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Trentham Gardens, Staffordshire added to Parks and Recreation in West Midlands by D0c.Col on 26/10/2023

The Trentham Estate in Staffordshire, England features in the Domesday Book of 1086 and was listed as a royal manor valued at 115 shillings. Trentham Hall was sold to James Leveson in 1540. Sir Richard Leveson had a new house built in the Elizabethan style in 1634 but it was demolished to make way for a later Georgian house. Sir William Leveson-Gower, 4th Baronet, built a new house on the site in 1690 and around 1730, John Leveson-Gower, 1st Earl Gower, erected a hall based on Buckingham House. This was to be substantially altered by his son, 1st Marquess of Stafford, between 1775 – 1778. The 2nd Duke of Sutherland commissioned Charles Barry, to add an extension to parts of the house that dated between 1833 to 1842 while working on a rebuild of the Palace of Westminster. The focal point of the building was a 10,000-square-foot (930 m2) campanile clock tower. The original approach to the hall was from the west, and had an Italianate grand entrance and a one-storey semicircular arcade range with side wings. Charles had continued to improve the house for another decade adding a new block with state bedrooms, dressing rooms, a servant's quarters and a clock tower all commonly referred to as the Riding School. Standing on the edge of a large cobbled stableyard it was the final major addition to the property and sadly now is virtually the only structure that remains of the 1851 imposing and once quoted "elegant mansion ".
The 18th and 19th Century Parkland that surrounded Trentham Hall was designed by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown, the Shakespeare of English garden design. The house served as the Staffordshire seat of the Dukes of Sutherland.
In the southern area of the Trentham Estate stands the monument to the 1st Duke of Sutherland. This colossal statue was raised in 1834 at the instigation of the second Duke, a year after the first Duke's death. The hall was one of many to be demolished in the 20th century, and was considered one of the greatest losses of the era. The River Trent no longer fed the lake in front of the hall, but still passed the edge of the estate. Sewage and effluent from the nearby potteries polluted it making life at the hall VERYvery unpleasant. The hall was abandoned as a residence in 1905 and was offered to Staffordshire County Council on condition that it be used as an institute of higher education. However an agreement could not be reached and with the council concerned that pollution from the Trent would render a residential institution at the hall undesirable, the county council declined the offer in 1906. The Duke of Sutherland then decided to offer the estate to the six Potteries towns the following year in the event that they went ahead with plans to merge into a single county borough, but after their 1910 federation, the new Stoke-on-Trent Corporation also declined the offer in 1911 due to its high potential cost of maintenance. This was to be the hall’s death knell and the 4th Duke of Sutherland ordered it to be demolished in 1912, although the sculpture gallery, clock tower and parish church along with a few other buildings, were saved from destruction, their Grade II listed remains are still on the Heritage at Risk Register.The 1758 ‘Capability Brown’ designed gardens were superimposed over an earlier formal design of Charles Bridgeman but the current layout of Trentham Gardens are based on the surviving Barry formal gardens of the 1840s and in 2012 the Trentham Estate was selected as the site of a Royal Diamond Jubilee wood. Since the turn of the millennium, Trentham Gardens has undergone a £120 million redevelopment as a leisure destination and it’s regeneneration includes restoration of the Italian gardens and adjacent woodlands. The goal is to avoid a theme park-like attraction, but instead offer "authentic experiences" for all ages.

Trentham Gardens is easily found in Google Maps and parking is plentiful, even on the busiest of days in the shopping village. TOAL was just behind the Church and can be accessed by walking passed the left of the garden centre over the river bridge between the white stable buildings and onto the public road behind the church. The Park"s staff are always noticeable around the park itself and although not in a FRZ they do not allow TOAL on their grounds.


My Channel @DocColVideo

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

Co-ordinates: 52.96601, -2.201651 • what3words: ///bats.oath.knee

The originator declared that this location was not inside a Flight Restriction Zone at the time of being flown on 15/10/2023. 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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Strutt's North Mill, Amber Valley (By D0c.Col)

Strutt’s North Mill in Belper, Derbyshire — one of the standout landmarks of the Industrial Revolution and part of the Derwent Valley Mills UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This is the first of three historic mills I explored in the area, each one with its own story of innovation and the massive changes that shaped Britain’s industrial past. Stick around, because I’ll be diving into the others in future videos."
Early Development and Industrial Innovation
The story of the Strutt mills began in the late 18th century when Jedediah Strutt, a partner of Richard Arkwright, capitalized on the power of the River Derwent to establish cotton spinning mills in Belper. The original North Mill, completed in 1786, was destroyed by fire and rebuilt in 1804 by Jedediah’s son, William Strutt, using pioneering fireproof construction methods. This structure was among the first to use an iron frame, brick arches, and cast iron columns – innovations that set the stage for modern industrial architecture.
The Horseshoe Weir: A Monumental Feat of 18th-Century Engineering
A key but often underappreciated component of the Strutt mill complex in Belper is the Horseshoe Weir, a striking and innovative water management structure that played a vital role in powering the mills. Built around 1797, it is now a Grade II* listed structure and stands as a testament to the ingenuity and ambition of early industrial engineers.
Origins and Purpose
The original South and North Mills were initially powered by water held back by a modest weir near what is now the railway bridge. However, as Jedediah Strutt expanded operations to include the West Mill, a much larger and more efficient water supply was required. Plans for this new structure appeared as early as 1796, and construction began shortly thereafter.
The solution was the Horseshoe Weir, named for its distinct curved shape. Its design and capacity dramatically enhanced the control and volume of water available for powering the mill complex. By strategically managing the flow of the River Derwent, the weir transformed the surrounding landscape and water system.
Scale and Modification
The weir was significantly altered and raised twice in the 19th century, in 1819 and 1843, yet it remains largely unchanged in its original function and form. These modifications increased the head of water, allowing for more consistent power generation even during periods of low river flow.
By 1820, the changes brought about by the weir had effectively added 5.8 hectares of water surface to the Derwent near Bridge Foot. This was a dramatic reshaping of the natural landscape for industrial use, underscoring the monumental scale of the Strutts’ enterprise.
Today, the Horseshoe Weir is recognized as one of the most outstanding civil engineering structures of the late 18th century. Its graceful curve, historical integrity, and continued presence offer a powerful visual and functional link to Belper’s industrial past.
Social Impact and Community Building
The Strutt family were not only industrialists but also social reformers. They created an entire community infrastructure around the mills, including housing, schools, and churches. At its zenith, the Strutt mill complex employed nearly 2,000 people, transforming Belper into a thriving industrial town and the second-largest in Derbyshire by 1801.
Decline and Demolition
The 20th century brought significant changes. Many original Strutt buildings – including the West, Junction, and Reeling Mills, along with the distinctive Round Building – were demolished between 1959 and 1966. This drastically altered the landscape of the site. Today, only the North Mill, East Mill, several ancillary structures, and the nearby horseshoe weir survive, offering just a glimpse of what was once a sprawling industrial complex that dominated the town’s economy and skyline.
Museum Era and Recent Challenges
The North Mill operated as a museum for many years under the stewardship of the Belper North Mill Trust, serving as a key educational and tourist destination. It showcased the history of textile manufacturing, the Strutt family, and Belper’s industrial past.
However, in September 2022, the museum closed its doors due to the withdrawal of council funding and increased rental costs. Despite this setback, the Trust continues its mission through guided heritage walks and a virtual tour available online. Exhibits have also been relocated to Cromford Mills in partnership with the Arkwright Society, ensuring the continued public engagement with this important legacy.

TOAL is plentiful, from the Belper River Park behind the mill and across the road that leads to Bridge Foot and the Horseshoe Weir (there is a very convenient wall to sit on directly opposite the mill here).

The mill is unmissable driving through Belper and carparking is freely available just passed Bridge Foot and the Horseshoe Weir. Town is full of the usual amenities and the Belper River Park is a delight to sit and have an icecream.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 53.02897, -1.485771 • what3words: ///freedom.ambitions.goodbyes

Jevington, Wealden (By grandad1950)

St Andrews Church dates from Saxon times and is well worth a visit. It sits on the edge of the village of Jevington on the South Downs Way in Sussex

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.79213, 0.214034 • what3words: ///lasted.pile.jumped

Shinewater Park, Eastbourne (By grandad1950)

A large recently developed nature reserve and recreation area on the outskirts of Eastbourne

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.80565, 0.286943 • what3words: ///precautions.grades.shade

Wray Windmill, Reigate and Banstead (By grandad1950)

A grade 2 listed tower mill now converted to a home

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.2448, -0.183348 • what3words: ///vital.stews.mutual

Allnabad, Sutherland, Sutherland North and West (By AlbionDrones)

Emptiness, Sutherland...

10 miles along a single-track road, on the way to Broch Dun Dornaigil, literally in the middle of nowhere, almost as far from civilisation as can be found in the UK, lies a ruined crofthouse...

The only sign of man - apart from the road - yet blessed with amazing views, I wonder what life would have been like here in the past, hard for sure, but a pace of life slower and more connected with nature than we currently have as a society...

Nearby, the Strathmore River cuts a gorse-lined gorge on the way to Loch Hope, in the shadow of Ben Hope, descending via some amazing and little-known falls - sadly we weren't in a position to visit the falls on this trip, but net time we will make sure to do so...

Car parking is roadside, there are a few spots where it is safe to do so, TOAL anywhere you see fit, but do check that EGR610 is inactive before flying - on this ay we arrived here at 315pm, and the FRZ was inactve from 3pm.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 58.33927, -4.626995 • what3words: ///tags.valued.automate

Munlochy, Black Isle South (By Trainman)

Took off from the small car park that overlooks the bay at Munlochy.
Fly from an elevated position that gives great views and great flying possibilities.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 57.55379, -4.249011 • what3words: ///fakes.dreamer.lyricist

Lewisham Castle, Kennet (By gasbag43)

Aldbourne is an attractive large village lying in a valley within the south slope of the Marlborough Downs in Wiltshire

Fans of the TV drama series “Band of Brothers” may be familiar with the name of the village - "A" company of the US Army 101st Airborne Division, known as The Band of Brothers, was based at Aldbourne in 1944 in the months before D-Day. The headquarters of The Band of Brothers in Aldbourne was in The Crown Inn and is commemorated by a blue plaque on the wall outside.

About 1.5 miles south-west of the village is a small medieval earthwork – 68m in diameter - known as Lewisham Castle. Records suggest that the name 'Lewisham' came from its association with Louis the Dauphin, who held Marlborough Castle in 1216.

This type of earthwork is known as a ringwork

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.46309, -1.650674 • what3words: ///surprised.safari.frost

St Anne's church, North Wiltshire (By gasbag43)

St. Anne's Church in Bowden Hill, Lacock, Wiltshire, was built by John Gladstone (ithe elder brother of the Prime Minister of the same name) in 1856 as a parish church. It was dedicated to Saint Anne in celebration of the birth of a son in the Gladstone family.


The church's design combines Early English Gothic, Norman, and Romanesque styles.

The location offers superb views of the surrounding Wiltshire countryside, including the beautiful Lacock Abbey (National Trust) which was one of the Harry Potter “Hogwarts School” film locations.

TOAL was from a small car park 100 metres from the church and well outside the Raymill House airspace restriction zone which covers the village itself (Raymill House is a Grade II listed country house privately owned by Quenn Camilla)

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.41008, -2.091007 • what3words: ///fidgeted.spelling.vineyard

Bluewater Shopping Centre, Dartford (By richrab)

Bluewater Shopping Centre (commonly known simply as Bluewater) is a large out-of-town shopping centre in Stone (postally Greenhithe), Kent, England, just outside the M25 motorway ring, 17.8 miles (28.6 km) east south east of London's centre. Opened on 16 March 1999 in a former chalk quarry after ten years of building works, the site (including car parks) occupies 240 acres (97 ha) and has a sales floor area of 154,000 m2 (1,600,000 ft2) over three levels, making it the fifth-largest shopping centre in the UK.


TOAL was from the Winter Gardens car park as far back as possible.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.43916, 0.270763 • what3words: ///froze.bowls.object

Wray Common, Reigate and Banstead (By grandad1950)

Not a lot of parking but loads of space to fly. The locals were very friendly.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.24475, -0.187339 • what3words: ///broke.exchanges.invest


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