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Claymills Victorian Pumping Station, Burton-Upon-Trent added to Historic Buildings in West Midlands by D0c.Col on 05/09/2024

Claymills Pumping Station is a fascinating example of Victorian industrial engineering located in Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire. It was built to pump sewage from the town to the sewage farms in the countryside, serving an important role in the sanitation and public health of the area.
Claymills Pumping Station was constructed between 1885 and 1889 by the Burton-upon-Trent Corporation as part of a broader effort to improve sanitation. The town was experiencing rapid growth due to its brewing industry, which necessitated a modern sewage system to cope with increasing waste.
The station was designed by the civil engineer James Mansergh, who was known for his work on water and sewage projects. The station is a striking example of Victorian engineering, with impressive brickwork, tall chimneys, and large engine houses.
It was fully operational from 1889 until it was decommissioned in 1971. During this time, it played a crucial role in managing sewage and wastewater, preventing the contamination of the River Trent and maintaining public health.
After its closure, the station fell into disrepair, but thanks to the efforts of volunteers and the Claymills Pumping Engines Trust, it has been restored and is now a museum and working heritage site that is designated as Grade II* listed.
The pumping station is powered by four massive beam engines, built by Gimson and Company of Leicester. These engines are named “Victoria,” “Prince Consort,” “Queen Mary,” and “Marquis Wellington.” And they are each capable of pumping around 3 million gallons of sewage per day.
The 120 horsepower compound beam engines are so called as they use steam twice for greater efficiency. The steam first enters the high-pressure cylinder and then the low-pressure cylinder before being exhausted.
The engines have a stroke of 10 feet and a bore of 32 inches for the high-pressure cylinders and 54 inches for the low-pressure cylinders.
They were originally powered by five Lancashire boilers, which generated the steam needed to drive the beam engines. These boilers were fired with coal, which was delivered to the site by rail.
The beam engines in turn drove large reciprocating pumps, which moved the sewage through large cast-iron pipes. The pumps had double-acting pistons, meaning they could pump on both the forward and return stroke thus increasing efficiency.
In addition to the main beam engines, the site also housed several smaller steam engines for auxiliary tasks, including pumping clean water to the boilers and driving workshop machinery.
Claymills is one of the most complete surviving examples of a Victorian pumping station, with much of the original machinery still intact and operational. The site now functions as a museum, offering educational tours, events that showcase the engineering marvels of the Victorian era including steam days, where visitors can see the engines in action.
The site also has a collection of other historical machinery and tools used in maintaining the station.
Due to its well-preserved state, Claymills has been used as a filming location for various documentaries and historical films, offering a glimpse into the industrial past.
Claymills Pumping Station is not just an industrial relic but a living museum that continues to educate and inspire those interested in engineering, history, and the industrial revolution. Its preservation allows visitors to step back in time and witness the power and ingenuity of Victorian engineering firsthand.

Claymills Pumping Station is inside the Derby Aerodrome FRZ so you will have to get authorisation to fly. Best to apply via email at least 24 hrs in advance to [email protected], although they have given me authorisation over the phone on occasions. In the email you'll need to include the following details:

1. Provide a map with the intended area of flight circled ie on a google map, or similar.
2. Time and date of flight.
3. Flight Duration.
4. Your Op ID and Flyer ID (if applicable).
5. UAS Device(s) to be used.
6. Your Name!

You will also be asked to contact them on the intended day just before and after your flight on Tel: 01283 733803. Sounds a lot but it really is easy and I've never been refused yet.

There are plenty of places to park, depending on the day you visit and check before you go on their website (https://www.claymills.org.uk/) as the pumping station is not always open. Best time to go are on thier STEAM days, when 2 of their 4 beam engines are fully operational, usually in conjunction with many more steam powered engines and quirky devices!

Word of Warning, there is a trainline running adjacent to the Station along with a level crossing with barrier. Not an issue really but I'm a belt and braces sort of guy!

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

Co-ordinates: 52.82966, -1.611278 • what3words: ///glue.hangs.windy

The originator declared that this location was inside a flight restriction zone at the time of being flown. Permission to fly was obtained from Derby Aerodrome ATC. 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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Moses Gate Country Park, Bolton (By Seadog)

Nice little country park, despite working for many years I'd not visited here before. Plenty of waterfowl, trees (more than you could shake a stick at). Surprisingly "countrified" considering proximity to Bolton twixt Bury & Manchester.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 53.55691, -2.390631 • what3words: ///clubs.games.fork

Teddington Lock, Richmond upon Thames (By grandad1950)

A really interesting place to visit with all the fun of watching people going through the locks. Just south is an interesting set of weirs. Just follow the Thames Path.

Really good coffee at the hut.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.43079, -0.321911 • what3words: ///stream.motion.pumps

Masson Mills, Matlock Bath, Derbyshire Dales (By D0c.Col)

Masson Mills is a historic textile mill located in Matlock Bath, Derbyshire. It holds a key place in the history of the Industrial Revolution and the development of the modern factory system.

Richard Arkwright, an English inventor and leading entrepreneur, founded Cromford Mills in 1771 — often cited as the world’s first successful water-powered cotton spinning mill. However, the very success of Cromford led to new challenges — it couldn’t meet the growing demands of Arkwright’s expanding business.

His solution was to build a second, larger mill: Masson Mills, constructed in 1783, just a few miles down the Derwent River. Made from brick and gritstone, Masson Mills was not only bigger but also more technologically advanced than Cromford. It followed the same engineering principles — using water wheels powered by the River Derwent — but benefited from lessons learned, with a more efficient layout and better use of workspace.

Local workers, many living in purpose-built cottages in Matlock Bath and surrounding villages, kept the mill running. Although the setting was more scenic than Cromford, working conditions remained intense. Together, Cromford and Masson marked a turning point in industrial history. They symbolised the birth of the modern factory system and laid the foundations for urban industrial growth, factory towns, and mass production.

Following Arkwright’s death in 1792, the mill passed to his son, Richard Arkwright Jr., who continued to develop the business and expand operations. But by the 1990s, global competition and the shift to overseas manufacturing had taken their toll. Textile production at Masson Mills was no longer economically viable.

Soon after, the site was redeveloped into the Masson Mills Shopping Village and Working Textile Museum. However, a major event was on the horizon. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Masson Mills was forced to close in March 2020 during the first national lockdown. A report in October of that year confirmed the closure was permanent, ending 21 years of trading. Since then, the site has evolved and in 2022, the Derwent Hydro group run by the Needle family acquired the mill.

Today, Masson Mills stands as a powerful symbol of Britain’s industrial heritage.
It has entered a new phase focused on conservation, education, and renewable energy. The mill still harnesses the power of the River Derwent through hydroelectric turbines, linking past innovation with sustainable technology.

Now under local private ownership, Masson Mills is being carefully restored and reimagined — with a strong emphasis on heritage preservation and community engagement.
Masson Mills may no longer spin cotton, but it continues to weave together the threads of the Industrial Revolution, British innovation, and a renewed sense of purpose in the 21st century.

At the time of my visit, the shopping centre had ceased trading. The mill, however, still operated as an operational museum, and had a lovely little Cafe at it's entrance from the front of the building.

Free Parking around the mill is pretty difficult to find so I parked on the multi-story carpark attached to the mill. You pay online, or like I did, you can go to the cafe to pay. If you eat at the cafe they give you one hours parking for free (which is all I needed).

The town of Matlock Bath is just around the corner where there is a lot to see and do!

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 53.11235, -1.561875 • what3words: ///packets.shifters.operating

Moel Famau, Denbighshire (By AlbionDrones)

Sunshine and Wind, Moel Famau, ClwYdian Range, North Wales...

A hot and sunny day and the not quite a mountain peak of Moel Famau (Bare Mother Mountain) beckoned us for a long walk, a total of 5 miles and 1000ft of ascent in this area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Topped by the remains of the Jubilee Tower and stunning views in every direction - with the peaks of Snowdon, Tryfan and Cader Idris, up to 35 miles away, visible in clear weather! Looking in other directions, the Peak District, Liverpool, the Wirral, Ellesmere Port and Beeston and Peckforton Hills are all easily visible.

Adjacent are several Hill Forts, each of which deserves a visit in its own right, but not on this day, after the walk up, we were ready for a long drink, a picnic and a sit down..

There are 2 car parks, the upper one gives a round trip walk of 3 1/2 miles, and 700ft of ascent, the lower one - which has more facillities - gives a longer walk of about 5 1/2 miles and 1000ft of ascent - a word of warning, there are some steep slopes on this route, and the slightly easier route options are much thinner paths that are surrounded by Heather and somewhat difficult to walk upon.

Toilets only in the lower car park, about 1km from the uppoer car park as a walk...

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 53.15435, -3.255697 • what3words: ///excavated.stealthier.helm

Newhaven Lighthouse (By Iamcaliban)

Newhaven Lighthouse (built in 1869) is an interesting point of interest, especially for trying out orbits. It is easy to get to by car or public transport from central Edinburgh. It can get busy around there, but when I went early in the morning, it was quite empty. Be careful of seagulls though, as they can get a little aggressive.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 55.98227, -3.196507 • what3words: ///flying.miss.faced

Pooley Bridge, Eden (By kvetner)

Pooley Bridge is the first stainless steel road bridge in the UK. It was opened in September 2020, replacing the stone bridge which had been swept away in floods in 2015.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 54.6122, -2.822164 • what3words: ///orchids.punters.breached

Prosperous Lead Mine, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, Harrogate (By markas)

Prosperous represents a comprehensive late 18th and 19th century lead mining and processing complex and was one of a number of mines in the area exploiting the rich geology of Upper Nidderdale. The extensive remains of the spoil heaps and the upstanding walls of the smelt mill provide a tangible link to an industry that was so influential in this part of Upper Nidderdale. The remains are nationally important, and are designated as a Scheduled Monument.

Records for the mine go back to the 18th century and chart the attempts to make a profit from lead-mining over the course of 100 years.

You can park at Coldstone Cut car park and then cross the road and follow the public footpath, it is a bit of a trek and steep in places, I cycled there and wouldn’t recommend that method of transport.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 54.09055, -1.819214 • what3words: ///mainly.signal.indicate

Thatcher Rock, Torbay (By chrismartindevon)

A great view of Thatcher Rock, and Ilsham behind it. TOAL from the top of the road (currently closed form Torquay side) but plenty of space to fly and good landing spots.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.45515, -3.48935 • what3words: ///woods.fairly.yours

Start Point Lighthouse, South Hams (By chrismartindevon)

Great location for a dramatic lighthouse shot.

Wind can be very strong and gusty here, and when taking off can be a sudden pickup when the drone gets above the rock level.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.22242, -3.642193 • what3words: ///insects.typified.pelting

Cullernose Point and Alnwick Cove, Northumberland (By Iamcaliban)

A nice, quiet little carpark offering great views of Cullernose Point to the North and Alnwick Cove to the South.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 55.44881, -1.587524 • what3words: ///flitting.tripods.flame


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