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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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Glenbuck Loch, Cumnock Rural (By Zipco)

Glenbuck Loch is a small reservoir in East Ayrshire, Scotland, situated near the village of Glenbuck on the border with South Lanarkshire. Originally created in the 19th century to supply water for local industry and coal mining, the loch now sits in a quiet rural setting. The surrounding area is best known as the birthplace of legendary football manager Bill Shankly, and today the loch is valued for its natural scenery, walking opportunities, and historical connections to the once-thriving mining community.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 55.53621, -3.975772 • what3words: ///slyly.correct.unless

Olton Friary RC Church, Solihull (By t0mroche)

Lovely building with a spire that can be seen from the surrounding area. Tried to obtain permission to take off from their car park but heard nothing back so went to the open green space behind the church

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 52.42618, -1.809627 • what3words: ///grid.causes.movies

Knocklinny Quay / St Ninnidh's Well (By Howard)

The Upper Lough Erne comprises a beautiful network of islands and channels not far from Enniskillen in Northern Ireland. At Knocklinny Quay there is a small car park and space to take off and fly over this spectacular region. Just upstream is the Crom Estate (NT) so this provides a hassle-free alternative.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 54.23008, -7.573367 • what3words: ///exporters.carbon.jingles

St Peters Church, Twineham, Mid Sussex (By grandad1950)

A fine old church dating from the 16th Century in the Mid Sussex village of Twineham. In the 16th century the graveyard was shared with Quakers who paid a farthing for the privilege

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.96576, -0.217443 • what3words: ///maybe.silks.available

Wharram Percy, Ryedale (By MickeyMoo)

WHARRAM PERCY is one of the most famous deserted medieval villages in England, located in the Yorkshire Wolds. Abandoned by the early 16th century, the site offers a remarkable glimpse into rural medieval life. Archaeological excavations have revealed the remains of peasant houses, a manor house, and a well-preserved church, which still stands today. Wharram Percy was occupied for over 600 years, with its decline largely due to economic changes, including the shift from arable farming to sheep pasture, which led landlords to evict tenants. Now managed by English Heritage, the site is open to the public and provides valuable insight into the social and economic transformations of medieval England.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 54.06797, -0.690014 • what3words: ///fidelity.amends.recall

East Lodge Recreation Ground, Havant (By grandad1950)

A small recreation ground in Havant but with good views to the solent. Junior football club next door so it could be busy at weekends.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.84701, -1.003943 • what3words: ///wheels.grabs.rock

Dubs Hut, Allerdale (By Airlessmean)

Dubs Hut was renovated in 2016-17 but remains a basic shelter. It is slate built with a stone floor and a slate roof.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 54.50971, -3.22247 • what3words: ///canny.speedily.hamster

Oxleas Woods, Greenwich (By llanero)

The area offers a good spot for learning, specially from Mondays to Fridays. TOAL from anywhere on the green. Actually not from the car park as it is surrounded by trees and there may be some interference from the RF equipment on the near mast (right opposite to the water tower). Worth mentioning that Oxleas Woods is not classed as a park.
Be mindful of visitors during weekends from April to October.
Wouldn't recommend to fly across Rochester Way towards Eltham Park North unless you have a strong control of your UAS (you would be flying BVLOS)

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.46613, 0.069914 • what3words: ///rushed.agrees.drank

Camusdarach Beach (By JoeC)

Camusdarach Beach, in the West Highlands of Scotland, was the location for shooting the beach scenes in the 1983 film "Local Hero" starring Burt Lancaster.

It's a bit of a walk from the carpark - not a long one, but uneven ground and loose, dry sand. The carpark was pretty busy when we arrived and we had to wait for a space.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 56.95779, -5.84949 • what3words: ///reworked.admiringly.inversion

The Silver Sands of Morar (By JoeC)

The Silver Sands of Morar on the West Coast of Scotland. A stunning collection of silver-white beaches with clear blue water.

The area is very popular with tourists so you may need to queue for the carpark (which is pay-and-display). But once parked, the walk to the beach is easy enough (though there are a few steps).

There are public toilets at the carpark.

I've marked my TOAL spot, but it's a long beach (when the tide is out) so have at it.

Word of warning - the tide came in quite quickly and my TOAL was starting to get a little damp by the time I landed ;)

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 56.96809, -5.832024 • what3words: ///sleeper.irritate.manhole


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