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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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The South Coaster (By pross)

Ship wrecked in Dec 1943 easily accessible from pebble beach.

You do have to cross a live traintrack so remember to look both ways!

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Co-ordinates: 50.61459, -3.442264 • what3words: ///spite.squabbles.gripes

Wintour's Leap, Forest of Dean (By gasbag43)

Wintour's Leap is a noted rock climbing location and viewpoint located near the village of Woodcroft in Gloucestershire, on the English side of the Wye Valley, north of Chepstow.

Wintour's Leap is named after Royalist Sir John Wintour who, hotly pursued on his horse by Parliamentary forces, according to local myth survived a leap off the cliff and, landing safely in the Wye (100 metre drop…) below, swam to safety in the nearby Chepstow Castle. In fact, Wintour did escape from the Roundheads by using the river nearby on two separate occasions, but from less spectacular positions at Lancaut and Sedbury.

The area around Wintour's Leap is a very popular limestone rock climbing area. It contains over 300 recorded routes most of which are multi-pitch. It has a high proportion of quality climbs up to 100-meters in length.

The location is pretty spectacular (albeit better when the tidal river is higher!) with the cliffs to the left of the photo while to the right is the "lost village" of Lancaut. All that remains of this medieval village are the ruins of St James Church said to have been built by the Lord of Chepstow Castle around 1067.

Access is via the Offa's Dyke footpath. TOAL site is a 10 square foot of bare rock 10 feet off the footpath (you need to push through some bushes to access it) with a 100 metre sheer drop at its edge and no safety barrier.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.66297, -2.66367 • what3words: ///sheds.spike.months

Crowborough Leisure Centre, Wealden (By grandad1950)

Lots of parking and room to fly. After you have finished flying you could go for a jog .

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.06322, 0.166131 • what3words: ///inflation.behind.snowballs

Tretower Castle, Powys (By gasbag43)

Tretower Castle is a Grade I-listed ruined castle in the village of Tretower in the county of Powys, Wales. It was built around the beginning of the twelfth century as a motte and bailey castle, enlarged in the early thirteenth century, but later fell into ruin.

This monumental tower with four storeys and stone walls nine feet thick is roughly triangular in plan, with the motte and keep occupying the western corner. The 12th century shell-keep is an irregular enclosure with a gate-tower on the line of approach from the bailey. In the centre of the shell stands the tall cylindrical 13th century keep. The keep is of three storeys, with an original entrance at first floor level

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.88399, -3.185778 • what3words: ///reconnect.nickname.hush

Herstmonceux Castle Estate, Wealden (By Kirky)

Herstmonceux Castle Estate Sussex,
A lovely castle with lots of fields around & woodland,
Thought id head down here today but unbeknown there is renovation work on going with the castle so didn’t manage to capture the shots that I wanted, nonetheless I thought carry on, had done some research on the place itself before I headed down & would be more photogenic when the renovation is finished so I may head back, TOAL & park is very easy with just a couple of minutes walk, a few public & dog walkers in & around but a real easy place to fly, in all a real nice location.

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Co-ordinates: 50.86908, 0.33843 • what3words: ///polo.delusions.charm

High Cross Estate, Wealden (By Kirky)

High cross estate aka Hamilton palace half built derelict mansion some history below.

On the site of the former High Cross House, a former nursing home destroyed by a fire of unknown cause, van Hoogstraten began constructing a private mansion he called Hamilton Palace, at Palehouse Common near Uckfield in East Sussex in the mid-1980s. According to Emma Brockes of The Guardian in 2000, Hamilton Palace was named after the capital of Bermuda, where van Hoogstraten owns property.
Construction of the mansion began in 1985 and had cost around £40 million by 2006. The neoclassical palace features a copper dome. The enormous edifice is intended to house his private collection of art, currently stored in Switzerland, and includes a marble mausoleum he intends for himself. Under English law, perpetual trusts are only allowed in the upkeep of monuments and graves. By using the palace as a mausoleum, van Hoogstraten's trust would legally own the buildings and their fittings in perpetuity after his death. A large portion of his wealth has been transferred into a Bermudan trust for the upkeep of historic monuments. The structure of the mansion and ancillary buildings was largely in place, but van Hoogstraten fell out with architect Anthony Browne in 2000[21] and the site remained unfinished. Recent drone footage shows an abandoned building surrounded by scaffolding on which foliage is growing.

See this place a while back on the news so whilst in the area I thought I’d take a look, found a big grass verge next to a large gate & field off the road nearby,
Worth a look there’s also a few Ariel videos on YouTube.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.9471, 0.120785 • what3words: ///lunching.relax.position

Horsebridge Mill, Wealden (By Kirky)

Former Horsebridge flower Mill aka McDougall's Flour Mill.

Spotted this on the way to another location I was visiting, it’s down a dead end road where you can park at the bottom if driving, looked a good little bit of history so thought why not,
Easily accessible to the public & there is a path running through some woodland next to it,
Was quite quiet only see a couple of dog walkers who was very friendly & all smiles & said hello,
The thing you have to be carful of here when flying there’s lots of little twigs in around & hanging by the mill so you have to keep alert, it’s a great little place just a shame there’s not much room to move with the drone, well worth a visit old & rustic with great history.


View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 50.87971, 0.246272 • what3words: ///fishery.lighters.happen

Bo Peep Bostal, Wealden, Sussex (By Kirky)

Stumbled on this place on the way back home from flying a few locations in Sussex I just had to explore,

The hill at Bo Peep Bostal, East Sussex, is known as Bopeep Bostal Hill. It's a steep climb, considered a 4th-category climb, reaching an elevation of 168 meters. It's a popular route for cycling and hiking, offering views of the South Downs and the surrounding countryside.
absolute stunning landscape peaceful & tranquil with breath taking views,
I drove into a road called Bopeep Lane where I pulled in to an off rd parking lay-by on the right that looked out across the fields towards the hills, I had to be quick as id not much juice in my battery’s but didn’t want to not take the opportunity, wind was very strong which the drone kept giving me warnings the low battery kicked in return to home so I couldn’t get as much as I wanted too,
When I finished I took a drive upon the hills & the views are even more stunning, there was a few public about & dog walkers alike it is also sssi upon the hills but where I parked & TOAL’D it is not,
Stunning place well worth a visit would definitely go again if I was in the area.
Gorgeous !

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Co-ordinates: 50.83096, 0.123339 • what3words: ///disarmed.custard.winks

Newport riverfront and bridges, Newport (By AltitudeWales)

The Newport Riverfront is a solid spot for flying drones, with plenty of open space and a blend of urban and natural scenery. You’ll find a number of bridges nearby, which can make for some really good aerial shots. Just remember to follow local rules and be mindful of those around you while you’re out flying.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.58664, -2.991532 • what3words: ///pops.expert.grab

LLangorse lake, Powys (By gasbag43)

Llangorse Lake is the largest natural lake in Mid and South Wales, and is situated in the Brecon Beacons National Park.

It has a three-mile perimeter covering an area 340 acres and is one mile long.

The lake itself is worth a visit in its own right, but the surrounding countryside – fields with a dramatic mountain backdrop – is impressive.

Good location too for morning mist shots, but on the day I visited, it was so thick I couldn’t even see the lake so for this location shot(!), I came back later on in the day once it had cleared

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.93077, -3.265942 • what3words: ///fabricate.driven.chained


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