoirs or up into the Pentland Hills. Note there are nature reserves nearby so watch out for nesting birds etc.

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 55.8706, -3.309442 • what3words: ///

Beautiful location of a “lost” village just outside Brighton. Easy access, parking details, history, suggested walk and soundtrack all available at https://www.ernestjournal.co.uk/blog/2015/1/14/take-a-psychogeographical-walk-around-the-lost-village-of-balsdean-in-east-sussex

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.83839, -0.04343 • what3words: ///

There's parking off the road (hard standing), very short walk to the gates which always seems to be unlocked. Nice to have a wander about, still consecrated grounds, respect given.

Land owner permission not required.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 52.28362, -0.880183 • what3words: ///

A freezing cold morning but it was worth it. If you avoid race days there is lots of parking and options for taking pictures.

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.41944, -0.406594 • what3words: ///

Helmsley Castle, located in the market town of Helmsley in North Yorkshire, England, is a striking historic site with over 900 years of history. It is managed by English Heritage and offers visitors a glimpse into its fascinating past.

The castle was originally built as a motte-and-bailey fortification in the late 11th century by Walter l'Espec, a Norman nobleman who was also the founder of Helmsley’s Rievaulx Abbey and fought against the Scots at the Battle of the Standard in 1138.
By the 12th century, stone structures replaced the original wooden defenses, and in the 13th century, Robert de Roos transformed the castle into a grand medieval fortress. This included the construction of a large keep and substantial curtain walls.
During the Tudor era, the castle became more of a luxurious residence than a purely defensive stronghold and the impressive mansion-style lodgings were added.
Helmsley Castle played a role during the English Civil War (1642–1651). It was besieged by Parliamentary forces in 1644 and eventually surrendered. Afterward, like many fortifications during this period, parts of the castle were slighted to prevent its further use as a fortress.
By the 18th century, the castle had become a romantic ruin and attracted visitors as part of the picturesque landscape on the edge of the Duncombe Park estate.
Today, the site is preserved as a historic monument and includes a visitor center with exhibits about its history. These, include, the towering remains of the medieval Keep and stronghold, The Tudor Mansion Ruins, with a glimpse into the luxurious domestic buildings that were added later and Displays of artifacts that all collectively provide insights into the castle's history and the lives of its occupants.

There are plenty of places to park in the town, right next to the castle. With a load of pubs and cafes to satisfy all tastes.

Duncombe Park is adjacent to the castle so best check out it's SSSi before you fly.

Land owner permission not required.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 54.24496, -1.064158 • what3words: ///

On the descent to the Fairy Pools is a short turn-off to the left, which affords a nice view over the Glen, the Cuillins and the small waterfalls of the stream.

Not as sheltered or shadowed as the Firy Pools, and not as impressive, but still peaceful and picturesque.

Parking is the same as for the Fairy Pools, and it can be captured on the way to or from the FP themselves...

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 57.25123, -6.269755 • what3words: ///

Beautiful Circular walk around Levisham and the Hole of Horcum North Yorkshire

The Hole of Horcum is a section of the valley of the Levisham Beck, in the Tabular Hills of the North York Moors National Park, England. The first element of the name is Old English horh, meaning "filth," while the suffix, cumb, means "bowl-shaped valley", and is of Brittonic Celtic origin.

The hollow is 400 feet (120 m) deep and about ¾ mile (1.2 km) across. The Hole was created by a process called spring-sapping, where water welling up from the hillside gradually undermined the slopes above, eating the rocks away grain by grain. In this way, over thousands of years, a once narrow valley widened and deepened into an enormous cauldron. The process continues today.

A more colourful, yet not exactly PC, explanation, however, is provided by a local legend that has it that the "Devil's Punchbowl"-type feature, the amphitheatre, was formed when Wade, the Giant scooped up a handful of earth to throw at his wife during an argument, what a sod eh!

There is a Carpark on the A169 Saltergate viewing area.

There are so many walking routes to choose from - around the rim, down in the hole, out to Skelton Tower, etc. One can also include Levisham Station (for NYM Railway) and refreshments at the Horseshoe Inn. It is a wonderful hike that takes two to four hours depending on your route and doesn't require any special fitness. Nice way to see pastures filled with animals, wet lowlands with streams, and high moors all on one hike.

Please note that, at the time of my flight there was no indicated Flight Restriction or NOTAM in the area. This is not always the case as RAF fylingdales is close by, so best to check prior to flight. Details of who to contact for permission to fly will be published in the temporary Flight Restriction/NOTAM if and as applicable.

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 54.33033, -0.700531 • what3words: ///

Plenty of options to TOAL from around the stadium. Particularly Leazes Park to the North and around St James' Stack to the South.

I wouldn't suggest attempting on a Matchday and also watch out for flocks of seagulls. Height of the stadium also limits line of site but you can land a relocate.

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 54.97512, -1.621642 • what3words: ///

This is a nice place for views over the central village and canal bridge.

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 54.10342, -2.792062 • what3words: ///