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Packwood House added to National Trust in West Midlands by D0c.Col on 26/04/2024

Packwood House Is a Grade I listed timber-framed Tudor manor house in Packwood on the Solihull border near Lapworth, Warwickshire. It has a wealth of tapestries and fine furniture, and is known for the garden of yews. The Fetherston family owned land at Packwood from the fifteenth through to the middle of the nineteenth century.
The house began as a modest timber-framed farmhouse constructed for John Fetherston between 1556 and 1560. In about 1570, William Fetherston built a new ‘great mancient howse’ which was later handed over to his son John in 1599. The house John inherited was tall, detached and nearly square in plan, with triple gables and a great brick cow barn to the north with further farm buildings to the east. The last member of the Fetherston family died in 1876.
In 1904 the house and Packwood estate of approximately 134 acres was bought at auction by Birmingham industrialist Alfred Ash envisioning it as a legacy for his son, Graham Baron Ash. He is reported to have said: ‘I bought it because the Boy wanted it.’
At the outbreak of war in 1914, Ash volunteered for the medical corps. From there, he was transferred to the Royal Flying Corps, but wrecked four aircrafts during his tenure. Eventually he served as a Balloon Observation Officer.
It was eventually inherited in 1925 by Graham who then spent the following two decades creating a house of Tudor character. He purchased an extensive collection of 16th- and 17th-century furniture, some obtained from nearby Baddesley Clinton, and the great barn of the farm was converted into a Tudor-style Great hall with a sprung floor for dancing. It was connected to the main house via the addition of a Long Gallery in 1931.
Packwood House stands as a testament to Ash’s meticulous vision and passion for preservation and restoration. It drove him to travel extensively, absorbing cultures and collecting treasures to adorn Packwood's halls.
His driving ambition to rid the old house of any trace of its Georgian and Victorian inheritance was in tune with the fashion of the times. The classical style of the eighteenth century and the dark, heavily furnished interiors of Queen Victoria’s reign were deeply unfashionable in inter-war England.
His dedication extended beyond mere aesthetics as he envisioned Packwood as a living history, where guests could experience the essence of Old England. Lavish parties, complete with theatrical productions and musical performances, brought the house to life, echoing its heyday as a social hub.
Adjacent to the house is a Yew Garden which is accessed by raised steps and a wrought-iron gate. The garden path follows an avenue of trees, which leads up a spiral hill. Some of the yews at Packwood are taller than 15m, despite the soil on the estate having high levels of clay. This cans be detrimental to the trees during wet periods and as a result, parts of the garden are often closed to the public while restoration work is undertaken.
On 30 June 1941, Graham Baron Ash donated £30,000 pounds to the National Trust along with Packwood, its collections, park and gardens in memory of his parents. The transfer of ownership came with stipulations including its meticulous preservation in his 'Memorandum of wishes', in order to safeguard it’s reputation as a restored symbol of Old England for future generations to come. Ash also stipulated that all furniture should be kept in the same position, that no extra furnishings should be added, and that freshly cut flowers should be placed in every room.

TOAL was from Packwood Lane that runs straight through the middle of the estate and is not owned by the National Trust. Parking is plentiful in their free carpark and refreshments and comfort breaks can be had, without having to buy a ticket, from their cafe. There was also a mobile refreshments van in their outside picnic area.

Land owner permission not required.

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

Co-ordinates: 52.34805, -1.746405 • what3words: ///rising.sprinkler.cutaway

The originator declared that this location was not inside a Flight Restriction Zone at the time of being flown on 14/04/2024. It remains the responsibility of any pilot to check for any changes before flying at the same location.

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Recently added locations

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: ///

Blunts Wood (By grandad1950)

A 70 acre nature reserve on the edge of Haywards Heath.
Woodland with large meadows and open spaces for TOAL and a number of small lakes.
Probably best in the spring and summer rather than the cold winters day I went.

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.00489, -0.123114 • what3words: ///


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