This is interesting.
It appears that the NT byelaws re: England, were passed through government in 1965. I believe that it’s powers can only prohibit the take-off & landing of drones from its land. Flying drones over the land is not authorised but as I wrote above is not in breach of NT byelaws.
The NT website section on drones refers specifically to the UK CAA Drone Code 2024 and its reference to byelaws. This is basically what forms the basis of the Flyer ID licence. The NT website states that an unauthorised person shall not operate an airborne vehicle or machine over National Trust property. I believe this last bit is misleading.
The byelaw states that “no unauthorised person shall (iii) Ride or drive any conveyance over or upon Trust Property otherwise than upon
roads, tracks and waterways authorised for the use of such conveyance”
A subclause refers conveyances to includes aircraft and in its context must refer to airspace.
The CAA allows a drone to be flown in airspace as per its Code.
droneschooluk.co.uk goes into more detail on this topic and is a simple read. I think it confirms what I have written above. The actual NT byelaw is easily accessible online.
So, if you have the licences, the insurance & fly by the CAA code, TOAL outside of NT boundaries, then, you are ‘good to go’.
CAVEAT - I am not a lawyer & urge you to rely on your own research. If anyone has a different viewpoint I am here to be ‘shot down in flames’
You see,that’s what I read and took it to mean you can’t fly over their property.It has been mentioned about airliners,helicopters etc but surely these would have exceptions in place and anyway,a couple of thousand feet is a bit different to a couple of hundred.This is all getting to be a bit too in depth now and I think it might be better to forget about the flight as has also been pointed out,you won’t be very welcome and is it worth the hassle?
No. Airliners do not have ‘exceptions in place’. The same law applies to them, as applies to drones in this respect.
Actually, the law treats them exactly the same, in this context.
I actually think it’s a really interesting thread and I’m glad to see the lively debate.
I do agree that life would be much easier to fly somewhere else, where an organisation hasn’t gone out of its way to ask you not to fly there though.
I don’t know why the NT doesn’t have a drone flying time. Say 8am until 9am. When drone enthusiasts can go and fill their boots. They get the revenue from a load of new users entering, parking, using the café - and people who might be offended by drones can simply avoid that timeslot.
That’s a brilliant suggestion Simon. A specific time for flyers would be a great pull I’m sure, as would an early breakfast in the cafe … although Glastonbury Tor is just a tower on a hill and it wouldn’t hurt to identify a specific time to fly there. I mean, it’s not like there’s ever going to be a swarm of loud drones darkening the sky!
The trouble with the NT is that they give the impression that “we’ve always done it this way” and are very protective. I appreciate some of they’re reasons but I get they impression they don’t like change.
I just thought that commercial flight corridors were probably there before the NT took over management of property,that’s where the exceptions would come from and that height would also make a difference.Thanks for clearing that up,it’s just my way of thinking and makes sense to me if not anyone else lol
I have enjoyed the interaction of all this and have learned lots from it so thanks everyone for that but I have decided not to bother flying there because I really don’t want to be arguing with some jobsworth in a green jacket.
I think the idea of drone time is a good one however and I wonder if NT would take that on board if it was suggested to them? The Tor itself as has been said is just a tower on a hill but it is an interesting feature on the landscape,I’ve never seen it that busy up there with it being mostly the “flower people” likely as not higher than the drones so probably wouldn’t notice anyway!
exactly that but isn’t that why the subclause was added? The wireless and telegraphy act was passed way before mobile phones for example.I have emailed the CAA for clarification from them so I can have in black and white from the people who write the rules so to speak to produce if needed.I wonder however if just satisfying a slight dissapointment is really worth the hassle,there are plenty of other places to fly where we wouldn’t be so unwelcome
I’m new to the group and thought I’m mention when at Tretower Court & Castle in Wales last month (managed by CADW) after paying to visit I asked if I could fly!
my DJI Mini 4 Pro to take some aerial shots. Probably because I’m almost 80 they concluded I was not likely to cause any problems and after showing them my Operator and Flyer ID they said I could providing I didn’t TAOL from their property. I found a safe spot nearby, took a lovely set of shots and provided them with the whole set to use as they wanted. This mutual scratching of backs enabled us to add to our (caravan) touring album with no hassle whatsoever and it’s a shame the NT can’t be equally accommodating to responsible flyers.
I have flown over Cliveden which is NT. I just launched from the public road outside their gate. As another reply said under UK law they don’t own the airspace.
I live in Wales and had the same problem with CADW after asking for permission. What I did is ignore their refusal and took off and landed from off their property and then sent them the images I took with my drone . I have been doing this for over 10 years . I have been challenged by CADW staff but have after explaining that I was not on their property they have gone away. And They have since changed their policy to comply with CAA rules .
I did check on the CADW website as I was also thinking about Tintern Abbey which is close to me.No problems in flying over as long as you don’t TOAL from their land or act like an idiot
You might want to visit before 8th April they will be erecting scaffolding from the date. You do get a 10% discount but I’m sure you’d prefer to film it before the scaffolding goes up?
All the details are here Tintern Abbey | Cadw
correct
