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Whitby Abbey and Harbour added to English Heritage in Yorkshire and the Humber by D0c.Col on 21/11/2024

Whitby is a fantastic place to visit, loads of parking (at a price @£8 for 4 hrs on my visit - see pin) and wonderful things to see and do. Obviously plenty of places to eat, but stay off the main streets for a cheaper dining experience. The Abbey is owned by English Heritage, so caution is required to fly there, but my TOALings were outside their perimeter so no issues.

Whitby Abbey and Harbour
At the heart of Whitby, lies its vibrant harbour that has developed over centuries, with human intervention building upon the natural estuary of the River Esk. Uniquely, the harbour mouth faces north, and its piers stretch east and west, creating one of the few UK spots where the sun rises and sets over the sea in summer.
The West Pier, accessible through an ornamental gate, commemorating Whitby’s seafaring tradition, has a scenic route that leads to the 80-foot-high lighthouse. You walk past capstans and mooring posts reminiscent of historic ship handling, evoking a time when ships were manually ‘warped’ or hauled into and out of the harbour by human effort. Local maritime character is enhanced by vessels like the Grand Turk, an old lifeboat, and a replica of Captain Cook’s Endeavour, which are frequently moored nearby.
Historically, Whitby’s location made it accessible mainly by sea due to the challenging North York Moors. Its natural harbour provided a safe haven along a dangerous 100-mile coastline between the rivers Tees and Humber. By the 1300s, traders from across Europe were visiting Whitby, primarily due to its famous abbey and its lucrative salt herring export. The abbey itself, founded in the 7th century, thrived until it was dissolved under Henry VIII. Its ruins later inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and they remain a landmark maintained by English Heritage.
The harbour was Whitby’s lifeline. People often said, “the only road to Whitby is the sea,” due to the challenges posed by the surrounding North York Moors until the first turnpike road was established in 1764. Unlike other towns that developed around a market square, Whitby’s heart has always been its harbour. The bottle-shaped estuary of the River Esk provided the only natural harbour along the 100-mile stretch of perilous coastline between the rivers Tees and Humber. By the early 1300s, merchants from overseas were regularly visiting Whitby to trade with its prosperous abbey. Over time, the harbour was expanded with quays, a bridge, and a pier to shield it from the North Sea. Salt herring was the main export, while imported goods included wine and supplies for the abbey. Notably, coal was shipped to the abbey from Sunderland as early as 1392, marking the beginning of a trade that would later drive Whitby’s prosperity.
Whitby Abbey itself, founded as a Christian monastery in the 7th century and later a Benedictine abbey, was a prominent center within the medieval Northumbrian kingdom, situated on the East Cliff above Whitby, it had flourished for centuries as a center of learning. However, the abbey and its assets were seized by the crown during the Dissolution of the Monasteries and was eventually destroyed by Henry VIII in 1540. Since then, the abbey’s ruins have served as a navigational landmark for sailors.
Soon after it’s destruction it was acquired by Sir Richard Cholmley and remained in his family’s possession until eventually passing to the Strickland family, who in turn transferred it to the UK government in 1920. Now managed by English Heritage, the ruins have endured, even surviving considerable damage in December 1914 when German battlecruisers shelled it during a raid that also targeted Scarborough and Hartlepool. The attack, aimed at the Coastguard Station, caused significant damage to the abbey buildings in a brief ten-minute assault.
Today, Whitby’s harbour and abbey ruins continue to draw visitors, celebrating the town’s rich maritime and cultural history.

Enjoy!

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Co-ordinates: 54.48854, -0.607896 • what3words: ///dumplings.extensive.clutches

The originator declared that this location was not inside a Flight Restriction Zone at the time of being flown on 30/10/2024. 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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Carbisdale Castle, Sutherland South (By AlbionDrones)

The enigmatic and picturesque Carbisdale Castle, located on a craggy outcrop above the Kyle of Sutherland...

Park in one of 2 layby, and watch out for the electiricty pyons and wires, and then fly to you hearts content...

The castle is currently for sale, a snip at £3.5M down from its original price of £5M...

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Co-ordinates: 57.92547, -4.408704 • what3words: ///bedrooms.move.static

Rogie Falls, Strathpeffer, Ross and Cromarty Central (By AlbionDrones)

Just outside Contin on the Ullapool road, you come to the signs and car park - on the right-hand side of the road.

Car Parking is £2 for 2 hrs £3 for 4 hrs, the walk down to the falls is about 3/4 of a mile, and a fairly steep descent, on a good path. Viewpoint above the falls, of descend the steps to the bridge and see the falls from a lower angle.

We visited in late June, and it was changeable weather, with lots of midges, so do use some midge spray...

Toilet in Car Park.

Late summer, you can often see Salmon leaping if the water flow is just right, on the day we visited it was full on force, so no salmon seen.

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Co-ordinates: 57.58915, -4.602499 • what3words: ///dairies.terminal.reference

Coldharbour Leisure Centre, Greenwich (By grandad1950)

A major sports and leisure centre in South London. 9 grass football pitches, a 3g all weather pitch. Numerous netball and pitches and lots of other facilities, plus loads of room to fly.

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Co-ordinates: 51.43592, 0.055093 • what3words: ///little.hooked.empty

Leatherhead Pond, Mole Valley (By grandad1950)

It was very green and full of algae when I went but hopefully it looks much better now

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Co-ordinates: 51.2938, -0.339074 • what3words: ///sums.sorters.royal

Rylstone Cross, Rylstone, North Yorkshire, Craven (By markas)

Originally a wooden cross, erected to celebrate 50 years of Queen Victoria’s reign, it has been repaired and replaced on a couple of occasions, the most recent was in 1995, by all accounts there is a time capsule within the structure containing all the local newspapers from the week it was erected.

You can also get some great views of the dales from up here.

This is only a 15 minute cycle ride for me, if you are driving, you can park on street for free adjacent to Rylstone duck pond, from there it would be a 30 to 45 minute walk along the bridleway.

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Co-ordinates: 54.01437, -2.028168 • what3words: ///toothpick.quest.impulse

Norton Tower, Rylstone, North Yorkshire, Craven (By markas)

Norton Tower is a ruined, fortified structure near Rylstone, North Yorkshire, England, dating back to the 16th century. It was likely built by Richard Norton around 1540, possibly as a hunting lodge or watchtower, and may have been related to a dispute with the Cliffords of Skipton Castle over hunting rights. The tower is situated on a natural ridge and features a bank and ditch on its eastern side. It was later slighted in 1569 after Richard Norton's involvement in the Rising of the North.

I cycled here as it is only 15 minutes from home, if you are driving, there is free on street parking adjacent to Rylstone duck pond. From there it would take around 30 minutes to walk along the bridleway.

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Co-ordinates: 54.00929, -2.038183 • what3words: ///obligated.station.tornado

Ruthin Castle Hotel, Denbighshire (By BernieS)

Wonderful old building set in spacious grounds.

I checked with the Manager that he was OK with me flying there, & he was happy to let me do so. As long as I stayed away from the bedroom windows (!)

I toal from the helipad in the grounds as it is sufficiently far from the main building not to disturb anybody.

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Co-ordinates: 53.11143, -3.311754 • what3words: ///pollution.flattered.scrum

Moses Gate Country Park, Bolton (By Seadog)

Nice little country park, despite working for many years I'd not visited here before. Plenty of waterfowl, trees (more than you could shake a stick at). Surprisingly "countrified" considering proximity to Bolton twixt Bury & Manchester.

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Co-ordinates: 53.55691, -2.390631 • what3words: ///clubs.games.fork

Teddington Lock, Richmond upon Thames (By grandad1950)

A really interesting place to visit with all the fun of watching people going through the locks. Just south is an interesting set of weirs. Just follow the Thames Path.

Really good coffee at the hut.

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Co-ordinates: 51.43079, -0.321911 • what3words: ///stream.motion.pumps

Masson Mills, Matlock Bath, Derbyshire Dales (By D0c.Col)

Masson Mills is a historic textile mill located in Matlock Bath, Derbyshire. It holds a key place in the history of the Industrial Revolution and the development of the modern factory system.

Richard Arkwright, an English inventor and leading entrepreneur, founded Cromford Mills in 1771 — often cited as the world’s first successful water-powered cotton spinning mill. However, the very success of Cromford led to new challenges — it couldn’t meet the growing demands of Arkwright’s expanding business.

His solution was to build a second, larger mill: Masson Mills, constructed in 1783, just a few miles down the Derwent River. Made from brick and gritstone, Masson Mills was not only bigger but also more technologically advanced than Cromford. It followed the same engineering principles — using water wheels powered by the River Derwent — but benefited from lessons learned, with a more efficient layout and better use of workspace.

Local workers, many living in purpose-built cottages in Matlock Bath and surrounding villages, kept the mill running. Although the setting was more scenic than Cromford, working conditions remained intense. Together, Cromford and Masson marked a turning point in industrial history. They symbolised the birth of the modern factory system and laid the foundations for urban industrial growth, factory towns, and mass production.

Following Arkwright’s death in 1792, the mill passed to his son, Richard Arkwright Jr., who continued to develop the business and expand operations. But by the 1990s, global competition and the shift to overseas manufacturing had taken their toll. Textile production at Masson Mills was no longer economically viable.

Soon after, the site was redeveloped into the Masson Mills Shopping Village and Working Textile Museum. However, a major event was on the horizon. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Masson Mills was forced to close in March 2020 during the first national lockdown. A report in October of that year confirmed the closure was permanent, ending 21 years of trading. Since then, the site has evolved and in 2022, the Derwent Hydro group run by the Needle family acquired the mill.

Today, Masson Mills stands as a powerful symbol of Britain’s industrial heritage.
It has entered a new phase focused on conservation, education, and renewable energy. The mill still harnesses the power of the River Derwent through hydroelectric turbines, linking past innovation with sustainable technology.

Now under local private ownership, Masson Mills is being carefully restored and reimagined — with a strong emphasis on heritage preservation and community engagement.
Masson Mills may no longer spin cotton, but it continues to weave together the threads of the Industrial Revolution, British innovation, and a renewed sense of purpose in the 21st century.

At the time of my visit, the shopping centre had ceased trading. The mill, however, still operated as an operational museum, and had a lovely little Cafe at it's entrance from the front of the building.

Free Parking around the mill is pretty difficult to find so I parked on the multi-story carpark attached to the mill. You pay online, or like I did, you can go to the cafe to pay. If you eat at the cafe they give you one hours parking for free (which is all I needed).

The town of Matlock Bath is just around the corner where there is a lot to see and do!

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 53.11235, -1.561875 • what3words: ///packets.shifters.operating


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