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Elvaston Castle Country Park added to Historic Buildings in East Midlands by D0c.Col on 25/03/2023

Located in Derbyshire, near to Derby and Nottingham, Elvaston Castle Country Park encompasses approximately 321 acres of open parkland, woodland and more formal historical gardens. It's also the venue for our popular woodland festival.

At the heart of the estate lies Elvaston Castle, a gothic revival masterpiece (not open to the public) designed by James Wyatt in the early 1800s based on the original house dating back to 1633.

Today both the buildings and gardens are registered (Grade 2 and Grade 2*) as being of special architectural and historical interest.

The gardens are locally renowned for their rockwork structures and fine examples of topiary, originally introduced and designed by William Barron in the 19th century.

There's lots to be see and do in and around the park - walking, cycling, horse riding, bird watching, picnicking, kite flying, photography, exploring the park and nature reserve.......... but they don't like drones!

There is no bylaw or FRZ preventing flight but some of the pathways and bridleways that riddle the estate have 'no drones' signs. The Park is vast and I visited on a quiet day and the only witness to my flight was a young lad, and I presume, his mother who were both really excited to see my mini 3 Pro fly........so the choice is yours!

The estate entrance, and only car park for visitors arriving in vehicles, is off Borrowash Road between Borrowash Village and Thulston. Just follow the brown tourist signs from either direction and they'll direct you right to the park.

Some sat navs direct vehicles off the A6 Derby bypass into Elvaston Castle Country Park via a slip road to Bridlegate Lane, Alvaston. There's no access to the park via this route (nor turning room along its length should you commit to it). The lane is clearly marked off the by-pass with a 'dead-end' highways sign.

Your sat nav may direct you into the estate by a sealed bridle path off Borrowash Road, which also leads to Elvaston Cricket Club's grounds. This access route is for authorised vehicles only, with no visitor parking permitted.

There is little parking outside of the park but the closest I've found is on the B5010 near Elvaston Lane where there is a layby. A short walk up the lane will take you to one of the Park entrances. I did see people had parked on the B5010 but it's very narrow where it runs around the park and I wouldn't risk it.

UPDATE @ 28/03/23: Post flight information revealed a Derbyshire City Council bylaw may apply to the Park. See full details in the discussion thread for this entry.

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

Co-ordinates: 52.8928, -1.394071 • what3words: ///snacking.heartache.thudded

The originator declared that this location was not inside a Flight Restriction Zone at the time of being flown on 15/03/2023. 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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Low Wood Bay Watersports, South Lakeland (By yorkie9668)

My wife was looking for a spot near the Lake to stop, we found this place, parking for 2 hours is £4, staff were about and never asked what I was doing, I was out of the way by the water, not flying directly over anyone, I am not sure if you need permission but seeing there was no problems with the staff watching me, I don't think it is an issue, it may become one if loads turn up at once, but for the 30 minutes we were there there was no issues :)

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 54.40809, -2.947987 • what3words: ///tutored.bypasses.finely

Dumfries House, Cumnock Rural (By JoeC)

Dumfries House is an impressive Palladian country house in East Ayrshire. It is owned and maintained by The King's Foundation and sits in a 2000 acre estate which also has impressive gardens and an ornate maze.

Although not in an FRZ at the time, it's always worth checking as temporary restrictions have been known.

Contact the estate for permission to fly from their property (I can't see any good way to get decent images of the house and gardens without this). When I flew there I had to submit a flight plan (with risk assessment) and have £10m public liability insurance.

There is ample parking on the estate, but they've just introduced a £5 fee. If you live locally you can apply for a free annual parking pass.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 55.45547, -4.307885 • what3words: ///downsize.short.books

Cinderbarrow Miniature Railway & Picnic Park, Lancaster (By Crackerjack)

Cinderbarrow is home to the Lancaster & Morecambe Model Engineering Society (LMMES) who were previously based in Steamtown Carnforth. The land is owned by Lancashire County Council and it's a picnic area as well as the trains, sitting alongside the West Coast mainline. The site is open 24/7 but the train areas are fenced off.

LMMES have a website, https://lmmes.co.uk/, which is down at time of writing but they are active on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LMMES2018. Opening times are SUNDAYS and BANK HOLIDAYS 10.30-12.30 then 1.15 to 3.45 plus Thursdays during the school summer holidays, check their Facebook page before travelling if you want to ride the trains. They accept donations for rides.

On-site parking is free and if full, there's space on parts of the lane that approaches the site.

No drink or food sold on site nor are there toilets but about a mile away on the A6 there's a garage/Spar where I've always found the fuel to be cheaper than elsewhere.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 54.17614, -2.745829 • what3words: ///mailboxes.wicket.reapply

Stambermill Viaduct, Dudley (By eathen00)

Stambermill Vidauct just outside stourbridge town centre.

I parked on a small carpark just up the road however you can park on the roadside near by. It is a very quiet "park" but its essentially just a field which no one really goes in, perfect for practicing.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 52.45773, -2.134352 • what3words: ///push.rings.await

Staunton Country Park, Havant (By grandad1950)

A lovely country park with a large lake, walled gardens and fine parkland. A good farm shop sells excellent produce and a good ice cream. You have to pay for parking.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.87637, -0.978365 • what3words: ///rural.risk.contracts

Chantry Chapel and Bridge, Wakefield, Wakefield (By richrab)

The Chantry Chapel of St Mary the Virgin is a chantry chapel in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England, and is designated a Grade I Listed building by Historic England. It is located south of the city centre on the medieval Chantry Bridge over the River Calder. It is the only survivor of four chantries in Wakefield and the oldest and most ornate of the surviving bridge chapels in England.

Parking by the Dominos pizza shop, walked to the end of the bridge for TOAL.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 53.67667, -1.489439 • what3words: ///throw.exist.basis

Brecon Canal Basin Towpath, Powys (By stubbyd)

There is plenty of parking around here so I haven't bothered with a market for that, but be aware most of it is paid for.

I have set my TOAL point as the towpath as that is where I was, but there is a nearby open field which is mostly empty whenever I visit. But depending on time of day and time of year you may need to juggle the precise where.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.94416, -3.387973 • what3words: ///croutons.crucially.press

Armoy Round Tower (By UladhLad)

The Round Tower at the site dates from the 11th Century, and historical and archaeological evidence indicates an ecclesiastical site has been here since at least the 6th century. The modern Church of Ireland was built in 1820.

The location is very peaceful. I would recommend avoiding times when the church or cemetery are in use, out of respect for the people there.

I visited on Wednesday 13th August evening, around 8.20 pm, and despite it being a warm, sunny summer's evening, I didn't see a single person anywhere near the church or cemetery in the 20 minutes I was there.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 55.13442, -6.311066 • what3words: ///exploring.dividers.impulses

Priory Park and Ruins, Dudley (By eathen00)

Beautiful ruins of the priory which date back almost 1 thousand years.

Great parking access in the street next door.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 52.51559, -2.085144 • what3words: ///neon.pull.newly

Saint Davids Cathedral, Pembrokeshire (By t0mroche)

Fantastic building in a quaint Pembrokeshire town. Flew just as it was closing for the day so not many people around, but those that were didn’t bother me.

TOAL: There is a tower like structure up on the hill by the steps down to the cathedral which you can walk around the base of into the corner just above the graveyard. I went round here so as not to bother anybody. Didn’t see any signage deterring drone flights.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.882, -5.268365 • what3words: ///copying.cotton.venturing


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