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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.

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

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.

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Packet Boat Basin Bolton-le-Sands (By George16)

The basin is a wider area of the canal in the centre of the village. Quite often there are boats moored there which can enhance the view. There are two canal bridges there that are quite photogenic however be aware of minor powerlines crossing the bridge. There is good parking on mainstreet just over the bridge.

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 54.10514, -2.79073 • what3words: ///

Slaugham Mill Pond West Sussex (By grandad1950)

Tucked away up a lane in the village of Slaugham is the fishing lake and fishing club.

Very small car park with a tricky TOAL.

Nice church in the village.

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.03387, -0.210758 • what3words: ///

Lytham Hall (By leonteale)

Description of the Flight: This footage was captured during the Christmas event in December 2024. The flight took place on a quiet Saturday evening at 8 pm, with no one around, providing a serene and uninterrupted environment for a quick couple of shots of the lights/house for the Mrs.

Permission to Fly: The location is just inside Blackpool ATC's No-Fly Zone. However, Blackpool ATC is very accommodating. You can request permission to fly directly from them or alternatively, fly just outside the zone and use your drone's zoom capabilities to capture footage safely as it is right on the very edge.

Parking: Onsite parking is available. During the event, parking was free, but it’s normally paid outside of such occasions. Make sure to check current parking rates if you visit outside event timings.

Accessibility and Other Information: The site is easily accessible, making it ideal for drone enthusiasts of all experience levels. For those planning to visit during quieter times, it’s worth noting that the area is typically peaceful after event hours, offering a calm environment for uninterrupted drone flights.

Tips:

If flying close to or within the NFZ, ensure you communicate with Blackpool ATC well in advance for a smooth approval process.

Land owner permission not required.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 53.7442, -2.976407 • what3words: ///

Staplefield Common, West Sussex (By grandad1950)

During the winter months I often use cricket grounds as a place to fly. They are usually quiet and they are usually large open spaces with room to fly. Quite often they are in pretty villages or surrounded by countryside. This is Staplefield Cricket ground on Staplefield Common.

If you are looking for somewhere to fly, to practice or just take a few snaps seek out your local cricket grounds.

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.03872, -0.183171 • what3words: ///

Rievaulx Abbey, Helmsley (By D0c.Col)

Was just a quick impromtu visit as was having lunch in nearby Helmsley. The Abbey is an English Heritage property so watch out for any overzelous staff. There are the usual English Heritage on-site amenities available including parking.

Rievaulx Abbey is a historic monastery located near Helmsley in North Yorkshire, England. Founded in 1132 by Cistercian monks from Clairvaux, it became one of England's most powerful and wealthy abbeys and is renowned for its stunning Gothic architecture, large arches and intricate stonework. Even as a ruin, it showcases the grandeur of medieval monastic life.
Nestled in a tranquil valley, surrounded by the North York Moors, it offers breathtaking views and a sense of seclusion, reflecting the monks' desire for peace and contemplation.
The abbey was a religious, economic, and cultural hub, with monks leading a life of prayer, study, and labour. They also managed vast estates and were skilled in agriculture and sheep farming.
At its peak, the Abbey housed over 140 monks and 500 lay brothers, making it a major influence in the Cistercian order and the local economy. Like many others, the abbey fell into decline after the Dissolution of the Monasteries under King Henry VIII in 1538, when it was stripped of its wealth and abandoned.
Managed by English Heritage, the Abbey is a popular tourist destination and visitors can explore its ruins, learn about its history through the museum, and enjoy the serene surroundings.
Rievaulx Abbey stands as a striking testament to medieval monastic life and holds a significant place in England's religious and cultural heritage. Its impressive ruins continue to captivate visitors, offering a glimpse into its storied past and a serene space for reflection.

There are a couple of places on the adjacent road to TOAL and maintain VLOS and if it's not too busy you can park on the roadside.

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 54.25816, -1.118545 • what3words: ///

Bolney Crickey Ground (By grandad1950)

The large and popular cricket ground at Bolney has lots of room to fly.

The pavilion is part cricket pavilion and part community centre for the village with a good bar on match days.

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.99024, -0.201529 • what3words: ///

Tentsmuir Point - Tayport, Fife (By kyleireland)

Summarised rules;
Follow CAA Guidance, Don't bother people and try to not disturb nature.
Leave the area as your arrived.

You require permission with higher impact filiming; e.g requiring a lot of equipment placed around the area or vehicles.

Don't go too far South as there is a Flight Restriction Zone for Leuchars.

Land owner permission not required.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 56.44359, -2.819978 • what3words: ///

Tentsmuir Beaches (North) - Tayport, Fife (By kyleireland)

Summarised rules;
Follow CAA Guidance, Don't bother people and try to not disturb nature.
Leave the area as your arrived.

You require permission with higher impact filiming; e.g requiring a lot of equipment placed around the area or vehicles.

Don't go too far South as there is a Flight Restriction Zone for Leuchars.

Land owner permission not required.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 56.43915, -2.848935 • what3words: ///

Castle Howard (By D0c.Col)

Castle Howard is a stately home in North Yorkshire. It is hidden from the main roads, but there are a number of public paths in the area that surround the estate.

The construction of Castle Howard was commissioned by Charles Howard, the 3rd Earl of Carlisle, as a grand country residence. The site was originally a medieval castle and manor, but the 3rd Earl envisioned a modern and lavish palace-like home. The renowned architect Sir John Vanbrugh, who was not formally trained as an architect but was a dramatist and designer, created the design. This was one of his first architectural projects, and he collaborated with Nicholas Hawksmoor, an experienced architect. The building process took over a century to complete (1699–1811). During this time, different generations of the Howard family contributed to its development, leading to a blend of Baroque, Palladian, and Neoclassical styles in its architecture. The centerpiece of the estate is its grand dome, a striking feature of Baroque design. The south front features elaborate decoration, while the west wing reflects more subdued Palladian influences. Today, the house's final appearance only partially reflects its original idealized design and rather than having two identical wings, it now showcases an extravagant asymmetry that is at odds with Vanbrugh's Baroque vision.

Castle Howard has been home to the Howard family for over 300 years, though they initially resided in another house nearby while construction was ongoing. The house has witnessed significant historical events, including periods of financial hardship for the family that occasionally delayed construction or maintenance. During World War II, Castle Howard was partially used by the military and suffered a devastating fire in 1940 that destroyed significant portions of the house, including the central dome, and many irreplaceable works of art and furnishings were lost. Post-war, the Howard family undertook extensive restoration efforts, including rebuilding the dome, a scaled down version of St Paul’s Cathedral, and repairing damaged sections. Castle Howard remains a family home but is also a major tourist attraction, drawing visitors from around the world.

It’s been featured prominently in popular culture and is famously recognized as the filming location for the 1981 television adaptation of Brideshead Revisited along with the 2008 film version, and not only did it feature in the TV series, Victoria, it was also visited by the real Queen Victoria and Albert in 1850. Its art collection, gardens, and architecture have cemented its reputation as one of the great treasure houses of England.

The estate covers over 13,000 acres, including landscaped gardens, lakes, and woodlands. Features such as the Atlas Fountain, Temple of the Four Winds, and Mausoleum are iconic parts of the landscape. The 11th generation of the Howard Family hosts events throughout the year, from classical concerts to seasonal celebrations, it is not only an architectural gem but also a testament to the endurance and vision of the Howard family through the centuries.

I parked in a couple of places but the estate carpark is easily accessed and is free (at least on the day I visited). VLOS isn't easy so I would take a spotter unless you want to film within the estate grounds (it's not NT, and is owned and run by the family as a business so check out their website for their filming policies). It's fair to say that the grounds are vast and therefore, filming from a secluded area would not be a problem in my experience!

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 54.12166, -0.907573 • what3words: ///

Whitemans Green (By grandad1950)

Home to Haywards Heath Rugby Club , who are actually quite good.

The green has about 4 rugby pitches, half a dozen football pitches and loads of space to fly.

It can obviously be quite busy at weekends. Mid week lots of room to practice.

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.0151, -0.151094 • what3words: ///


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