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Welford Park added to Historic Buildings in South East by clinkadink on 25/02/2023

Parking: 51.460021, -1.415705
TOAL: 51.455132, -1.412745

There is a free car park just north of the park and then a 5 minute walk to the park. It costs £12 to get in, it is open 11 am to 5 pm. I got there at 4 pm, so haggled him down to a tenner.

During the Middle Ages, the monks of Abingdon Abbey owned the manor of Welford. The Dissolution of the Monasteries stripped the abbey of its possessions, but rather than sell off Welford, Henry VIII kept it for himself as a hunting lodge. Then in 1546, he granted it to Sir Thomas Parry, a courtier and later Treasurer to Elizabeth I.

In 1618 the Parry's sold Welford to Sir Francis Jones, soon to become Lord Mayor of London. This is the only time in the long history of Welford Park that the estate has been sold. In 1652 Richard Jones, Sir Francis' grandson, had the elegant brick house we see today built by architect John Jackson. Richard died without a male heir, and his daughter Mary married John Archer.

It was an altogether different Archer who had a more profound effect on Welford. In 1700 Thomas Archer married Eleanor Archer, Mary's daughter. Despite the confusion of names, Thomas was not related to the Welford Archers. He was, however, set to become one of the great architects of early 18th century England, and would leave his stamp on some of the great country houses of the day. The Jacobean house at Welford was really his first major essay at architecture. Archer renovated the front facade, adding Ionian columns to create a neoclassical look, and raised the roof by adding another storey.

An even bigger transformation came later, however, in 1840, when a courtyard behind the house was filled in to create the exceedingly large dining room.

The next few generations of Welford owners are a confusing jumble of marriages and name-changing in the aide of inheritance. The manor passed at length to the Eyre family and was let out to tenants. It served as a convalescent home in WWI but is once again a family home.

Because it is very much a family home, Welford Park house itself is rarely open to visitors. Not so, however, for the grounds, which are famous for their snowdrop display in early spring. Snowdrop opening times usually run from very late January through February. Check the website for current details.

If you are a horticulturalist you'll want to know that the snowdrops at Welford are primarily Galanthus Nivalis. They carpet the ground in a 5-acre beech wood beside the River Lambourn. Dotted amongst the beech trees are rare species like Lady Elphinstone and Lord Monstictus.

https://www.welfordpark.co.uk/

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

Co-ordinates: 51.45607, -1.413458 • what3words: ///moved.whistling.funded

The originator declared that this location was not inside a Flight Restriction Zone at the time of being flown on 25/02/2023. 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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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.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

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

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

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.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

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

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

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

Newdigate Clay Pits, Mole Valley (By dandf19)

Newdigate Village, Mole Valley, Surrey. Charming Surrey village inclding St Peter's Church and The Six Bells Inn. The Claypits are located to the west of The Brocus, a recreational green including a cricket club and Bowls club.Parking at The Brocus seemed difficult as the Cricket Club car park was closed. Enterance to The Brocus is via the bus stop - on foot. A public footpath runs between the cricket pavillion and the bolwing nets, turn left and follow the footpath for a while. Quiet and peaceful location, I saw no one in my 30 minutes there on the footpath. I parked at the church and walked down the main street to the TOAL site, about 20 minutes. . Parking on the main street is possible but it is qute a narrow road with a school. The area is also forms part of The Surrey Cycleway so expect to come across single and groups of cyclists in the area.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.16895, -0.299124 • what3words: ///sting.ideal.flag

Beeston Weir and Canal, Broxtowe (By 360_FPV)

Easy Parking
A few power cables to keep an eye on
Weir and Canal
Football goals and raised buildings to fly under
Great scenery

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 52.91346, -1.200753 • what3words: ///unfair.think.mental

Egerton Dock, Wirral (By Bradders101)

Dockland venue with an interesting bridge. Lots of new development ongoing. Ship wreck situated in top half of dock.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 53.40165, -3.022367 • what3words: ///forces.star.volume

Wymondham windmill, Melton (By bryand)

Six-sail windmills are rare. Wymondham's would be, if it had the sails fitted. It's readily accessible in an artisan centre. I spoke with Sarah in the cafe, who was happy for me to fly the windmill, but suggested that flying late afternoon would be best, with fewer visitors present. Hence the long shadows.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 52.76422, -0.740941 • what3words: ///yard.parkway.laminate


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