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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.


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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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Hilden Mill (By Soupc)

Derelict linen factory, over grown and a glorified birds nest.
Surrounded by a metal fence.
Easy parking.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 54.51986, -6.023072 • what3words: ///soils.drip.cargo

Stokesay Castle, South Shropshire (By D0c.Col)

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!

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

Barden Tower, Skipton, Craven (By markas)

The tower was used as a hunting lodge in the 15th and 16th centuries, and despite a renovation in the 1650s, it fell into disrepair in the 18th century. The tower is now part of the Bolton Estate and is listed as a medieval fortified tower.

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Co-ordinates: 54.01074, -1.923906 • what3words: ///legal.lofts.yesterday

Rusper Park, Horsham (By grandad1950)

A lot of space to fly at Rusper Park with good views of the village and the surrounding countryside

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Co-ordinates: 51.1241, -0.280677 • what3words: ///disputes.lawyer.compress

Kylesku Bridge, Lairg (By AlbionDrones)

The iconic Kylesku Bridge on the NC500, remote and isolated, but so worth the effort to visit.

There is a free car park at either side of the bridge, allowing a safe place to stop, soak up the view and a good TOAL spot with great VLOS - although you are on the edge of EGR610 RAF Operational Low Flying Zone, so do check out the RAF Low Fly timetable - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/operational-low-flying-training-timetable - before flying, and if in doubt ring the RAF Low Flying hotline - 01489443100

The bridge itself is an imposing concrete edifice, but the scenery is what makes the location amazing, the rapid tidal flow beneath the bridge, and the contrast between the brutal concrete and the mist-softened mountains is something quite amazing to see.

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Co-ordinates: 58.25721, -5.023556 • what3words: ///crop.stubbed.pocketed

Cudworth Manor, Mole Valley (By grandad1950)

Cudworth Manor is a moated privately owned historic manor house in Newdigate Surrey.

Not a lot of space to park

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Co-ordinates: 51.16286, -0.268934 • what3words: ///wisely.shrimp.tender

Capel Village Green, Mole Valley (By grandad1950)

A quiet village green in Capel Surrey. Nice pond and a good spot to chill out

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.15038, -0.3216 • what3words: ///area.rooms.march

Pevensey Castle, Wealden (By grandad1950)

Dating from AD 290 it was the largest Roman Saxon fortresses in England.

TOAL restricted on the English Heritage site so best done from the car park.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.81924, 0.333981 • what3words: ///tulip.called.glance

The Museum of Making, Derby (By D0c.Col)

The Museum of Making is located right next to the river Derwent and the banks along the river have been landscaped to take in the fabulous bridges, weir and old and new buildings as part of a regeneration of the area into an enjoyable parkland.

Celebrating the area’s rich history of innovation, the Museum of Making in the Derwent Valley Mills UNESCO World Heritage Site is a contemporary space telling Derby’s 300-year history of making to inspire new creativity on what is widely regarded as the site of the world’s first factory.

There are loads of places to TOAL, but parking in a city is not easy or free. I visited twice and was able to park behind the Derby Cathedral for an hour that cost £1.40.

It is in a yellow warning zone but not a problem for a <250g drone. There is also the sub station adjacent to the Museum that could give electrical interference but I kept away from it and had no issues with my signal that 100% in the 13 minutes or so I was there.

It's in a city so there is never an issue with food etc, but the museum is free to enter and they have toilets and a cafe.

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Co-ordinates: 52.92582, -1.475692 • what3words: ///hurt.vent.those

Ifield Mill Pond, Crawley (By grandad1950)

A lovely spot to fly and relax on the edge of Crawley. Quite a lot of wildlife and a really good walkway over the ponds.

Quite close to Gatwick FRZ so take care when flying

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Co-ordinates: 51.10934, -0.224281 • what3words: ///holly.winner.steps


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