Drone Scene

Wondering where you can fly your 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 in the UK? Drone Scene helps you find great flying locations and provides £5m Public Liability Insurance cover for complete peace of mind when flying throughout the UK and Europe.

What is Drone Scene? Drone Scene is the award-winning interactive drone flight safety app and flight-planning map — built by drone pilots, for drone pilots. Trusted by tens of thousands of hobbyist and professional operators, it is the modern, feature-rich alternative app to Altitude Angel's Drone Assist, featuring thousands of recommended UK flying locations shared by real pilots, and backed by a community of over 37,100 club members.

What makes Drone Scene the number one app for UK drone operators? It brings together live data including NOTAMs, Flight Restriction Zones (FRZs), Airports, Airspace Restrictions, and National Trust land boundaries, alongside trusted ground-hazard layers and detailed airspace intelligence — giving you the clarity and control to plan safe, legal flights on desktop or mobile, with no installation required.

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Wray Castle, Ambleside added to National Trust in North West by D0c.Col on 15/11/2023

Wray Castle is a charming Grade II listed Victorian neo-gothic mansion located in the Lake District, Cumbria, and England. It's situated on the western shore of Lake Windermere, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The castle, along with the adjacent church was built as a private residence in the 1840s for James Dawson, a retired Liverpool surgeon.

Despite its stronghold appearance it was never intended as a defensive fortification and therefore lacks many typical castle like characteristics. Instead, it served as a holiday home for the Dawson family. After James’ death in 1875 the estate was inherited by his fifteen year old nephew, Edward Preston Rawnsley. In 1877 Edward's cousin, Hardwicke Rawnsley, took up the appointment of vicar of Wray Church. To protect the countryside from damaging development, Hardwicke, acting on a notion conceived by John Ruskin, developed the idea of a National Trust that could buy and preserve places of natural beauty and historic interest for the nation.
In 1882, when Beatrix Potter was just 16 years old, her family rented Wray Castle for their summer holiday. This visit is said to have inspired Beatrix's love for the Lake District, and it marked the beginning of her deep affection for the region. She eventually settled in the Lake District and purchased Hill Top Farm in Near Sawrey. It is said that the landscapes and surroundings of the Lake District, including her memories of Wray Castle, greatly influenced her work as a renowned author and illustrator, creating beloved children's books such as "The Tale of Peter Rabbit.”
In 1929 Wray Castle, along with 64 acres of land, were given to the National Trust by Sir Noton and Lady Barclay, the owners at that time. Since then, the castle has been used for a variety of purposes, such as a youth hostel, and from 1931 it housed the offices of the Freshwater Biological Association. From 1958 to 1998 it became a training college for Merchant Navy radio officers and was known as RMS Wray Castle).

In 2011 the National Trust proposed to lease the property stripped of its furnishings, for use as a hotel, but instead opened it to the public during the visitor season that year. High visitor numbers meant that the property had clear potential to be developed as a visitor attraction. In 2014 the Trust applied for retrospective planning permission to change the use of the listed building to visitor attraction and today, the public can explore its rooms, enjoy the beautiful grounds, and even participate in various family-friendly activities. The castle has a relaxed atmosphere, making it a delightful destination for those looking to experience the charm of the Lake District.

There is plenty of parking within the grounds itself and a number of National Trust granted public paths follow the Windermere Shoreline and across the property. I was able to launch the DJI mini 3 Pro from one of the Public Paths close to the Windermere Shoreline but inside the National Trust Property boundary. The castle was closed, as it was out-of-season, and VLOS was maintained, on this occasion, with the assistance of a spotter. Although there were plenty of walkers taking in the scenery at the time, I had no interaction with any of them! I suspect it maybe a different story in-season so be aware!

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

Co-ordinates: 54.39904, -2.962124 • what3words: ///wreck.exposing.responses

The originator declared that this location was not inside a Flight Restriction Zone at the time of being flown on 03/11/2023. 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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St Peters Hamsey, Lewes (By grandad1950)

The tiny hamlet of Hamsey in the South Downs National park has a lovely ancient grade 1 listed church of St Peters and fine views over the river ouse. It is reached via a long single lane track with little parking if you drive

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.89117, 0.009614 • what3words: ///fire.consults.diet

The Bishop's Palace, Cardiff (By gasbag43)

The Bishop’s Palace at Llandaff was once the fortified residence of the Bishops of Llandaff. Constructed primarily in the late 13th century, it served as a symbol of ecclesiastical power and a necessary defence against local unrest.

The palace was largely destroyed during the rebellion of Owain Glyndŵr in 1404, leaving it the ruin seen today.

The Twin-Towered Gatehouse: In Photo 1, the massive gatehouse dominates the lower right corner. Its ruined state reveals the thick stone masonry required for a fortified manor.

The Curtain Wall: Photo 2 captures the rectangular "enclosure" layout. You can see the surviving stone walls that originally protected the inner courtyard, now a peaceful green space. This space once contained a magnificent Great Hall against the far wall, where the Bishop would host guests and conduct legal business.

To the rear of the site (visible in the top-left of the photos near the modern scaffolding), there would have been private chambers, kitchens, and storehouses that supported a large medieval household.

Modern Preservation: In both photos, blue scaffolding and protective fencing are visible on the far corner, highlighting ongoing conservation efforts to stabilize the medieval masonry for future generations.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.49446, -3.217337 • what3words: ///return.asks.bits

Llandaff Cathedral, Cardiff (By gasbag43)

Llandaff Cathedral stands on one of Britain's oldest Christian sites, with roots reaching back to a 6th-century community founded by St. Dyfrig. The present structure began in 1107 under Bishop Urban. Over centuries, it evolved through Gothic expansions, suffered devastation during the English Civil War, and faced near-ruin after the "Great Storm" of 1703.

The top-down view highlights the cathedral’s unique "long-church" floor plan, lacking the traditional transepts (the "arms" of a cross). You can clearly see the moss-covered central nave and the Lady Chapel extending to the east.

The side profile image showcases the striking asymmetry of its West Front with the Jasper Tudor Tower (left - a 15th-century perpendicular Gothic tower) and the Prichard Tower and Spire (right - a 19th-century Victorian addition that replaced a collapsed medieval tower).

Despite being nearly levelled by a German parachute mine in 1941, the cathedral was meticulously restored by George Pace, blending its medieval soul with modern resilience.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.49577, -3.21801 • what3words: ///spins.flips.cheek

Caerleon Roman Amphitheatre, Newport (By gasbag43)

The Caerleon Roman Amphitheatre is the most complete site of its kind in Britain, once serving as the entertainment hub for the legionary fortress of Isca Augusta. Built around AD 90, it was designed to accommodate the entire Second Augustan Legion for gladiatorial combat.

The structure is a massive elliptical earthwork - the entire structure measuring approximately 82 metres by 68 metres. The Arena Floor is roughly 56 by 42 metres, while the tiered wooden banks, which rested on the stone-walled shells seen in the image, rose high enough to seat 6,000 spectators.

The shot highlights the eight vaulted entrances. The two largest openings at the ends of the long axis were the main processional gates. The smaller side chambers, some of which still show stone steps, led to "boxes" reserved for high-ranking officers.

I’ve added as additional piece of media an AI mock up of the amphitheatre based on the photo and local archaeological exploration

It’s a CADW site, so the usual restrictions on TOAL inside the perimeter are in place

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.60782, -2.956799 • what3words: ///locate.motel.others

Southover Grange Gardens, Lewes (By grandad1950)

Home to Lewes Register Office, the beautiful Southover Grange is fine 16th-century manor house set within the picturesque Southover Grange gardens. Tucked away in a quiet area of Lewes town centre. A good spot to fly in the busy town centre but you will need to find local street parking

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.87056, 0.008437 • what3words: ///outs.aboard.straw

Stanley Turner Ground Lewes, Lewes (By grandad1950)

Sharing the same facilities Lewes Rugby Club and the cricket club sit by the river nestled under the South Downs just to the south of the town. Its a good place to fly if there are no matches on. Good views of the downs and the river

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.86431, -0.002551 • what3words: ///eggs.gent.cracks

Hickling Basin on the Grantham Canal, Rushcliffe (By bryand)

I have been trying to document the current state of the Grantham Canal as it wends its way across the Vale of Belvoir. The Canal is mostly owned by the Canal and Rivers Trust, who have an NT-like policy. However there are enough bridges over the canal to provide TOAL spots without upsetting anybody.
Hickling Basin, at the southernmost point on the Canal is now a tourist spot popular with dog walkers. Probably best seen at this time of year with no foliage to hide the landscape and before nesting season.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 52.85842, -0.975287 • what3words: ///factored.kebab.spooned

Pelsall Junction, North Common Canal, Walsall (By johnb78)

Pelsall Junction is a historic canal intersection in the West Midlands (grid reference SK018044) where the Cannock Extension Canal branches off the main line of the Wyrley and Essington Canal. Known for its Grade II listed footbridge (the "Red Iron"), the junction serves as a key, tranquil access point for boaters, walkers, and nature lovers exploring the Birmingham Canal Navigations
(description from wikipedia).

I have flown here a couple of times but you have to be mindful of the SSSi that is nearby, but also it is a popular spot for fishing.

Parking: there is no direct parking but there is a carpark at the Finger Post pub but I decided not to park there and parks on a public side street nearby and walked the short distance to the spot

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 52.63753, -1.972109 • what3words: ///decent.stored.bunny

(Ex) HMP Shepton Mallet, Mendip (By gasbag43)

HMP Shepton Mallet is a former prison in Shepton Mallet, Somerset. When it closed in 2013, it had been the United Kingdom's oldest operating prison, following the closure of HMP Lancaster Castle in 2011.

Recommended as a good place to fly if you ever wanted to drone over a prison location without breaching an FRZ as the architecture and layout remains authentic

Before closure, Shepton Mallet was a category C lifer prison holding 189 prisoners. The prison building is Grade II* listed, while the former gatehouse and perimeter walls are Grade II.

The prison was opened in 1625 and expanded in 1790. This included the installation of a treadwheel for those sentenced to hard labour. In 1843 the number of cells was increased by adding a second storey to each wing. In 1930 the number of inmates had fallen and the prison was closed.

Following the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, the prison was reopened as a military prison. It was initially used by the British Army and later by American forces who constructed a new execution block to hang condemned prisoners. Following the war the prison continued as a military "glasshouse" until it was returned to civilian use in 1966.

The prison was decommissioned in 2013 and now serves as a tourist attraction, with guided tours and other activities.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.19072, -2.542963 • what3words: ///pairings.handwriting.cunning

Bath Road Viaduct, Mendip (By gasbag43)

This aerial shot captures the Bath Road Viaduct, a graceful remnant of the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway (S&D) that once cut through the heart of Shepton Mallet. Bathed in the warm glow of a winter sunrise, the structure’s 27 arches remain a testament to Victorian engineering, even as the tracks they once carried have long since vanished.

Constructed in the 1870s, this stone-built giant was part of the "Evercreech New" extension, designed to connect the Midlands with the South Coast. For nearly a century, heavy steam locomotives thundered across these arches, hauling both passengers and the region's vital coal and stone.

The viaduct fell silent following the Beeching Cuts in 1966, which closed the S&D line. Today the structure bridges the gap between the town's industrial heritage—symbolised by the nearby Kilver Court and cider mills—and the rolling Mendip Hills.

For Trivia fans, the large complex seen just beyond the viaduct is Kilver Court. Originally built as a textile mill in the 1700s, it was famously transformed in the mid-20th century by the Showering family. This site is the birthplace of Babycham, the sparkling perry that some argue revolutionized post-war drinking habits in the UK

The viaduct now serves as a spectacular elevated walkway, preserved as a Grade II listed monument that offers a "birds-eye" perspective of Shepton's unique blend of rural charm and industrial grit

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.1893, -2.53332 • what3words: ///gardens.orbited.tribune


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