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Gloucester Docks, Gloucester & Sharpness Canal added to Rivers and Canals in South West by clinkadink on 21/11/2022

Parking: 51.864407, -2.251596
TOAL: 51.864046, -2.252143

Be aware that Gloucester Prison is 150m to the north. The North Warehouse separates the prison and docks. The photo was taken pointing south-south-west.

Gloucester Docks form the most inland port in the country. Elizabeth I granted Gloucester the status of customs port in 1580. The first customs house was at the Old Quay which stretches north from the lock at the North Quay. The house still stands and still wears the royal coat of arms.

Tolls were collect for many years before 1580. The ‘Old Quay’ was in its day a new quay! The river Severn split into three sections at Gloucester and re-joined further up river. The split in the river was the reason why the Romans built a fort here – it was the most southerly crossing point into Wales.

The most easterly arm of the river came much closer to the city lapping St Mary de Crypt – actually it was the other way around; the church was sited close to what was the river. This was the site of the Roman Quay. The bridge that crossed the river here (Westgate St) was ‘Foreign Bridge’, at the end of Westgate was ‘Westgate Bridge’ crossing the middle arm. The western arm was crossed at ‘Over Bridge’

The eastern arm silted up in the C14th hence the need for a second Quay. River traffic increased in the C18th. The development of the Main Basin and ship canal saw the decline of the second quay after which it became known as the Old Quay.

In 1793 Parliament gave the go ahead to build a ship canal to negate the difficult to negotiate tidal section of the river.

By 1797 the Main Basin had been dug, the canal took another twenty years the last years being influenced by Thomas Telford.

The hole – 16’ deep was dug by hand.

The Barge Arm, an extension of the basin was added (1824) before the canal was linked up (1827), to allow smaller barges to keep out of the way of ships.

In 1849 the Victoria Basin was opened as the port became busier. Warehouses continued to be built until the 1870’s.

Corn from Ireland and Europe, sugar from the Caribbean, timber from Scandinavia were main imports, salt from Worcestershire exported.

Imagine 30 tall ships, barges and other small craft manoeuvring around the docks. Warehouses being filled ships loaded, trams steam engines horses vying for space among the barrel and boxes piled high, imagine the dust from Corn Mills and timber yards the smoke and soot from fires and engines mixing with the sweet talk of labourers and seamen. Welcome to C19th Gloucester.

During the C19th Gloucester flourished through the canal and railway Ages and continued until the rise of motorways and container ships in the 1960’s

https://www.gloucesterdocks.me.uk/studies/historydocks.htm

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Co-ordinates: 51.86395, -2.252449 • what3words: ///spice.tinsel.healers

The originator declared that this location was not inside a Flight Restriction Zone at the time of being flown on 20/11/2022. 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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Midsummer Hill Camp, Herefordshire (By gasbag43)

Midsummer Hill, an iconic hillfort in the Malvern Hills Area Of Natural Beauty, is steeped in over 2,500 years of history. Initially constructed during the Early Iron Age (c. 6th century BC), it evolved into a powerful, multi-ringed fortress, acting as a regional hub for tribal society. It is considered one of the most complex and unique Iron Age hillforts in Herefordshire, in that it spans over two hilltops; Midsummer Hill and Hollybush Hill

The photographs capture the scale of these multiple parallel ramparts which wrap dramatically around the contours of the hills. These defences showcase sophisticated Iron Age engineering and a formidable statement of power that is still clearly legible.

The images vividly illustrate why this position was chosen. The site controls the highest point, offering panoramic, 360-degree views (visible in wide-angle) over the surrounding ancient, agricultural landscape towards distant peaks.

This elevation and visibility made it a crucial strategic vantage point for defensive monitoring, commanding both the hills and the plain. Modern walking paths trace these ancient defences, blending centuries of human history with the rugged natural beauty of the Herefordshire landscape.

There's a free car park at the base of the hill. TOAL was from a small clearing near the summit alongside the footpath

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Co-ordinates: 52.03452, -2.349667 • what3words: ///beauty.argued.verifying

Skipsea Castle, East Riding of Yorkshire (By CutThroatJake)

Skipsea Castle was a Norman motte and bailey castle near the village of Skipsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, England. Built around 1086.
The site is void of all structures but the various mounds, and other earthwork fortifications remain.
The site is owned by English Heritage but is unmanned.
English Heritage forbid! TOAL from their sites so this was done from the roadside, where parking is limited but the traffic levels were light.

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Co-ordinates: 53.97865, -0.229597 • what3words: ///reshaping.vanished.added

St Peters, Chichester (By grandad1950)

A small south downs parish church dating from the 12th century in the tiny village of East Marden West Sussex. A grade 1 listed building

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Co-ordinates: 50.92551, -0.852523 • what3words: ///plodding.encodes.solids

Marine Hotel, Troon (By gaamuk)

A prominent landmark on a beautiful coastline, the hotel overlooks the 18th hole on the Old Course at Royal Troon and has views over the Firth of Clyde to the isle of Arran and Ailsa Craig.

This location is within Prestwick Airport's flight restriction zone, so permission is required from ATC via Air Portal. The Duty manager at the hotel was happy for me to use the hotel grounds for TOAL, and there is a public road nearby if this is a probem for you.

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Co-ordinates: 55.53167, -4.648869 • what3words: ///rashers.impaired.producers

St Mary Church, North Marden, Chichester (By grandad1950)

Nestled in the South Downs is the rather unusual shaped tiny historic church of St Marys in North Marden West Sussex.

Dating from the 12th century it is a grade 1 listed building.

Good walking country around the church.

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Co-ordinates: 50.9391, -0.852658 • what3words: ///wicket.desktops.parsnips

Gardenstown, Gardenstown and King Edward (By kvetner)

Gardenstown is one of a series of villages along the north coast of Aberdeenshire, all characterised by a spectacular and precipitous drive down to the shoreline, and picturesque homes along the seafront.

I used the signed free car park to the east of the harbour. If you choose to park at the west end of the seafront, the roadway is often very narrow and has an unshielded steep drop to the seaward edge. It's especially hard to reverse along safely if you meet a vehicle coming the way, so I'd recommend not going that way.

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Co-ordinates: 57.67225, -2.338658 • what3words: ///everyone.huddling.deflate

Pennan, New Pitsligo (By kvetner)

Pennan is one of a series of villages along the north coast of Aberdeenshire, all characterised by a spectacular and precipitous drive down to the shoreline, and picturesque homes along the seafront. It's possibly the best known, due to being featured in the film Local Hero, but I think it's less interesting than Crovie and Gardenstown.

There was a "no drone zone" sign on the village hall, so I flew from a neighbouring beach to be discreet. But be warned: it's a really tricky and dangerous scramble across fallen rocks to get there.

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Co-ordinates: 57.67888, -2.260431 • what3words: ///crunching.written.decisive

Crovie (By kvetner)

Crovie is one of a series of villages along the north coast of Aberdeenshire, all characterised by a spectacular and precipitous drive down to the shoreline, and picturesque homes along the seafront.

There is limited parking on the seafront itself, but as there's not much space, the residents prefer visitors to use one of the two car parks on the approach road.

I flew from a bench next to the coastal park which heads west towards Gardenstown.

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Co-ordinates: 57.67911, -2.324332 • what3words: ///adjuster.shelving.swelling

Eynsford viaduct, Sevenoaks (By Venners07)

The Eynsford Viaduct is a nine-arched red-brick railway bridge built in 1862 that spans the River Darent and the Darent Valley in Kent. Standing 75 feet high, this Grade II listed structure carries the Southeastern Railway's Maidstone East Line between Swanley and Sevenoaks. It is a notable Victorian engineering landmark

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Co-ordinates: 51.36851, 0.202743 • what3words: ///farmer.clay.waddle

Footdee, Aberdeen, Hanover South (By kvetner)

Footdee, pronounced "Fitty", is a picturesque historic fishing village at the entrance to Aberdeen Harbour.

Despite the number of tourists traipsing through, it's a residential neighbourhood, so I suggest fly with respect to privacy.

It's probably a good spot to catch big boats entering or leaving the harbour, although it was fairly quiet when I visited.

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Co-ordinates: 57.14292, -2.071025 • what3words: ///loves.charmingly.patch


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