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.

Stokesay Castle, South Shropshire added to English Heritage in West Midlands by D0c.Col on 07/05/2025

Stokesay Castle is one of the best-preserved medieval manor houses in England, with a fascinating history that blends elements of fortified architecture and domestic comfort. Here's a rundown of its story:
Laurence of Ludlow, one of the richest men in England thanks to the wool trade, started building Stokesay around 1281. He acquired a license to fortify the house in 1291, as a sign of wealth and prestige rather than a real need for defence. The castle’s layout, with it’s central great hall, flanking towers, and a moat, demonstrated a blend of domestic luxury and symbolic strength. Laurence died in a shipwreck off the coast of Ireland in 1294, leaving his project largely complete.
The 14th Century was a period of Prosperity and Consolidation for the family, who retained their ownership of Stokesay, and the castle remained a comfortable rural retreat. The estate benefitted from the ongoing wool trade, which continued to fund both improvements and the maintenance of the property. Although there were no major architectural changes made, the property stayed in active use, with the great hall still at the centre of domestic life.
The 15th Century was largely dominated by the Wars of the Roses where supporters of the Houses of Lancaster and York battled each other to gain control of the English throne. By 1471, it had resulted in the end of the Lancastrian male line, and the subsequent creation of the Tudor dynasty via the union of the two houses through marriage. However, throughout the civil war, Stokesay stayed relatively untouched due to its remote location and lack of military value.
It was during this period Stokesay Castle’s Ownership transitioned by marriage to the Vernon family, a well-established gentry who made the castle their home. There were some subsequent additions made to the property, but mostly minor such as improved fireplaces and windows, reflecting changes in domestic living standards of the time.
The 16th Century and the Tudor period brought peace and prosperity, for the Vernons and they continued to occupy and enjoy the castle. Further modifications in line with the time such as interior panelling, updated furnishings, and subtle architectural tweaks were added for comfort, and as a private residence, it retained its medieval character while adapting to Renaissance tastes.
In the 17th Century Stokesay had passed onto William Craven, 1st Earl of Craven, who was a courtier and soldier from London. One of the wealthiest peers in England he was a keen supporter of King Charles I, and therefore it was no surprise that he took the side of the Royalists during the English Civil War. In 1645, the castle was garrisoned by Royalists but surrendered without bloodshed to the Parliamentarians. As was the way during this turbulent period of English history, Parliament ordered its fortifications dismantled, but since it wasn’t truly defensive, only light damage occurred. It was around this time when the timber-framed gatehouse, built around 1640, some 2 years before the war had started, remained unscathed and is now a signature feature of the property.
During the 18th Century the castle began to fall into disrepair as it was no longer used as a main residence. Romantic ruin culture took hold, where visitors saw it as a relic of a lost age. There was no major restoration undertaken at this time, but its picturesque decay continued to draw the attention of antiquarians and artists.
In 1869, John Derby Allcroft, a Victorian philanthropist, and a wealthy glove manufacturer purchased Stokesay Castle and initiated its restoration, sensitively repairing the structure while preserving its medieval elements.

The castle survived both World Wars without damage as Allcroft's descendants continued to own the castle, opening it to the public and dedicating funds from admissions towards upkeep. However, due to the increasing cost of maintenance, Jewell Magnus-Allcroft, the last Allcroft family member to own the castle, entered an agreement with English Heritage in 1986. English Heritage assumed responsibility for the castle's preservation during her lifetime and inherited ownership upon her death in 1992.

Today it continues to be a popular historic site, with visitor-friendly interpretation and events with the emphasis of preservation, digital archiving, and community engagement. Stokesay Castle is a rare example of a medieval building that has never been significantly altered or rebuilt, making it invaluable for historians and tourists alike.

I TOAL from the English Heritage carpark, which on the date of visit cost £3.50. The carpark is very close to the castle and VLOS is easily maintained, however, as English Heritage has a 'no drones' policy I wouldn't advise this approach. Instead TOAL close to the entrance to the Church where I believe the road is open to the public.

There is a cafe and toilets on their carpark so comfort breaks are well taken care of!

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

Co-ordinates: 52.43027, -2.831084 • what3words: ///slave.deodorant.smuggled

The originator declared that this location was not inside a Flight Restriction Zone at the time of being flown on 12/04/2025. 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 ()
Nonsuch Mansion, Epsom and Ewell (By grandad1950)

The house is a Grade 2 listed mansion in Nonsuch park in the London borough of Sutton

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.35847, -0.228658 • what3words: ///deck.units.stop

St James Church, Purbeck (By gasbag43)

The Church of St James is the parish church for the village of Kingston, located on the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset. The church is a notable example of the Gothic Revival style and is a Grade I listed building.

A church or chapel has stood on this spot since the 12th century with various links since then to nearby Corfe Castle. The chapel, dedicated to St James, was built in 1837 by the local Earl at a cost in today’s money of £4.5m – a huge sum for such a small parish, having a population of less than 200 residents giving it the nickname of the "Cathedral of the Purbecks".

The church itself is impressive as a piece of architecture nestled in the small village against a heavily wooded backdrop with the ruins of Corfe Castle clearly visible only 1.5 miles away

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.61557, -2.064121 • what3words: ///steady.origin.pace

The Grey Mare and her Colts, West Dorset (By gasbag43)

The Grey Mare and her Colts is a megalithic chambered long barrow located near Abbotsbury in Dorset, England. It was built during the Early and Middle Neolithic periods (3400-2400 BC). The monument is part of a group of similar monuments spread across the South Dorset Ridgeway.

The burial monument today is a nearly rectangular mound, 24 m long, 1 m high, and tapering in width from 13 m wide at the southeast end of the tomb to 8 m wide at the northwest end. The remnants of the burial chamber are located at the southeast end of the mound. To the south east end of the mound are four enormous Sarsen stones, three standing and one lying flat

The location itself is of historical significance but its setting in clear, open countryside is what makes this a great place to fly

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.68121, -2.590224 • what3words: ///seagulls.courier.violinist

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


Show All Locations

Service provided by