Drone Scene
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 37,200 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 Firle, Lewes (By grandad1950)

Nestled in the South Downs and dating from the 12th century is St Peters Parish Church in Firle East Sussex. It is a grade 1 listed building.
Firle Place, just next to the church is worth a visit

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.84498, 0.088493 • what3words: ///agency.prone.deriving
Semaphore Tower, Chatley Heath, Elmbridge (By Venners07)

Situated in a nature reserve so stick to footpaths and I would suggest be aware of any nesting birds or wildlife. It is a an amazing location though.

Built in 1822, the Semaphore Tower is a unique survival. Commissioned in the aftermath of the Battle of Waterloo, it was once a cutting-edge building at the forefront of technology and is now a remarkable retreat in the heart of a peaceful nature reserve.

The only remaining semaphore tower in Britain

A unique remnant from the Napoleonic era, this Grade II* listed brick structure is the only surviving semaphore tower in Britain. It was once a building at the forefront of technology and design, a vital link in a signalling chain that transmitted messages from Admiralty House in London to Portsmouth Docks in just a few minutes.

The semaphore machinery has been refurbished, providing a living lesson in technological and engineering history.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.31523, -0.438166 • what3words: ///both.exams.party
St Andrew’s Church, Monmouthshire (By gasbag43)

St Andrew’s is a quintessential Welsh border church, primarily dating to the 14th and 15th centuries, though it occupies a much older sacred site. Its most famous historical treasure is a Roman funerary monument—the Julian Gaudentius stone—discovered beneath the floor, dedicated to a soldier of the Second Augustan Legion based at nearby Caerleon.

The Julian Gaudentius stone is one of the most significant Roman artifacts found in a Welsh parish church. Discovered in the late 18th century, it is a Di Manibus (dedicated to the spirits of the dead) funerary monument. The stone's presence suggests that the site of St Andrew’s may have been a Roman villa or a roadside burial ground long before the first Christian timber or stone church was erected.

Roman law forbade burials within the walls of a fortress, so soldiers were often buried along the roads leading out of Caerleon.

The architectural character of the church is defined by its sturdy, defensive-looking western tower and a traditional nave and chancel.

The image highlights the church’s secluded position within the rolling Monmouthshire landscape. The sprawling graveyard, dotted with weathered headstones, underscores its role as a focal point for the community over the centuries.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.64906, -2.897732 • what3words: ///divider.lengthen.assets
St Michaels Plumpton, Lewes (By grandad1950)

St Michaels grade 1 listed parish church is quite unusual as it is located in the middle of Plumpton Agricultural College in East Sussex. When I went the fields around the church had lamas and sheep in them. The church dates from the 11th Century

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.90506, -0.071677 • what3words: ///skater.fracture.baroness
Llandegfedd Reservoir, Torfaen (By gasbag43)

Inaugurated in 1965 by Cardiff Corporation Waterworks, Llandegfedd Reservoir was constructed to meet the burgeoning industrial and domestic water demands of Southeast Wales. Spanning 434 acres on the border of Monmouthshire and Torfaen, it was created by damming the Sor Brook, though its primary water source is pumped directly from the River Usk.

The two images i've posted capture the reservoir’s dual identity as a feat of civil engineering and a premier site for recreation -

• The Panorama: This wide shot highlights the massive earth-fill embankment dam and the surrounding 400 acres of SSSI-designated land (Site of Special Scientific Interest), emphasising its role as a vital habitat for overwintering wildfowl.

• The Intake Tower: The top-down perspective showcases the iconic concrete valve tower and access bridge. This structure is the "heart" of the operations, regulating water flow before it is pumped to the Sluvad Treatment Works.

Today, managed by Welsh Water, the site has evolved from a strict utility into a hub for sailing, fishing, and conservation, balancing the region's thirst with a commitment to ecological preservation.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.6861, -2.97502 • what3words: ///fallback.perfect.silks
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

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