Where can I fly my drone in the UK and get £5,000,000 Public Liability Insurance cover? Welcome to Drone Scene!

Wondering where you can legally fly your drone? Looking for great places to fly? Looking for £5m Public Liability Insurance cover? Well look no further!

Welcome to Drone Scene, the place to find great drone flying locations in the UK, view images and videos posted by other pilots and share your flying locations in order to help other UK hobbyists find great locations where they can fly safely too.

Click on a marker pin to view details of that location. You can also add comments and discuss the location in our forum.

×You must login to see Airspace Restrictions, National Trust boundaries and other interactive map layers.

Hardwick Hall, Chesterfield, Derbyshire added to National Trust in East Midlands by D0c.Col on 15/06/2023

National Trust's Hardwick Hall

Hardwick Hall was the home of one of the most influential women during the Elizabethan era. Known as, Bess of Hardwick, Elizabeth, Countess of Shrewsbury, was one of the richest woman in England after Queen Elizabeth I. The Hall was regarded to be a conspicuous statement of her wealth and power and was a primary example of an Elizabethan prodigy house that arrived in a Britain when it was no longer necessary, or legal, to fortify a domestic dwelling.

Designed by Robert Smythson in the late 16th century, the Hall was positioned with commanding views on a hilltop in the Derbyshire countryside and essentially consisted of six projecting towers that stood at the sides of the rectangular house.

One of its main features isthe numerous number of windows that are exceptionally large for a time when glass was considered a luxury. The Hall's chimneys form part of the internal structure of the walls in order to give a greater capacity for the huge windows without weakening the exterior walls. Smythson began its construction in 1590 and Elizabeth moved in on its completion in 1597, a residency that was to endure until her death in 1608.

The house's design was one of the first English houses where the great hall was built on its central axis rather than at right angles to the entrance. It holds an internationally important collection of 16th-century textiles, furniture, and portraits.

Bessy’s self-importance continues with a plethora of ES initials, that stand for Elizabeth of Shrewsbury, carved, stamped, sown and printed everywhere you look. As a visitor your certainly left in no doubt as to who was responsible for building this grand house. Each of its three main storeys has a higher ceiling than the one below, the ceiling height being indicative of the importance of the rooms' occupants. The house has one of the largest long galleries in England & there is also a tapestry-hung great chamber with a spectacular plaster frieze illustrating hunting scenes that has changed little since its conception.

Hardwick was just one of Bess's many houses. Each of her four marriages had brought her greater wealth. She was born in her father's manor house on the site of the later, now old Hall at Hardwick, which today is a ruin that lies just beyond the forecourt of the 'new' hall. After Bess's death in 1608, the house passed to her son William Cavendish, 1st Earl of Devonshire. His great-grandson, William, was created 1st Duke of Devonshire in 1694. The Devonshires made Chatsworth, another of Bess's great houses, their principal seat so Hardwick was therefore relegated to the role of an occasional retreat for hunting or used as a dower house and as such escaped the attention of modernisers and received few alterations after its completion.

From the early 19th century, the antique atmosphere of Hardwick Hall was consciously preserved. And a low, 19th-century service wing is fairly low key, at its rear. In 1950, the unexpected death of the 10th Duke of Devonshire, with the subsequent 80% death duties caused the sale of many of the Devonshire assets and estates. At this time, Hardwick was occupied by Evelyn, Duchess of Devonshire, the widow of the 9th Duke. The decision was taken to hand the house over to HM Treasury in lieu of the Estate Duty in 1956. The Treasury transferred the house to the National Trust in 1959. However, the Duchess remained in occupation of the house until her death in 1960. Having done much, personally, to conserve the textiles in the house as well as reinstating the traditional rush matting, she was to be its last occupant.

The flight was not in a FRZ and the local council does not have a bylaw to prevent TOAL. It was pretty busy, but I was able to launch the DJI mini 3 Pro close from just outside the National Trust property boundary.

Parking is a breeze in the Harwick Park Area and is outside the Trust's boundary.

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

Co-ordinates: 53.16628, -1.30299 • what3words: ///types.dome.cage

The originator declared that this location was not inside a Flight Restriction Zone at the time of being flown on 03/06/2023. 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.

Where to fly your drone

Filter ()
Fishing boat wrecks, Wyre (By Seadog)

When the fishing industry collapsed in Fleetwood many boats were just left to rot (probably too expensive to maintain.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 53.91962, -3.009546 • what3words: ///rewrites.bravo.nickname

St Margaret's Church, Wealden (By dandf19)

Grade 1 listed buliding failry isolated from Isfield Village near Uckfield, East Sussex. Peaceful and quiet area, a few dog walkers. Plenty parking down Church Lane (single track but in good condition) which ends at the church (TN22 5EY). Turn onto Station Road by the Lavender Line (heritage railway station - probably worth a visit but is only open (some) Sundays for their Summer Season) follow the road for a while and turn onto Church lane.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.9445, 0.054001 • what3words: ///slicing.cowboys.brisk

Bradwell-on-Sea Coastal Defence Barges, Maldon (By uav_hampshire)

A set of 11 WW2 sunken barges that were filled with concrete to protect the wetlands, mudflats and salt marshes in the Special Protection Area at Dengie from coastal erosion.

Obviously more visible as the tide recedes but they can be captured also without a low tide at times. Not recommended if the wind picks up as it does gust at that location without notice.

No issues with TOAL whatsoever along that stretch of coast but it is popular with visitors to the nearby historic chapel of St Peter-on-the-Wall.

From eyesight to the barges from a small public carpark is around 20-30 minute walk depending how fast you are!

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.74432, 0.939631 • what3words: ///skippers.bleaker.sheep

East Hoathly, Wealden (By grandad1950)

A fine old village in East Sussex. Lots of room to fly at the recreation ground .
The village is worth a stroll.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.92621, 0.16174 • what3words: ///slyly.thrashed.flask

Wightwick Manor, Wolverhampton (By D0c.Col)

Nestled in the heart of Wolverhampton, England, stands Wightwick Manor—a breathtaking Victorian masterpiece. This architectural gem, with its rich Arts and Crafts design, is a time capsule of Pre-Raphaelite beauty, brimming with William Morris textiles and wallpapers.
Built in 1887 and expanded in 1893, Wightwick Manor was the vision of Samuel Theodore Mander, a member of a prominent Wolverhampton family. The Manders had made their fortune in the paint and varnish industry, shaping the city's industrial and cultural landscape for generations.
The family's roots in Wolverhampton date back to the 18th century, when Thomas Mander moved to the town from Warwickshire. His son, Benjamin Mander, founded a japanning and tinplate works in 1773 and over the years, the business flourished, evolving into the renowned Mander Brothers paint company. By 1879, Samuel Theodore Mander and his cousin Charles had become company directors, continuing the family's legacy.
Wightwick's history stretches back much further. The oldest building on the estate, the Old Manor, dates to the early 17th century, built by Francis Wightwick and his son, Alexander. The Wightwick family had lived on this land since at least the 13th century and had taken their name from the estate owning it until 1815, when it was sold to the Hinkes family. Samuel Theodore Mander re-acquired the estate in 1887, once more breathing new life into its legacy.
Inspired by the Tudor Revival style, Theodore commissioned architect Edward Ould to design the manor. The result was a stunning fusion of craftsmanship and artistry—timber-framed exteriors, intricate carvings, and grand fireplaces—all reflecting the ideals of the Arts and Crafts movement.

The Manor is in the middle of a suberb in Wolverhampton, so if you haven't got NT membership you can park just outside in one of the streets. TOAL is right next to the property so Line of Sight is good, just watch out for the Karen's and Ken's.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 52.58368, -2.194129 • what3words: ///pure.manage.tall

Buxted Deer Park, Wealden (By grandad1950)

No deer but fine parklands to explore. A lovely old church and an upmarket hotel to be discovered

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.98602, 0.114096 • what3words: ///shame.proposes.frostbite

The South Coaster (By pross)

Ship wrecked in Dec 1943 easily accessible from pebble beach.

You do have to cross a live traintrack so remember to look both ways!

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.61459, -3.442264 • what3words: ///spite.squabbles.gripes

Wintour's Leap, Forest of Dean (By gasbag43)

Wintour's Leap is a noted rock climbing location and viewpoint located near the village of Woodcroft in Gloucestershire, on the English side of the Wye Valley, north of Chepstow.

Wintour's Leap is named after Royalist Sir John Wintour who, hotly pursued on his horse by Parliamentary forces, according to local myth survived a leap off the cliff and, landing safely in the Wye (100 metre drop…) below, swam to safety in the nearby Chepstow Castle. In fact, Wintour did escape from the Roundheads by using the river nearby on two separate occasions, but from less spectacular positions at Lancaut and Sedbury.

The area around Wintour's Leap is a very popular limestone rock climbing area. It contains over 300 recorded routes most of which are multi-pitch. It has a high proportion of quality climbs up to 100-meters in length.

The location is pretty spectacular (albeit better when the tidal river is higher!) with the cliffs to the left of the photo while to the right is the "lost village" of Lancaut. All that remains of this medieval village are the ruins of St James Church said to have been built by the Lord of Chepstow Castle around 1067.

Access is via the Offa's Dyke footpath. TOAL site is a 10 square foot of bare rock 10 feet off the footpath (you need to push through some bushes to access it) with a 100 metre sheer drop at its edge and no safety barrier.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.66297, -2.66367 • what3words: ///sheds.spike.months

Crowborough Leisure Centre, Wealden (By grandad1950)

Lots of parking and room to fly. After you have finished flying you could go for a jog .

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.06322, 0.166131 • what3words: ///inflation.behind.snowballs

Tretower Castle, Powys (By gasbag43)

Tretower Castle is a Grade I-listed ruined castle in the village of Tretower in the county of Powys, Wales. It was built around the beginning of the twelfth century as a motte and bailey castle, enlarged in the early thirteenth century, but later fell into ruin.

This monumental tower with four storeys and stone walls nine feet thick is roughly triangular in plan, with the motte and keep occupying the western corner. The 12th century shell-keep is an irregular enclosure with a gate-tower on the line of approach from the bailey. In the centre of the shell stands the tall cylindrical 13th century keep. The keep is of three storeys, with an original entrance at first floor level

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.88399, -3.185778 • what3words: ///reconnect.nickname.hush


Show All Locations

Service provided by