English Heritage


Flying Here Is Allowed

  See our National Trust and Natural England sections to learn about flying over their properties.

You can fly small drones and model aircraft that are lighter than 250g at residential, recreational, commercial and industrial sites. Many people won't realise that you are legally allowed to fly over and/or film such sites as demonstrated in these videos.

According to English Heritage, you cannot fly a drone over English Heritage land without specific permissions being granted, the pilot agreeing to a set of stringent rules, regulations, policies and digging deep in your pockets!

All About Money?

Before we go any further, this one line from the English Heritage website speaks volumes. The ban on drone activity appears to be profit related as their site explains '...all projects for commercial and personal filming use, drone flying will be treated as a commercial hire and fees will apply as appropriate'.

English Heritage ask that drone pilots provide the following:

  • A current and valid GVC (General Visual Line of Sight Certificate) from the CAA for commercial work.
  • Evidence of valid drone and public liability insurance.
  • A risk assessment for the proposed drone flight.
  • A flight plan for the proposed drone flight.
  • A technical specification for the make / model of drone to be used.

For most - this criteria will ensure that there is no chance of flying at English Heritage at all. That is of course, not from their land!


English Heritage also claim that 'all drone operators and fliers must also provide details of their Drone Registration Identification numbers, as per new government guidance introduced in November 2019 '. This is incorrect! This information does not have to be provided to anyone other than the police and only if you are suspected of committing an offence.

Take It Outside

The above regulations and requirements are their policies and therefore are only applicable if you are operating on their property. Flying from just outside the boundary of English Heritage land is totally acceptable, so long as you’re abiding by standard drone regulations. It’s important to be aware of the boundary regulations and ensure that your takeoff point is fully outside their land. This could be on public land or even roadsides next to the property.

Make sure you know the boundaries and make sure your launch spot is away from their property, whether that's public land or just some roadside space nearby but in a space that allows you to see the drone throughout the flight.

CAA (and international) law prohibits land owners from owning the airspace above their land so you are free to fly providing there is no Airspace Restriction covering the site. Apps like Drone Assist will confirm this for you and help you make the right decision as to whether or not it's safe to fly.

Don't fly over visitors to the English Heritage site, respect the privacy of those exploring the location and make sure that under no circumstances you disturb or interfere with wildlife on site.

Have a backup plan for those emergency landings, even if it means landing your drone inside English Heritage's land.

Above all, just be a responsible and considerate pilot. Some people visiting those English Heritage sites might not be too keen on drones being overhead. Your drone fun depends on showing respect for others and Mother Nature.

Airspace Misconception

Contrary to popular belief, English Heritage doesn't have the authority to assert ownership over the airspace above their historic properties. The regulations governing airspace ownership in the UK are under the purview of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and adhere to international laws. Consequently, English Heritage does not have the ability to regulate or restrict the use of airspace over its properties .