Here's Where You Can Fly Drones If You're A Tourist

A new website reveals over 100 popular locations.

As personal drones become increasingly popular, it's a smart idea to know where you can and can't fly them as you may be in danger of breaking privacy laws. 

Et voila - a website has been set up to give advice on which tourist hotspots allow drones.

Ticket-selling firm AttractionTix created the online service to offer guidance about whether unmanned aircraft can be flown at more than 100 popular tourist locations in the UK and across the world.

Drones are allowed at around a third of the places listed by CanIFlyMyDrone.com, such as the Eden Project, Cardiff Castle and Blenheim Palace.

 

Open Image Modal
Matt Rourke/AP

In London drone users are allowed to capture images around Hampstead Heath, but not two miles away at Primrose Hill.

The latter is a Royal Park, where all drones are banned because of fears over their impact on wildlife.

In October a man was reportedly fined £1,225 for flying a drone over Hyde Park, which is a controlled air space.

Other popular UK attractions where unmanned aircraft are prohibited include Stonehenge, Westminster Abbey and Alton Towers.

 

Simon Applebaum, managing director at AttractionTix, commented: "Many hobbyists and attractions across the world have used drones to capture truly stunning imagery and video, but wrongly interpreting the many guidelines and regulations can result in serious safety violations.

"The large majority of pilots are well intentioned, so we made CanIFlyMyDrone.com to give greater clarity and education around some of the world's biggest attractions."

UK-based drone users are advised to consult Civil Aviation Authority regulations and obtain permission from landowners before flying their devices.

Operators must be able to see the craft at all times and must not fly above 400ft (122m).

Drones fitted with cameras must not be flown within 50m (164ft) of people, vehicles or buildings, or over congested areas or large gatherings such as concerts and sports events.

Before You Go