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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.

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Sackville College, Mid Sussex (By grandad1950)

Sackville college in East Grinstead is a grade 1 listed building. It is a charity providing Alms Houses for the local elderly. Check their website for opening times to visit.

East Grinstead high street, just a few minutes away, is also worth a visit for its many historic buildings

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.12459, -0.004021 • what3words: ///safety.pinks.jumps

Garn For and Trefor Quarry, Gwynedd (By AlbionDrones)

An exposed site with the hill of Garn For being half half-erased by the workings of the now-defunct Trefor Granite Quarry.

Free Car park about 2 miles from the quarry, with a fair climb up to the pass at Garn For before then descending 800ft to the quarry buildings - along reasonable paths for walking but not wheelchair friendly, and there is a gate to walk around at one point. We flew from one of the upper galleries, meaning we didn't descend the other 500ft to the main buildings, but we could see them well enough. If the weather had been less windy, and I could have flown the AVATA's, then I would have made the long walk down and back up, but no point when it was too windy.

Stunning views of the North Wales coast, Llyn peninsula and Snowdonia, and a fairly impressive quarry to fly around - including an abandoned piece of machinery or two and some rather cool quarry buildings lower down.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 52.98486, -4.439802 • what3words: ///tint.crimson.matter

Lochaline (By JoeC)

The small village of Lochaline, on the Morvern peninsula, lies at the mouth of Loch Aline. There are some lovely views out toward the Sound of Mull or up the loch itself. The village has a cafe or, if you want to push the boat out (excuse the pun) The Whitehouse Restaurant is very nice.

The ferry to Fishnish on the Isle of Mull runs hourly and is both a nice subject for a little video and a great way to get to Mull.

It's a bit of a drive to get to Lochaline, but it's worth it for the scenery and, if you take the time, there are plenty of spots to stop along the way for a quick flight.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 56.53639, -5.775075 • what3words: ///medium.skate.framework

Blow's Downs, South Bedfordshire (By pcexpert)

Features include a disused quarry and medieval cultivation terraces.

In the early 20th century, commercial chalk extraction brought further, large changes to Blow's Downs. There is evidence of a limeworks on the Downs by 1901.

The Luton-Dunstable rail link, which opened in 1858, provided transportation of lime away from Blow's Down.

The British Portland Cement Manufacturing Company acquired the lease to the site, and were still running the works during the 1920s. Production ceased some time before the Second World War, with the chalk pit being used by the Home Guard as a training area.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.88802, -0.487918 • what3words: ///broken.input.closet

Rempstone Woods and Stone Circle, Purbeck (By Prawntot)

Beautiful secluded woodland with the partial remains of a stone circle amongst the undergrowth. Lay-by and parking opportunity by woodland entrance.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.63803, -2.00891 • what3words: ///mills.skill.open

Holy Trinity Church, Cuckfield, Mid Sussex (By grandad1950)

Holy Trinity church in Cuckfield West Sussex is a grade 1 listed building dating from the 11th century. It has a vast graveyard that is worth exploring. Lots of interesting small shops in the village along with a top ranked Cricket Team

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.0048, -0.143266 • what3words: ///mastering.await.party

Needles Eye Sandyhills, Dalbeattie Rural (By Toby999)

Needles Eye natural rock formation and Sandyhills beach and campsite.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 54.87298, -3.732103 • what3words: ///scoop.issues.listings

Daer Reservoir, South Lanarkshire (By Zipco)

Daer Reservoir lies in the Lowther Hills of South Lanarkshire, Scotland. Constructed in the 1950s, it was designed to secure a reliable water supply for Lanarkshire and nearby regions. Holding around 9 billion gallons of water, the reservoir remains an important part of Scotland’s water network. The surrounding moorland and upland scenery make it a popular destination for walking, birdwatching, and angling. With wide views of the hills and a circular path tracing the shoreline, Daer combines practical purpose with natural beauty, serving both the communities it supplies and visitors who come to enjoy its quiet landscape.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 55.36132, -3.61079 • what3words: ///camcorder.creatures.rucksack

Durisdeer Parish Church, Thornhill (By Zipco)

Durisdeer Village has a Parish Church (1720).

A peaceful country kirk with the spectacular Queensberry Marbles inside – elaborate marble monuments to the Dukes of Queensberry.

Just west of the village, look for the grassy earthworks of a Roman fortlet, dating to the Antonine period (2nd century AD).

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 55.31552, -3.744293 • what3words: ///airstrip.overlaid.incline

Glenbuck Loch, Cumnock Rural (By Zipco)

Glenbuck Loch is a small reservoir in East Ayrshire, Scotland, situated near the village of Glenbuck on the border with South Lanarkshire. Originally created in the 19th century to supply water for local industry and coal mining, the loch now sits in a quiet rural setting. The surrounding area is best known as the birthplace of legendary football manager Bill Shankly, and today the loch is valued for its natural scenery, walking opportunities, and historical connections to the once-thriving mining community.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 55.53621, -3.975772 • what3words: ///slyly.correct.unless


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