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.

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!

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

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.

Where to fly your drone

Filter ()
Loch Venachar, Callander and Trossachs (By IanC2002)

Loch Venachar between Callander Stirlingshire and Brig o'Turk near Glen Finglas.

This location is an approximately 10 place car park with direct access to the beach.

There are plenty of places to fly away from other visitors.

I flew on June 11th 2025

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 56.22609, -4.312029 • what3words: ///space.treat.upholding

White Nothe, Purbeck (By gasbag43)

White Nothe ("White Nose") is a chalk headland on the English Channel coast at the eastern end of Ringstead Bay, east of Weymouth in Dorset,

Its distinctive flanks are the result of prehistoric landslides and the inaccessible slopes of the undercliff provide a secluded wildlife habitat. Looking along the coast from the TOAL point towards Bat’s Head was clear evidence of a recent landlside

Walking to the base of White Nothe along the shore from Ringstead Bay is possible, but it is cut off at high tide, so much care should be taken. At the top of the Smugglers path to the top of the headland is a protruding nose shape coming out of the white cliff, giving the name to the area.

The area is partly owned by the National Trust and the nearest car park is theirs (Ringstead Bay) which is a 25 minute walk to the location.

From the top of White Nothe, to the east, the chalk headland of Bat's Head can be viewed along with just the top part of Durdle Door.

Situated at the top of White Nothe is a World War II pillbox, constructed in 1940–41 of brick and concrete, as part of the anti-invasion measures. Unusually, the structure is also fitted with a Royal Observer Corps observation post built on top, which was to spot and report aircraft. There is also a row of former coastguards' cottages.

Great views and a great place to fly and photograph, but very windy on the day I visited as the headland is exposed

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.6251, -2.323265 • what3words: ///polka.door.rally

St Aldhelm's chapel, Purbeck (By gasbag43)

St Aldhelm's Chapel is a Norman chapel on St Aldhelm's Head just beyond the village of Worth Matravers, Swanage, Dorset.

It stands close to the cliffs, 350 feet above sea level and is a Grade I listed building.

The square stone chapel stands within a low circular earthwork, which may be the remains of a pre-Conquest Christian enclosure.

The building has several architectural features which are unusual for a chapel, most noticeably from the outside its square shape.

That whole stretch of Dorset’s Jurassic coastline is great drone flying land/seascape, but borders the Portland and Lulworth airspace restriction zones so care needs to be exercised if these are in effect (both are normally just Mon-Fri but check before flying).

This location is NOT in either of these FRZ’s

Parking is 1.5 miles away so good walk-in is required to get to the TOAL point which is from a public footpath close to the chapel

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.57961, -2.056739 • what3words: ///roadblock.device.baseless

Cromford Mills, Matlock, Derbyshire Dales (By D0c.Col)

Cromford Mills — nestled in the Derwent Valley of Derbyshire is a peaceful and relatively quiet place today, but it was once the beating heart of an industrial revolution that helped change the world. It all began in 1771, when a man named Richard Arkwright built the world’s first water-powered cotton spinning mill right here in Crompton, which laid the foundation for his fortune. Using his revolutionary patented Water Frame, Arkwright pioneered a new system of production — one that brought together power, machinery, and labour under a single roof. This wasn’t just a mill — it was the blueprint for the modern factory, and Cromford became the prototype for industrial towns across the globe.

I parked in the museum itself which cost £1 for an hour at the time of my visit. TOAL was near the church on the site, but there are a number of places about to choose from.

There is a cafe and toilets on site and the place itself is free to access.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 53.10927, -1.555188 • what3words: ///trains.overlooks.jiggle

Carshalton ponds, Sutton (By grandad1950)

Interesting set of linked ponds fed by a natural spring right in the centre of Old Carshalton

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.36552, -0.163411 • what3words: ///punk.claims.looked

Hambledon Hill, North Dorset (By gasbag43)

Hambledon Hill is a prehistoric hill fort in Dorset, England, in the Blackmore Vale five miles northwest of Blandford Forum. The hill itself is a chalk outcrop, on the southwestern corner of Cranborne Chase, separated from the Dorset Downs by the River Stour. It is owned by the National Trust.

Its earliest occupation was in the Neolithic period when a pair of causewayed enclosures were dug at the top of the hill. They were linked by a bank and ditch running northwest–southeast. Two long barrows also stood within the complex.

Overall size is 1,350,000 sq ft with radiocarbon analysis showing the site dates back to circa 3000BC

TOAL was from the public footpaths that cross its summit. Parking was in a layby (4 car spaces) in the village below

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.91304, -2.222071 • what3words: ///pinch.automatic.mice

Swanage Pier (By gasbag43)

Swanage Pier is a Victorian pier which extends into the southern end of Swanage Bay in the south-east of Dorset. It was built in 1895 for passenger ship services.

An older pier, 750 feet long, opened 1860, was used by local quarries to ship stone, but it fell into decline with only its timber piles remaining today (the posts are much photographed, particularly for moody long exposure shots) and can clearly be seen in this aerial shot of the old and new piers.

The restored “new” pier was awarded Pier of the Year in 2012 and is a Grade II listed building.

Parking was free for an hour on the seafront next to the pier and TOAL was from the park opposite the entrance.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.60878, -1.950567 • what3words: ///dime.nags.hostels

Crawford Bridge, North Dorset (By gasbag43)

Crawford Bridge, so called because it carries the road from Spetisbury to Tarrant Crawford, is probably the best known of the many bridges that cross the River Stour.

it is a Grade 1 Listed building. It was built in the 15th century and widened in 1819, and has nine arches

Be wary of 2 low-strung cables crossing the river 10 metres from the bridge whose supporting poles are hidden in the trees which line the river banks

It’s a picturesque setting I’ve shot several times before from the ground – best timed for early morning misty conditions.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.81754, -2.116327 • what3words: ///pines.alpha.activates

Crawford Castle / Spetisbury Rings, North Dorset (By gasbag43)

The Spetisbury Rings (aka Crawford Castle) are Iron Age fortifications, the third in a series of Iron Age earthworks after Hambledon Hill and Hod Hill, before Buzbury Rings, Badbury Rings, and Dudsbury Camp.

In the 1850s, during the construction of the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway, two mass graves were found that contained over 80 skeletons leading to speculation that the site includes an Iton Age war cemetery similar to the one found at Maiden Castle with the dead arising from a large scale Roman attack.

The hillfort is a scheduled monument and being overgrown, is best viewed from the air

Easily accessible via a footpath up from the village below

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.8169, -2.122035 • what3words: ///orbited.newsprint.suspends

Willy Howe, East Riding of Yorkshire (By MickeyMoo)

Willie Howe (or Willy Howe), is a massive Neolithic round mound or barrow that stands on the northern edge of a small low spur of land that juts out into the Great Wolds Valley just 200 metres from the Gypsey Race, an intermittent or 'winterbourne' stream that threads its way eastwards through the valley before reaching the sea at Bridlington.

Please be aware there is a model aircraft flying club adjacent to this site. There maybe others flying at the same time you arrive. Be respectful and communicate with others so you have a clear understanding.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 54.13602, -0.376641 • what3words: ///happen.muted.stems


Show All Locations

Service provided by