Drone Scene

Where can I fly my 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? Looking for great places to fly? Looking for £5m Public Liability Insurance cover? Well look no further!

Welcome to Drone Scene, the place to find great drone flying locations in the UK, view images and videos posted by other pilots and share your flying locations in order to help other UK hobbyists find great locations where they can fly safely too.

Click on a marker pin to view details of that location. You can also add comments and discuss the location in our forum.

×You must login to see 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!

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.

Where to fly your drone

Filter ()
White Nothe, Purbeck (By gasbag43)

White Nothe ("White Nose") is a chalk headland on the English Channel coast at the eastern end of Ringstead Bay, east of Weymouth in Dorset,

Its distinctive flanks are the result of prehistoric landslides and the inaccessible slopes of the undercliff provide a secluded wildlife habitat. Looking along the coast from the TOAL point towards Bat’s Head was clear evidence of a recent landlside

Walking to the base of White Nothe along the shore from Ringstead Bay is possible, but it is cut off at high tide, so much care should be taken. At the top of the Smugglers path to the top of the headland is a protruding nose shape coming out of the white cliff, giving the name to the area.

The area is partly owned by the National Trust and the nearest car park is theirs (Ringstead Bay) which is a 25 minute walk to the location.

From the top of White Nothe, to the east, the chalk headland of Bat's Head can be viewed along with just the top part of Durdle Door.

Situated at the top of White Nothe is a World War II pillbox, constructed in 1940–41 of brick and concrete, as part of the anti-invasion measures. Unusually, the structure is also fitted with a Royal Observer Corps observation post built on top, which was to spot and report aircraft. There is also a row of former coastguards' cottages.

Great views and a great place to fly and photograph, but very windy on the day I visited as the headland is exposed

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.6251, -2.323265 • what3words: ///polka.door.rally
St Aldhelm's chapel, Purbeck (By gasbag43)

St Aldhelm's Chapel is a Norman chapel on St Aldhelm's Head just beyond the village of Worth Matravers, Swanage, Dorset.

It stands close to the cliffs, 350 feet above sea level and is a Grade I listed building.

The square stone chapel stands within a low circular earthwork, which may be the remains of a pre-Conquest Christian enclosure.

The building has several architectural features which are unusual for a chapel, most noticeably from the outside its square shape.

That whole stretch of Dorset’s Jurassic coastline is great drone flying land/seascape, but borders the Portland and Lulworth airspace restriction zones so care needs to be exercised if these are in effect (both are normally just Mon-Fri but check before flying).

This location is NOT in either of these FRZ’s

Parking is 1.5 miles away so good walk-in is required to get to the TOAL point which is from a public footpath close to the chapel

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.57961, -2.056739 • what3words: ///roadblock.device.baseless
Cromford Mills, Matlock, Derbyshire Dales (By D0c.Col)

Cromford Mills — nestled in the Derwent Valley of Derbyshire is a peaceful and relatively quiet place today, but it was once the beating heart of an industrial revolution that helped change the world. It all began in 1771, when a man named Richard Arkwright built the world’s first water-powered cotton spinning mill right here in Crompton, which laid the foundation for his fortune. Using his revolutionary patented Water Frame, Arkwright pioneered a new system of production — one that brought together power, machinery, and labour under a single roof. This wasn’t just a mill — it was the blueprint for the modern factory, and Cromford became the prototype for industrial towns across the globe.

I parked in the museum itself which cost £1 for an hour at the time of my visit. TOAL was near the church on the site, but there are a number of places about to choose from.

There is a cafe and toilets on site and the place itself is free to access.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 53.10927, -1.555188 • what3words: ///trains.overlooks.jiggle
Carshalton ponds, Sutton (By grandad1950)

Interesting set of linked ponds fed by a natural spring right in the centre of Old Carshalton

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.36552, -0.163411 • what3words: ///punk.claims.looked
Hambledon Hill, North Dorset (By gasbag43)

Hambledon Hill is a prehistoric hill fort in Dorset, England, in the Blackmore Vale five miles northwest of Blandford Forum. The hill itself is a chalk outcrop, on the southwestern corner of Cranborne Chase, separated from the Dorset Downs by the River Stour. It is owned by the National Trust.

Its earliest occupation was in the Neolithic period when a pair of causewayed enclosures were dug at the top of the hill. They were linked by a bank and ditch running northwest–southeast. Two long barrows also stood within the complex.

Overall size is 1,350,000 sq ft with radiocarbon analysis showing the site dates back to circa 3000BC

TOAL was from the public footpaths that cross its summit. Parking was in a layby (4 car spaces) in the village below

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.91304, -2.222071 • what3words: ///pinch.automatic.mice
Swanage Pier (By gasbag43)

Swanage Pier is a Victorian pier which extends into the southern end of Swanage Bay in the south-east of Dorset. It was built in 1895 for passenger ship services.

An older pier, 750 feet long, opened 1860, was used by local quarries to ship stone, but it fell into decline with only its timber piles remaining today (the posts are much photographed, particularly for moody long exposure shots) and can clearly be seen in this aerial shot of the old and new piers.

The restored “new” pier was awarded Pier of the Year in 2012 and is a Grade II listed building.

Parking was free for an hour on the seafront next to the pier and TOAL was from the park opposite the entrance.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.60878, -1.950567 • what3words: ///dime.nags.hostels
Crawford Bridge, North Dorset (By gasbag43)

Crawford Bridge, so called because it carries the road from Spetisbury to Tarrant Crawford, is probably the best known of the many bridges that cross the River Stour.

it is a Grade 1 Listed building. It was built in the 15th century and widened in 1819, and has nine arches

Be wary of 2 low-strung cables crossing the river 10 metres from the bridge whose supporting poles are hidden in the trees which line the river banks

It’s a picturesque setting I’ve shot several times before from the ground – best timed for early morning misty conditions.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.81754, -2.116327 • what3words: ///pines.alpha.activates
Crawford Castle / Spetisbury Rings, North Dorset (By gasbag43)

The Spetisbury Rings (aka Crawford Castle) are Iron Age fortifications, the third in a series of Iron Age earthworks after Hambledon Hill and Hod Hill, before Buzbury Rings, Badbury Rings, and Dudsbury Camp.

In the 1850s, during the construction of the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway, two mass graves were found that contained over 80 skeletons leading to speculation that the site includes an Iton Age war cemetery similar to the one found at Maiden Castle with the dead arising from a large scale Roman attack.

The hillfort is a scheduled monument and being overgrown, is best viewed from the air

Easily accessible via a footpath up from the village below

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.8169, -2.122035 • what3words: ///orbited.newsprint.suspends
Willy Howe, East Riding of Yorkshire (By MickeyMoo)

Willie Howe (or Willy Howe), is a massive Neolithic round mound or barrow that stands on the northern edge of a small low spur of land that juts out into the Great Wolds Valley just 200 metres from the Gypsey Race, an intermittent or 'winterbourne' stream that threads its way eastwards through the valley before reaching the sea at Bridlington.

Please be aware there is a model aircraft flying club adjacent to this site. There maybe others flying at the same time you arrive. Be respectful and communicate with others so you have a clear understanding.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 54.13602, -0.376641 • what3words: ///happen.muted.stems
Colmer's Hill, West Dorset (By gasbag43)

Colmer’s Hil overlooks the village of Symondsbury, west of Bridport. It’s the main landmark in the area, is clearly visible from some distance away, and therefore a good location to gain fine drone’s eye views of the beautiful countryside which surrounds it.

The hill itself is a worthy subject as a location with a distinctive conical shape topped with pine trees planted there during WW1.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.7399, -2.794626 • what3words: ///sponge.magnitude.professes

Show All Locations

Service provided by