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Standon Hall was built in 1910 as a manor house to the design of Liverpool architect J. Francis Doyle, and is located in Standon near Ecceshall, Staffordshire.
The Hall was formerly owned and built for Sir Thomas Anderton Salt, a director of the North Staffordshire Railway company, but its use as a family home was short-lived and was sold to Staffordshire County Council in 1925 for subsequent use as a hospital.
The establishment of pavilions for tuberculosis patients in 1930 and its successive orthopaedic treatment in the Hall itself established its role in providing medical care during critical periods in history, particularly in the early to mid-20th century when such diseases were prevalent. The medical facilities were also utilised in 1939 when it was temporarily requisitioned by the War Office to care for wounded soldiers.
Upon the opening of Stafford General Hospital in 1983, the NHS sold the property into the private sector and the manor house itself was converted into a residential care home for up to 22 elderly ladies and gentlemen and the outbuildings, then known as "The Beeches", specialised in dementia care for an additional 21 elderly residents.
Some 30 years later, plans were submitted to convert the hall into 19 apartments, and outbuildings into seven new homes, but the planning permission for the venture was eventually rejected in 2018.
The hall’s future was uncertain, like many old and abandoned buildings within the UK, it seemed destined to fall into disrepair, However, in 2019 the Grade II-listed hall, that had stood empty for several years and was being considered for auction, was purchased for the princely sum of £1.2 million by local entrepreneurs Joanne and Andrey Magiy and their journey to transform the disused building into a stunning wedding and events venue begun.
The Hall’s architectural significance and adaptive reuse reflect its enduring importance within the local community and after much hard graft and dedication to the task by their team; the building was rescued from dereliction and is now fully restored.

I parked in the hall's grounds and the management team at Standon granted me permission to film there.

Land owner permission obtained.

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Co-ordinates: 52.91552, -2.286529 • what3words: ///wordplay.automatic.pronouns

Dunskey Castle is a short 20min walk from Portpatrick along a public footpath.

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

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Co-ordinates: 54.83544, -5.109852 • what3words: ///cigar.purse.lined

Boscobel House is a great historic place to visit, easy to find just off the A5, and as it's an English Heritage property, it has their full usual amenities available. At the time of my visit you could get a 15% discount by obtaining tickets online before you go. It has a large carpark that costs £3 for all day (you can leave and come back same day), but on the day of my flight, I parked just passed the house on the grass verge by the entrance to a farmers field, on Shackerley Lane. There is also other historic buildings nearby such as Chillington Hall and the White Ladies Priory (the latter is also on the edge of the Cosford FRZ).

Some of the footage I took was taken inside a FRZ so I strongly suggest you get prior authorisation from RAF Cosford before you fly here. Cosford ATC is not always manned during the day so you need to request their form by email to [email protected]. You need to submit your forms by email at least 24 hours prior to your intended flight, however, they do not check their emails on a Thu or Fri as they work the weekends, therefore you need to take this into account. They have a contact number of 01902 377030, but all you can generally do is leave a message. The RAF also have a pre-flight reporting number of 0800 515544 but I've never had to use it yet.

Happy flying!

Land owner permission not required.

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Co-ordinates: 52.6717, -2.241865 • what3words: ///create.worms.regret

Two fights close together. Park on the small carpark for free W3W " conceals, skips. reserving. Take the right path, walk up the hill with the houses on your left, pass the gate pole, approx 75m the Cave House are on your left in the dip. W3W gourmet. dabble. baguette. Be careful of the trees keep the drone low.
Re join the path walk 50m and you will come to a stone with a hole through it, a arrow points left, follow the path up the hill and you come to the stone sun dial W3W, reserving. walnuts. dress.

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

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Co-ordinates: 52.78069, -2.041029 • what3words: ///drank.width.duties

Gawton's Well is a peaceful hidden spot - a healing well hidden in a grove of Yew Trees, if not for the signage showing where it is then I am sure most would never find it...

Depending on your sources, Gawton was either a servant at nearby Knypersley Hall or a local villager, who was afflicted with a skin complaint and bathed in the waters of the well, which was said to cure him, he then became a hermit, living in the woods under the nearby Gawton's Stone...

The second of 4 videos from that day, and 3 filmed within a quarter of a mile of each other. I was aiming to show the peace of the place and to document what is, given the shaded area and abundance of trees I flew only the AVATA as it was not really safe to fly either of the cine camera drones, I hope I have done the place justice...

To get here, follow the path inland from the Warder's Tower and then follow the signs, path can be muddy, but otherwise accessible to the wall and within, but the well itself requires a few steep steps to be climbed.

Land owner permission not required.

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Co-ordinates: 53.0971, -2.15339 • what3words: ///cuddling.attracts.strumming

Nice place to fly in de morning sun!
Wait for the ferry to leave Ardgour for the perfect picture!

Land owner permission not required.

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Co-ordinates: 56.72145, -5.242674 • what3words: ///brings.urgent.baseballs

Hidden behind the trees on the banks of Knypersley Pool - a reservoir built between 1825 and 1827 to feed the canal system - lies the impressive sandstone Warder's Tower - or Warden's Tower as it was called when I was a child growing up in the area!

Home now to several endangered and at-risk species of bat it was originally a gamekeeper's lodge for the Knypersley Estate, and was lived in until the 20th Century.

Captured at the end of September 2024 with the MINI3 Pro and AVATA1, just with the first blushes of autumn colours in the trees, I think another few weeks and the woods there will be stunning...

Parking can usually be had roadside near the dam, which gives about a half mile walk to the tower, but the road is currently shot for maintenance, meaning you have to park in the free car park - marked on map - which makes it a much longer walk - about 4 miles all told but only about 200ft of ascent in total.

Land owner permission not required.

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Co-ordinates: 53.09521, -2.155606 • what3words: ///plug.thundered.melons

Along the A838 (NC500), between Tongue and Durness, the long road snakes around Loch Eriboll, and at the Choraidh Tearoom there lies a small Highland Stream, Allt an Lagain.

With far-reaching views across Loch Eriboll this small river drops from the higher moors down a series of exposed rock runs and small waterfalls past clumps of bright purple heather flowers - and through one of the first privately built and run Hydro-Electric systems. The water is stained brown with Peat, and some of the exposed rocks are thusly stained red.

Perhaps not as stunning as a large waterfall, but it has its own quiet peace and beauty, and although the wind was on the limits of what was possible on our visit, we managed to make a quick flight up the river to capture this short video, I hope it is enjoyed...

Car Parking available at roadside or in the cafe Car Park. Fly up the hill, watch out for Golden Eagles and Peregrine Falcon though, both had a look at the drone on this flight!

Land owner permission not required.

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Co-ordinates: 58.49235, -4.729075 • what3words: ///deploying.shopper.curbed

Great an quit place to fly!!!

Land owner permission not required.

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Co-ordinates: 56.7845, -5.82922 • what3words: ///views.skylights.crashing

Parking available on the B6011 via a layby between Linby and Papplewick villages. A small walk down a trail gets you to this historic church.

The church is thought to have been built in the 12th century. In the grant made by Henry II to Newstead Priory, part of the endowment was “The Town of Papplewick with the Church of the same name and the Mill.”. Legend has it that Alan A’Dale, one of Robin Hood’s men, was married here. The present tower dates from the 14th century. The nave and chancel were rebuilt by the Right Hon. Frederick Montagu in 1795 (after he had rebuilt the Hall.). In 1855, Papplewick was united with Linby. The Parish is now called ‘the Parish of St. Michael, Linby cum St. James, Papplewick‘. The building was further restored and repaired in 1938 in memory of John Chadburn, son of Mr. C. W. Chadburn who lived in the Parish.

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

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Co-ordinates: 53.05827, -1.187194 • what3words: ///flushes.mindset.clockwork

Built between 1873 and 1876 the clocktower was formerly the offices of the Bestwood Coal and Iron Company. Bestwood Iron Works was opened to the west of the colliery in 1881 and remained in use until 1928. The colliery was nationalised in 1947 and later closed in 1967. The clocktower is Grade II listed and remained the offices of the National Coal Board until 1985. After a period of being vacant, the building transferred into private ownership and resumed its use as offices in 2004.

Parking and TOAL was on the adjacent public highway.

Land owner permission requirements unknown.

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Co-ordinates: 53.02283, -1.178944 • what3words: ///humble.shakes.turned