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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

Land owner permission not required.

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

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.

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Dinorwic Quarry (By AlbionDrones)

Huge industrial remnants spread over about 4 square miles and about 1500ft.

Park at the marked area on the map and its about a half mile walk to the edge of the quarry on good paths, then you have the quarry opening up in front of you. Main paths very accessible, although some are steep, other areas to explore will require some mobility and fitness.

Lots of drone flyers about - mainly walkers with DJI MINI's...

Also a very exposed site, high winds were evident when we visited...

Land owner permission not required.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 53.12225, -4.106387 • what3words: ///email.forget.barbarian

Pegwell Bay Viking Ship (By grandad1950)

Good cafe and lots of space at the viking ship in Pegwell bay. Apart from the ship there are good views across the bay.

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.32887, 1.373031 • what3words: ///depending.attends.scouting

Ramsgate Kent (By grandad1950)

From the East pier you get good views of both the beach and the harbour. Walking around the harbour there are lots of photo opportunities of the town and marina as well. Even the seagulls seemed friendly.

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.33101, 1.423944 • what3words: ///riders.dips.cloud

Kingsgate Bay Kent (By grandad1950)

I flew from the cliff tops as the beach is in the SSSI. Good coffee in the beach shack. Even on a sunny day it wasn't crowded, so a good spot to take the family.

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.3839, 1.441828 • what3words: ///spits.aside.nobody

Botany Bay Kent (By grandad1950)

A series of coves surrounded by white cliffs. Lots of room to fly especially at low tide, but not a lot of room in the car park

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.3919, 1.428545 • what3words: ///curl.played.stage

Viking Bay, Broadstairs, Kent (By RDDronesLtd2022)

No permissions are required to fly here. Ensure you have the correct licence for the drone you are flying and don't fly here during peak hours.
Beautiful location to fly during sunrise and sestet hours.

Land owner permission not required.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.35805, 1.443168 • what3words: ///riding.aside.salad

North Foreland Lighthouse (By RDDronesLtd2022)

I don't believe permission is required to fly your drone here. As long as you have got the correct drone licence for the drone type you fly then I don't believe you would have a problem.
There is plenty of parking spaces at the beach car park (Joss Bay) There is a large field adjacent to the Lighthouse where you can takeoff and land your drone safely.

Great location and even more stunning footage can be captured during sunrise and sunset.

Land owner permission not required.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.37488, 1.445292 • what3words: ///turned.mouth.shunts

Govan-Partick Bridge (By 1AlanM)

New Govan to Partick footbridge opened September 2024. On the Govan side you have Old Govan Parish Church, the Pearce Institute and Govan Cross. On the Partick side you have the Zaha Hadid designed Riverside Museum and the Glenlee.

Parking available on both sides of the river - chargeable on the Partick side, free on the Govan side.

TOAL from beside old Harland & Wolff slips.

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 55.86469, -4.309151 • what3words: ///paint.crowned.smoke

Drapers Windmill Margate (By grandad1950)

Built in 1845 this is a classic form of smock mill. TOAL a bit tricky as the mill is next to a school so weekend flight when school is shut is the best bet

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.37993, 1.393316 • what3words: ///played.stop.cakes

Coldbackie Beach, Sutherland, NC500 (By AlbionDrones)

Some of the best beaches and views in the world can be found in the far north of Scotland, along and near the Scottish North Coast 500 (NC500).

Coldbackie is a small beach, at the mouth of the Kyle of Tongue, sheltered behind the Ravvit Isles, and is found just before you arrive in Tongue from Bettyhill and Borgie. The beach has stunning white sands, edges with craggy rocks and is bathed in crystal clear turquoise waters, what is not to love!

Take a moment to stop if you can, the viewpoint layby is worth a few minutes - just to soak up the views - whatever the weather!

There are pylons in front of the layby, so take care of hitting the wires, and the path down to the beach is steep and slippery, so best only attempt if you have good mobility and decent footwear...

Land owner permission not required.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 58.50934, -4.385841 • what3words: ///barn.rags.drooling


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