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Lilleshall Abbey, Telford and Wrekin added to English Heritage in West Midlands by D0c.Col on 11/02/2025

LILLESHALL ABBEY A LOVELY FREE ACCESS ENGLISH HERITAGE SITE IN SHROPSHIRE

Lilleshall Abbey is a ruined medieval monastery located in Shropshire, England. It was founded around 1148 as an Augustinian abbey and was once a wealthy and influential religious house, known for its impressive architecture and peaceful surroundings.
The monks of the Abbey were members of the Augustinian order, a group of canons who followed the Rule of St. Augustine. Unlike some other monastic orders, such as the Benedictines or Cistercians, the Augustinians were more involved in pastoral and community work, often serving as priests in local churches while maintaining a communal monastic life, following a strict daily routine of prayer, study, and labour.
After Lilleshall Abbey was dissolved in 1538, under the orders of Henry VIII, it was stripped of its valuables, and the monastic community was disbanded. Like many other abbeys at the time, its lands and buildings were sold off.
The abbey and its estates had been granted to Sir Richard Leveson, a wealthy landowner and politician but over the following centuries, the abbey buildings fell into ruin. Parts of the structure were repurposed, with stone being taken for local building projects
The Abbey had been involved in the English Civil War in the 17th Century. Although it was already in a state of decline after the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the site played a role in the conflict as a Royalist stronghold.
During the war, the Leveson family, who owned the abbey, were strong supporters of King Charles I and used the abbey as a defensive position. In 1645, Parliamentarian forces besieged the abbey, and after a fierce battle, captured and under Cromwell’s orders slighted it. The impact of the Civil War was to contribute to its final abandonment as a residence or defensive site.
By the 18th and 19th centuries, the ruins had become a picturesque landmark, appreciated for their historical and aesthetic value.
Today, the remains of Lilleshall Abbey, including parts of its church, chapter house, and other buildings, stand as a historic site managed by English Heritage. The ruins, with their grand arches and intricate stonework, offer a glimpse into medieval monastic life. The site is open to visitors and is a popular spot for history enthusiasts and photographers, and offers a fascinating glimpse into medieval monastic life.

I visited the Abbey out of season so although it was closed as far as English Heritage is concerned, the site is open and access is available at all times (at least when I've been there). That said, the carpark is closed out of season and as it is accessed from a narrow country road you may have to walk a bit to get there. I managed to park right outside the gate but no more than a few cars can park next to the road safely here.

English Heritage have a no drone policy, but if you choose the right time of day or out of season it is easy to fly around the Abbey and maintain VLOS.

There are no toilet facilities or refreshments to be had at this site so plan ahead for relief and sustenance respectfully!

Discuss this location in more detail with other club members on the community discussion forum.

Co-ordinates: 52.72494, -2.389849 • what3words: ///donation.organisms.bulk
The originator declared that this location was not inside a Flight Restriction Zone at the time of being flown on 16/01/2025. 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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St Marys, Horsham (By grandad1950)

An 11th century parish church in the West Sussex village of Sullington. The church is a grade 1 listed building

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Co-ordinates: 50.90701, -0.43911 • what3words: ///propose.inflating.script
National Indoor Athletics Centre [NIAC] - Cardiff, Cardiff (By stubbyd)

Not the most inspiring of images, but truth be told I was tired after being on my feet for the prior 8hrs shooting our annual martial arts tournament.

Also, the title is a little misleading as the 'indoor' part is all under that curved white/gey roof. What can be seen is 'Cardiff Met FC' (aka Cyncoed Stadium) and the outdoor tracks which, I'm told, also hosts the NIAC Junior Parkrun.

There is plenty of parking here, but it is at a cost and being private land I don't know their stance on TOAL. However, there is plenty of on-street parking and spots to TOAL and land from and I've marked one of each of these.

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Co-ordinates: 51.51171, -3.160892 • what3words: ///text.jets.coast
Gruinard Bay, Ross and Cromarty North West (By AlbionDrones)

Layby with stunning views of the Gruinard Bay beaches, great VLOS over the bay and worth a short stop and fly, hoever make sure you are outside flying operations of EGR610 or seek permission from the RAF Low Flying Team first...

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Co-ordinates: 57.85309, -5.472795 • what3words: ///stews.stages.storyline
Bullers of Buchan (By AlbionDrones)

Stunning Sea cliffs, turquoise sea, amazing light, just had to be flown!

A short walk on a dirt path from the free car parking, no facilities, and some cliff edges to be careful around..

Lots of birds, hence ot flying through the arches, and keeping the drone higher. It is an SSSI, but we flew before the breeding season had properly started, and didnt upset any of the birds anyway...

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Co-ordinates: 57.43256, -1.81997 • what3words: ///fallen.initial.dunk
Saint Mary The Virgin, Arun (By grandad1950)

Grade 1 listed St Marys church in the West Sussex hamlet of Barnham.

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Co-ordinates: 50.82365, -0.643388 • what3words: ///strong.fonts.dining
St Lawrence’s Church, Mereworth, Tonbridge and Malling (By Venners07)

St Lawrence’s Church was built for the 7th Earl of Westmorland in 1744-46, probably to a design by Roger Morris, previously an assistant to Colen Campbell who had designed the neo-Palladian Mereworth Castle for Lord Westmorland twenty years before. It replaced a church, mediaeval with a low tower, next to the castle.

St Lawrence’s is unique among country parish churches, with one of the most remarkable neo-classical interiors in Europe, designed like a Roman basilica. All its surfaces are painted with trompe l’oeil classical designs, and organ pipes are depicted on the west wall above the gallery. The ornate tower and spire have close similarities with several significant town churches, notably James Gibbs’s baroque St Martin-in-the-Fields, London. The display of heraldic glass, contemporary with the church, is unique, and there are also some fine late 19th stained glass windows.

Mediaeval monuments from the earlier church were transferred here in 1744 and can be seen in the NW and SW corners of St Lawrence’s. There is a peal of six bells, rung every Sunday and at all other services.

Major repairs were made to the tower and spire and the interior paintwork was repaired and conserved in 2007-9. This work cost almost £1 million.

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Co-ordinates: 51.25872, 0.377923 • what3words: ///heap.skirting.packet
Hadlow Castle, Tonbridge and Malling (By Venners07)

Hadlow Castle, located in Kent, England, was an 18th-century Gothic-style country house largely demolished in the 20th century. Its most famous surviving feature is the Grade I Listed Hadlow Tower (or "May's Folly"), a 52-meter (170ft) tower restored in 2013. As of 2026, the tower, known as the tallest residential folly in the UK, has been listed for sale.

Built around 1838 by Walter Barton May, the tower was designed by George Ledwell Taylor with an octagonal design, often cited as a "Rapunzel-style" structure.

The main house was demolished in the mid-20th century. Following damage in the 1987 storm, the tower was later rescued, restored by the Vivat Trust in 2012–2013, and subsequently used as luxury accommodation.

The Tower was sold in 2020 for £1.23 million and by late 2025 was listed for sale again at a higher price, with its status as a public visitor site potentially changing. It offers stunning 360-degree views of the Kent countryside from the top, features a lift for access, and includes ornate Gothic architecture.

NOTE - this is a private residence so I advise keeping flying to a sensible distance from Tower.

TOAL is possible from a public footpath at the back of the castle. Very open with fields to the back, also good for a flight and some pretty pictures.

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Co-ordinates: 51.22261, 0.339004 • what3words: ///wiped.reason.workloads
Gouthwaite Reservoir, Harrogate (By Osdog)

Tranquil area, good car park from which to launch and land. Be careful though as the Reservoir itself is an SSSI - so don't overfly it. Keep away from the water.

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Co-ordinates: 54.13145, -1.816921 • what3words: ///served.warblers.sharper
St Andrews Steyning, Horsham (By grandad1950)

Dating from 1080 St Andrews parish church in Steyning West Sussex is a grade 1 listed building. Enlarged over the centuries it is in the historic part of Steyning.

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Co-ordinates: 50.89009, -0.324893 • what3words: ///education.composed.outsize
St Peter and St Paul's Church, Rushcliffe (By Fuzzyjack)

St Peter and St Paul's Church, Shelford is a parish church in the Church of England in Shelford, Nottinghamshire.

The church is of medieval style and era but was heavily restored between 1876 and 1878 by Ewan Christian. The tower of the church was used by then Royalists during the siege of Shelford Manor during the English Civil War, but they were eventually defeated by Parliamentarian forces.

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Co-ordinates: 52.97459, -1.015999 • what3words: ///influence.enchanted.keyboards

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