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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

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. Landowner permission may be required before taking off.

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Carbisdale Castle, Sutherland South (By AlbionDrones)

The enigmatic and picturesque Carbisdale Castle, located on a craggy outcrop above the Kyle of Sutherland...

Park in one of 2 layby, and watch out for the electiricty pyons and wires, and then fly to you hearts content...

The castle is currently for sale, a snip at £3.5M down from its original price of £5M...

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 57.92547, -4.408704 • what3words: ///bedrooms.move.static

Rogie Falls, Strathpeffer, Ross and Cromarty Central (By AlbionDrones)

Just outside Contin on the Ullapool road, you come to the signs and car park - on the right-hand side of the road.

Car Parking is £2 for 2 hrs £3 for 4 hrs, the walk down to the falls is about 3/4 of a mile, and a fairly steep descent, on a good path. Viewpoint above the falls, of descend the steps to the bridge and see the falls from a lower angle.

We visited in late June, and it was changeable weather, with lots of midges, so do use some midge spray...

Toilet in Car Park.

Late summer, you can often see Salmon leaping if the water flow is just right, on the day we visited it was full on force, so no salmon seen.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 57.58915, -4.602499 • what3words: ///dairies.terminal.reference

Coldharbour Leisure Centre, Greenwich (By grandad1950)

A major sports and leisure centre in South London. 9 grass football pitches, a 3g all weather pitch. Numerous netball and pitches and lots of other facilities, plus loads of room to fly.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.43592, 0.055093 • what3words: ///little.hooked.empty

Leatherhead Pond, Mole Valley (By grandad1950)

It was very green and full of algae when I went but hopefully it looks much better now

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.2938, -0.339074 • what3words: ///sums.sorters.royal

Rylstone Cross, Rylstone, North Yorkshire, Craven (By markas)

Originally a wooden cross, erected to celebrate 50 years of Queen Victoria’s reign, it has been repaired and replaced on a couple of occasions, the most recent was in 1995, by all accounts there is a time capsule within the structure containing all the local newspapers from the week it was erected.

You can also get some great views of the dales from up here.

This is only a 15 minute cycle ride for me, if you are driving, you can park on street for free adjacent to Rylstone duck pond, from there it would be a 30 to 45 minute walk along the bridleway.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 54.01437, -2.028168 • what3words: ///toothpick.quest.impulse

Norton Tower, Rylstone, North Yorkshire, Craven (By markas)

Norton Tower is a ruined, fortified structure near Rylstone, North Yorkshire, England, dating back to the 16th century. It was likely built by Richard Norton around 1540, possibly as a hunting lodge or watchtower, and may have been related to a dispute with the Cliffords of Skipton Castle over hunting rights. The tower is situated on a natural ridge and features a bank and ditch on its eastern side. It was later slighted in 1569 after Richard Norton's involvement in the Rising of the North.

I cycled here as it is only 15 minutes from home, if you are driving, there is free on street parking adjacent to Rylstone duck pond. From there it would take around 30 minutes to walk along the bridleway.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 54.00929, -2.038183 • what3words: ///obligated.station.tornado

Ruthin Castle Hotel, Denbighshire (By BernieS)

Wonderful old building set in spacious grounds.

I checked with the Manager that he was OK with me flying there, & he was happy to let me do so. As long as I stayed away from the bedroom windows (!)

I toal from the helipad in the grounds as it is sufficiently far from the main building not to disturb anybody.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 53.11143, -3.311754 • what3words: ///pollution.flattered.scrum

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


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