Drone Scene
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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 38,300 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.

You must be logged in to see NOTAMs, Airspace Restrictions, National Trust boundaries and other interactive map layers.

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!

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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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Dumpdon Hillfort, East Devon (By gasbag43)

High above the Otter Valley in Devon, Dumpdon Hill Fort represents a classic example of Iron Age defensive architecture, set within an area of outstanding natural beauty. The site is a multivallate fort, meaning it is protected by multiple lines of earthworks, which are vividly preserved and visible in these shots.

Dating primarily from the Iron Age (c. 800 BC – AD 43), Dumpdon was likely a centre for local tribal power. Its strategic location on a prominent spur provided a 360-degree view of the surrounding landscape, allowing inhabitants to monitor movement through the valley below. While many such forts were abandoned after the Roman conquest, Dumpdon remains a powerful testament to the engineering skills of pre-Roman Britain.

The double bank and ditch system is exceptionally clear. These ramparts were originally much steeper and likely topped with wooden palisades, creating a formidable vertical barrier for any attacker.

The scene is topped off nicely is the stunning carpet of bluebells all over the banks that surround the site.

Now owned by the National Trust, the fort is a site of both archaeological importance and ecological preservation.

A convenient (but easily missed) car park is in a small layby next to the location on Dumpdon Lane.

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Co-ordinates: 50.83041, -3.171505 • what3words: ///grace.rivers.dimes
St Georges Donnington, Chichester (By grandad1950)

A fine grade 1 listed parish church of St Georges in the West Sussex rural village of Donnington. The church dates from the early 13th century.

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Co-ordinates: 50.81319, -0.791478 • what3words: ///skins.grid.lions
Plas Newydd House and Gardens, Isle of Anglesey (By D0c.Col)

Plas Newydd, Anglesey, sits on the edge of the Menai Strait, looking out across to Snowdonia. But what we see today is only one version of the house.

The full story of Plas Newydd, from its origins as a 15th-century hall house, through its transformation into a grand country residence, and the many changes that followed is quite interesting.

Inside, the house reveals a layered history — from the military legacy of Henry Paget, 1st Marquess of Anglesey, who lost his leg at the Battle of Waterloo, to the theatrical world of the 5th Marquess, who turned part of the house into a private performance space.

Outside, the estate tells a different story. The landscape, shaped by designers like Humphry Repton, was carefully planned to appear natural, with views across the Menai Strait forming a key part of the design.

Over time, Plas Newydd has adapted repeatedly — from private residence to naval training site, and now as a National Trust property open to the public.

As all NT properties there is a cafe and toilets on site and you don't have to pay to use them!

I TOAL in two different locations, first one was with my Air 3S to use its 3 x zoom, just outside the entrance by the roadside (be careful as the entrance is on a long straight stretch of road and although the traffic isn't busy, when they do pass it's often well in excess of the speed limit!! The second was with my mini 4 Pro from the Conway Centre outward bound place not far from the house along the shoreline. The guy there said they weren't part of the NT but all that seperated them from the estate was a low chain slung across the pathway. An arthritic dwarf could easily step over so I went back next day early and .............

The estate is vast so if you want to explore give yourself at least 4 hours.

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Co-ordinates: 53.20258, -4.216055 • what3words: ///language.ratty.shark
Lougher Castle, overlooking Lougher Estuary, Swansea (By kdavies33)

A 12th Century earthworks castle, burnt by the Welsh in 1151. It was replaced in the next century with a stone fortress, a single tower of which survives. The ruins are those of a castle that commanded what was once a low-tide fording point across the Lougher Estuary. There is ample parking at Lougher bridge and the castle is a short walk up the hill.

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Co-ordinates: 51.66174, -4.077086 • what3words: ///delight.shame.expect
Merston, Chichester (By grandad1950)

A grade 1 listed ancient parish church in the West Sussex hamlet of Merston

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Co-ordinates: 50.81622, -0.732745 • what3words: ///footballers.herb.feuds
Park Circus, Ayr South Harbour and Town Centre (By JoeC)

Just an average street in Ayr... except for a couple of weeks during Spring when, if you time it right, the cherry blossom is phenomenal.

I haven't added parking markers because the street (and those nearby) has ample. Likewise, TOAL spots are plentiful - pick a spot on the pavement.

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Co-ordinates: 55.45699, -4.633129 • what3words: ///ranges.takes.thanks
Peter's Stone, Derbyshire Dales (By Earwig)

A stunning limestone outcrop in a steep valley makes this location both picturesque, and interesting for FPV.
There is a small amount of roadside parking along Mires Lane and a relatively strenuous half-mile walk to the location along public footpaths.

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Co-ordinates: 53.27402, -1.740839 • what3words: ///loved.position.remaking
Solsbury Hill hillfort, Bath and North East Somerset (By gasbag43)

Dominating the skyline northeast of Bath, Little Solsbury Hill (known more commonly as simply "Solsbury Hill") is one of the most recognisable landmarks in the West Country. This flat-topped 20+ acre "table mountain" served as an Iron Age hill fort, occupied between 300 BC and 100 BC. Unlike the sprawling ramparts of Hinton Hill (AKA Dyrham Camp), Solsbury Hill is characterised by its distinct, triangular plateau, which was once enclosed by a substantial stone-built wall rather than simple earth banks.

The aerial views capture the preserved univallate (single-circuit) defences. You can see the perimeter path following the line where the ancient walls once stood. Excavations suggest the fort was violently destroyed—possibly during tribal warfare—as evidenced by charred timber and collapsed stonework.

Beyond its martial history, the hill was a site of intense agricultural activity; the surrounding slopes still bear the faint traces of Celtic field systems, visible in the textures of the land.

While the hill’s ancient history is profound, it gained global fame through Peter Gabriel’s 1977 debut solo single, "Solsbury Hill" which is located just 4 miles away from his home in nearby Box. After leaving Genesis, Gabriel spent time on this summit, experiencing a spiritual epiphany about his career. The line "Eagle out of the night / He was blowing at mind / Over watch, the light / Wind was blowing time" directly references the expansive, wind-swept vistas seen here where the city of Bath and the Avon Valley stretch out toward the horizon.

Today, managed by the National Trust, the hill remains a site of pilgrimage for both history buffs and music fans, standing as a quiet, grassy sentinel over the modern world.

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Co-ordinates: 51.41019, -2.334237 • what3words: ///wiping.spicy.finger
St Margarets Eartham, Chichester (By grandad1950)

St Margarets parish church in Eartham West Sussex dates from around 1100 and is a grade 1

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Co-ordinates: 50.87614, -0.667245 • what3words: ///flat.fingertip.tactical
Blackpool Central Pier, Blackpool (By WorldInFocus)

Blackpool Central Pier sits roughly midway along Blackpool’s famous promenade and extends straight out into the Irish Sea. Visually, it offers strong leading lines, Victorian structural symmetry, and a classic backdrop including Blackpool Tower and the seafront skyline. From an aerial perspective, it’s one of the most recognisable seaside structures in the UK.

Blackpool Central Pier lies just outside the Blackpool Airport Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ). Great care should be taken not to enter the FRZ. Flying north of the pier is guaranteed to stay out of the FRZ.

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Co-ordinates: 53.81071, -3.056731 • what3words: ///listed.gifted.traded

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