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Powis Castle, Welshpool added to National Trust in Wales by D0c.Col on 29/06/2023

Powis Castle
The present Powis Castle was built in the mid-13th century by a Welsh prince - Gruffudd Ap Gwenwynwyn who wanted to establish his independence from the aggressive princes of Gwynedd in North Wales. This was an act of defiance and in contrast to those built by the English at Conwy, Caernarfon and Harlech in order to suppress the Welsh and consolidate Edward I’s conquest of Wales.
By the late 13th century, Llywelyn ap Gruffudd of Gwynedd had established himself as Prince of Wales, and in 1274 he destroyed Powis Castle, forcing Gruffudd ap Gwenwynwyn into exile.
However, within three years Llywelyn’s principality had crumbled leaving Gruffudd of Powys able to regain his lordship and rebuild the castle. Gruffudd, his son and grandson had all died by 1309, and with no male heir, the castle and lordship passed to an heiress, Hawise who married Sir John Charlton from Shropshire.
In 1312, Hawise’s uncle attacked the castle in an attempt to claim the lordship but failed. Charlton repaired the damage and built two great drum towers that can be seen today, either side of the castle’s west entrance.
Descendants of the Charltons continued as Lords of Powis for over 100 years but in 1421, the lack of a male heir resulted in the castle and estate being divided between two daughters, Joyce and Joan, who had married Sir John Grey and Sir John Tiptoft respectively.
Under the Tiptofts and their successor, Lord Dudley, the Outer Ward of the castle was neglected and needed considerable restoration. Luckily, in the 1530s Edward Grey, Lord Powis, took possession of the whole castle and began a major re-building programme.

In 1587, Edward Herbert purchased the castle and estate and it remained in the hands of the Herbert family until 1952 when George, 4th Earl of Powis, bequeathed the castle and gardens to the National Trust.
In 1902 George began its modernisation by introducing electric lighting and a state of the art hot-water central heating system, and at the same time he worked with his architect to re-establish the 17th Century décor in many of the state rooms, a style he thought more befitting of a medieval castle.
The estate was at its height during the Edwardian Period with notable guests arriving every weekend throughout the winter season, including the Prince and Princess of Wales in November 1909. However, this golden era was not to last as George was to suffer a number of family tragedies. The countess died following a car accident in 1929, both his sons, died whilst on active service, Percy from wounds received at the Battle of the Somme in 1916, and Mervyn in a plane crash in 1943. With no direct heir to the castle, on his death bed in 1952, George bequeathed Powis to the nation, in the care of the National Trust.
In the garden four of the 150m long original terraces remain, the last two having reverted to banks of earth covered with shrubs. The top Terrace is planted with a range of yew trees, a distinctive feature at Powis.

William Emes, apart from the destruction of the water garden, did make improvements to the estate. A road that cut through the park just below the castle was diverted, and much planting was undertaken on the Wilderness Ridge, the line of hills opposite the castle, on the other side of the Great Lawn. The last major transformation of the gardens was undertaken in the early 20th century by Violet, wife of the fourth earl.

The Herbert family continue to live in part of the castle, under an arrangement with the National Trust. The Trust has undertaken a number of major works of restoration during its ownership, including the Marquess Gate,[ the Grand Staircase, and the sculpture of Fame in the Outer Courtyard. Powis Castle is a Grade I listed building, while its gardens have their own Grade I listing and together they form an irresistible attraction that receives over 200,000 visitors a Year.

The flight was inside a FRZ but had authorisation from the relevant ATC and the local council does not have a bylaw to prevent TOAL. I was easily able to launch the DJI mini 3 Pro close from a public path just outside NT property and maintained VLOS with the assistance of a spotter (my wife).

https://www.youtube.com/@DocColVideo/

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

Co-ordinates: 52.65246, -3.15728 • what3words: ///strongman.snapper.just

The originator declared that this location was inside a flight restriction zone at the time of being flown. Permission to fly was obtained from Welshpool ATC. 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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Church of St Peter and St Paul, Cotswold (By gasbag43)

Known as The Cathedral of the Cotswolds, the Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul has stood at the heart of the small market town of Northleach for at least 800 years. Part of the church dates back to at least the 12th century; but it was the wealth of the local wool merchants in the 15th century that transformed it into the architectural gem on display today.

The church features many treasures including its ornate porch, nationally renowned brasses, a pre-reformation high altar, magnificent tower and a peal of eight bells,

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.82957, -1.838976 • what3words: ///durations.topping.hiring

Brockham Green, Mole Valley (By grandad1950)

The village green and cricket club is surrounded by agriculture, very yellow in late spring with oil seed rape fields.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.22859, -0.285341 • what3words: ///diary.pops.occupy

Derby Cathedral, Derby (By D0c.Col)

, Derby, better known as Derby Cathedral, is a cathedral church in the city of Derby, England. In 1927, it was promoted from parish church status to that of a cathedral, creating a seat for the Bishop of Derby, which new Episcopal see was created in that year. The original church of All Saints was founded in the mid-10th century as a royal collegiate church, dedicated to All Saints. The main body of the church as it stands today is a Georgian rebuilding by James Gibbs, completed in 1725. The tower dates from the 16th century, and a retroquire was added in the 20th century.*

*Please note that this video was filmed prior to the bird breeding season.

TOAL is just behind the Church and gives full VLOS. It's in a city so parking is going to cost, but there was always a few spaces to be had behind the cathedral.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 52.92483, -1.477348 • what3words: ///urban.lowest.taker

Mevagissey Harbour (By TMVideos)

Mevagissey is such a beautiful spot. There there are loads of options to fly in this area. But I just loved to show how these little community are so cut off in their little valley. Amazing fishing boats coming in here.

Plenty of place to launch from, but beware of seaguls.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.26934, -4.78389 • what3words: ///folks.accordion.pose

Cassley (aka Achness) Falls Achness, Lairg, Scotland, Sutherland South (By AlbionDrones)

Perhaps the most beautiful unknown Waterfall in Scotland... Cassley Falls, Achness

Perusing the maps while planning a visit to Raven's Rock Gorge we noticed the nearby notation for the waterfalls of Achness - actually on the signage board as the Cassley Falls - and decided, as we were in the area, we thought we would pay it a short visit.

What a hidden gem of a spot!

There is Car parking for 3 or 4 cars on a single track road, a short 3 to 5 minute walk through beautiful woodland - serenaded by birdsong and teased by the sound of the falls - and then the open vistas of the falls - not massive in height, but the River Cassley is a large river, and the series of falls is both impressive and picturesque.

Add in the fly fisherman seeking Salmon, the sunny day, spring colours on the trees and a perfectly sited bench to sit on, and a relaxing time was had by us all.

I flew with the AVATA2 and AIR3, both of which performed well, there is another set of falls further up the river, perhaps next time we visit we may take a walk up there - we are back in that area on June for a week, although by then I am sure the Midges will be out and looking for targets!

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 57.98836, -4.593042 • what3words: ///flag.apartment.tugging

Wey & Arun Canal. Loxwood canal centre, Chichester (By dandf19)

Loxwood canal centre bewteen Cranleigh and Billingshurst. The canal centre is open for a few hours on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays for a few hours. Best to avoid at busy times - plenty walkers, runners, cyclists, ramblers along the tow path. Plenty parkng is via The Onslow Arms - very pleasant looking pub with outside tables overlooking the canal. You can walk in either direction with canal, locks and a few bridges in both directions. Walk some way from the canal centre for variuos TOAL choices.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.07041, -0.517569 • what3words: ///debit.presses.commended

Rousham House & Gardens, West Oxfordshire (By Kirky)

Rousham is completely unspoilt and uncommercialised – One of England’s most important gardens, Rousham represents the first phase of English landscape design and remains almost as its designer William Kent left it. Many of the features that delighted its 18th century visitors are still there for 21st century visitors to enjoy.
A favourite of many great garden designers, in his ‘Around the World in Eighty gardens” Monty Don says “Kent is the great genius of eighteenth-century garden design and Rousham is his masterpiece, one of the greatest gardens in the world”
The house, which has been continuously in the ownership of one family, was built circa 1635 and remodelled by William Kent in the 18th century in a free Gothic style. Further alterations were carried out in the 19th century.
Found this place whilst looking for other locations & it’s a stunning place, gorgeous 360 view surroundings & well worth a visit, was very quiet when I visited although I did speak to one person who seemed very polite & friendly, however I can imagine it gets really busy at peak seasons or weekends, well worth the visit .

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.91394, -1.306086 • what3words: ///obscuring.soonest.upward

Souldern Viaduct , Cherwell (By Kirky)

Souldern viaduct is opposite ( other end ) of Aynho viaduct, was out this way doing a couple of other locations so thought id visit Aynho again which is on dronescene when I got chatting to a local nearby as my sat nav kept taking me round in circles & I got lost, on speaking to him about Aynho viaduct he told me there was another one in the opposite direction which confused me as I thought there was only one ( also explains why I went round in circles )

You have to go down wharf lane which is a dead end & farm fields either side so to save confusion if anyone visits,
Souldern is on your left & Aynho is on your right when heading down wharf lane your go over the M40 with the M40 to your back one is on the left the other on the right,
Plenty of places to TOAL & park - stunning views & well worth a visit, was very quiet when I visited weekday midday . You can actually do both viaducts from same TOAL point.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.97378, -1.270509 • what3words: ///beats.piglet.consoles

Manchester United - Trafford Training Centre (By Airlessmean)

Manchester United football club training ground in Carrington – it’s in a unique location with a pleasant surrounding walk and some woodland nearby. I don’t think you can park in the main car park, as I saw workmen coming from the other end of the road.

You can take off from the car park opposite. Just make sure you don’t fly over the tree line — that way, you won’t be encroaching on the "No Drones" area marked for flying over the site.

You can see the whole area clearly from there, including the solar panels in the distance.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 53.41837, -2.378508 • what3words: ///surfer.replaying.corrects

Henfold, Mole Valley (By grandad1950)

A popular camping and fishing lake in Surrey near Dorking

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.1824, -0.29942 • what3words: ///likes.spare.loft


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