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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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Digbeth, Custard Factory, Birmingham (By LE60LAD)

Digbeth is the home of the former Birds Custard Factory. Also the home to The Gadget Show and has been used in many films like Ready Player One.

Such a diverse area with loads of great indi venues for coffee / food / gigs. Loads of street art and great architecture.

In my video there is a few TOAL spots so I have listed them below here as well as places them on the map.

For the iconic tower - the parking is private land so the best place to take off and for you to maintain VLOS is by the JFK Memorial - ///complains.worth.ankle

There is loads of parking around the area - all Pay via App or Pay and Display

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 52.47523, -1.884981 • what3words: ///nail.lace.stiff

Saint Mary's church, Cotswold (By gasbag43)

St Marys is a Grade II listed building of stone with a Cotswold stone roof. Largely rebuilt in 1867 It contains components dating back to the early 13th-century

Parts of Emma (the 2020 film) were filmed in Lower Slaughter. Locations included the Village Hall, The Manor House and The Old Mill.

It’s a beautiful village to visit and fly over, but this its pretty much only one of 2 landmark of note to view from the air – I would link a visit at least to the 2 other locations I’ve posted in Upper and Lower Slaughter just a 10 minute walk from this location

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.90185, -1.760489 • what3words: ///spend.swoop.client

The Old Mill, Cotswold (By gasbag43)

Lower Slaughter, once voted as ‘Britain’s Most Beautiful Village’, is situated in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.


The Old Mill is one of the most iconic buildings in the Cotswolds, going back to 1086 and is recorded in “The Domesday Book”
(First ever record of Land Titles) although the current version with its red brick construction standing out from the Cotswold stone of the rest of the village was only built in the 18th century


It’s a beautiful village to visit and fly over, but this its pretty much only one of 2 landmark of note to view from the air – I would link a visit at least to the 2 other locations I’ve posted in Upper and Lower Slaughter just a 10 minute walk from this location

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.90178, -1.763595 • what3words: ///flamingo.bookmark.dreamers

Church of St Peter, Cotswold (By gasbag43)

The parish church of St Peter has a slightly unusual lead-in to its front door in that the path is cut between two high banks. The church itself is pretty at both ground and drone’s eye levels and dates back to the 12th century.

It’s the parish church of a tiny Cotswold village called Upper Slaughter - the name comes from old English 'Slohtre', which means 'muddy place' rather than some gory massacre...

Today's village is the epitome of idyllic charm. Straddling the banks of the River Eye, also known as Slaughter Brook, the village has remained utterly unchanged for more than a century with no building work taking place at all since 1906.

It’s a beautiful village to visit and fly over, but this its pretty much only landmark of note to view from the air – I would link a visit at least to the 2 other locations I’ve posted in Lower Slaughter just a 10 minute walk from this location

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.90731, -1.776384 • what3words: ///contracts.tracks.lands

Church of St Peter and St Paul, Cotswold (By gasbag43)

Known as The Cathedral of the Cotswolds, the Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul has stood at the heart of the small market town of Northleach for at least 800 years. Part of the church dates back to at least the 12th century; but it was the wealth of the local wool merchants in the 15th century that transformed it into the architectural gem on display today.

The church features many treasures including its ornate porch, nationally renowned brasses, a pre-reformation high altar, magnificent tower and a peal of eight bells,

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.82957, -1.838976 • what3words: ///durations.topping.hiring

Brockham Green, Mole Valley (By grandad1950)

The village green and cricket club is surrounded by agriculture, very yellow in late spring with oil seed rape fields.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.22859, -0.285341 • what3words: ///diary.pops.occupy

Derby Cathedral, Derby (By D0c.Col)

, Derby, better known as Derby Cathedral, is a cathedral church in the city of Derby, England. In 1927, it was promoted from parish church status to that of a cathedral, creating a seat for the Bishop of Derby, which new Episcopal see was created in that year. The original church of All Saints was founded in the mid-10th century as a royal collegiate church, dedicated to All Saints. The main body of the church as it stands today is a Georgian rebuilding by James Gibbs, completed in 1725. The tower dates from the 16th century, and a retroquire was added in the 20th century.*

*Please note that this video was filmed prior to the bird breeding season.

TOAL is just behind the Church and gives full VLOS. It's in a city so parking is going to cost, but there was always a few spaces to be had behind the cathedral.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 52.92483, -1.477348 • what3words: ///urban.lowest.taker

Mevagissey Harbour (By TMVideos)

Mevagissey is such a beautiful spot. There there are loads of options to fly in this area. But I just loved to show how these little community are so cut off in their little valley. Amazing fishing boats coming in here.

Plenty of place to launch from, but beware of seaguls.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.26934, -4.78389 • what3words: ///folks.accordion.pose

Cassley (aka Achness) Falls Achness, Lairg, Scotland, Sutherland South (By AlbionDrones)

Perhaps the most beautiful unknown Waterfall in Scotland... Cassley Falls, Achness

Perusing the maps while planning a visit to Raven's Rock Gorge we noticed the nearby notation for the waterfalls of Achness - actually on the signage board as the Cassley Falls - and decided, as we were in the area, we thought we would pay it a short visit.

What a hidden gem of a spot!

There is Car parking for 3 or 4 cars on a single track road, a short 3 to 5 minute walk through beautiful woodland - serenaded by birdsong and teased by the sound of the falls - and then the open vistas of the falls - not massive in height, but the River Cassley is a large river, and the series of falls is both impressive and picturesque.

Add in the fly fisherman seeking Salmon, the sunny day, spring colours on the trees and a perfectly sited bench to sit on, and a relaxing time was had by us all.

I flew with the AVATA2 and AIR3, both of which performed well, there is another set of falls further up the river, perhaps next time we visit we may take a walk up there - we are back in that area on June for a week, although by then I am sure the Midges will be out and looking for targets!

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 57.98836, -4.593042 • what3words: ///flag.apartment.tugging

Wey & Arun Canal. Loxwood canal centre, Chichester (By dandf19)

Loxwood canal centre bewteen Cranleigh and Billingshurst. The canal centre is open for a few hours on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays for a few hours. Best to avoid at busy times - plenty walkers, runners, cyclists, ramblers along the tow path. Plenty parkng is via The Onslow Arms - very pleasant looking pub with outside tables overlooking the canal. You can walk in either direction with canal, locks and a few bridges in both directions. Walk some way from the canal centre for variuos TOAL choices.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.07041, -0.517569 • what3words: ///debit.presses.commended


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