Castles | DJ-AerialPhotography

Exploring Stunning Locations: Stories Through Photography

Welcome to the DJ Aerial Photography blog page, where we take you on a journey through the stunning locations we've captured from above. Each blog post highlights a different place, offering insights into its history, beauty, and significance. Whether it’s a historic landmark, a hidden gem, or a breathtaking landscape, we provide you with a unique perspective on the locations we explore. Join us as we uncover the stories behind each site and share the beauty of these remarkable places through our aerial photography.

From Pier to Pit – Exploring Coastal Icons and Moorland Heritage

The day started with grey skies and cautious optimism, but with a forecast for clearing conditions and low winds, I took the chance to head out. First stop: the coastal town of Saltburn, before winding inland across the North York Moors, uncovering a brilliant mix of coastal landmarks, castles, railways and mining remains along the way.

David James

Apr 236 min read

South of Scotch Corner (The Midlands Apparently) – A Grand Day Out in North Yorkshire

Today’s explore took me a little further south than usual—though whether you call it the Midlands or still Yorkshiredepends on which side of Scotch Corner you’re from! Either way, I headed down towards Ripon and the surrounding area, and what followed was an epic day of exploring. From soaring abbeys to towering castles, cathedrals, halls, and atmospheric ruins, it was the kind of trip that made every mile worth it.

David James

Apr 226 min read

From Rievaulx to Unexpected Finds – Exploring Around Helmsley & Thirsk

After yesterday’s explore around Leyburn and Wensleydale, and a bit of a mix-up where I mistakenly said I’d visited Rievaulx Abbey (when it was actually Jervaulx Abbey – easy mistake, right?), I thought it only fair to make it right. So today, I headed out towards Helmsley and Thirsk to put that right and squeeze in a few other locations along the way. What followed turned into one of those brilliantly varied days, full of grand landmarks and a couple of unexpected gems that

David James

Apr 177 min read

Wensleydale Wonders – Ruins, Relics and Rainy Day Wins

After days of sunshine and calm skies, today’s forecast wasn’t looking too promising—wind, rain, and not much hope for flying. But being the optimist I am, I packed up the gear and headed out anyway, and I’m glad I did. What started as a gloomy outlook turned into a rewarding day in Wensleydale, filled with just the kind of variety I love - castles, abbeys, and old mining sites all scattered across this rich, rolling landscape.

David James

Apr 164 min read

A Calm Morning Over the Toon – Aerial Views of Newcastle’s Landmarks

Although the day started with a blanket of overcast skies, the near total absence of wind made for ideal flying conditions - especially for a city shoot, where still air means a safer and steadier flight. With that in mind, I grabbed the chance to head into Newcastle, one of the North East’s most iconic cities, to capture some of its famous landmarks from above.

David James

Apr 155 min read

Castles, Coast & Clear Skies – A Calm Afternoon Between Two Historic Icons

The weather today was too good to ignore — clear blue skies, barely a breeze, and ideal conditions for flying. After a morning run, I headed

David James

Apr 66 min read

Bridges, Battlements & Borderland History: A Day Exploring Corbridge & Hexham

With a spell of fine weather, I decided it was time to venture somewhere a little different - Northumberland. It’s a region I haven’t spent

David James

Mar 268 min read

From Ruins to Rain in the Dales: A Challenging Afternoon in North Yorkshire

This afternoon was a bit of a mixed bag. With some unexpected free time and no firm plans, I took the opportunity to head down into North Yo

David James

Mar 227 min read

Spring Skies Over Bowes: A Drone Journey Through History and Nature

The early spring sun was shining brightly, offering the perfect opportunity to explore and capture some of the lesser-known yet fascinating

David James

Mar 97 min read

Making the Most of the Spring Sun – Exploring Bishop Auckland and Stanhope Burn

Today, the early spring sun was too good to waste, especially with rain expected tomorrow. With that in mind, I set off to two fantastic loc

David James

Mar 64 min read

From Steam Power to Sunset Magic – A Day of Unexpected Captures

Time was short today, and the wind made flying conditions tricky, but I still managed to capture some interesting locations. From a site of

David James

Feb 33 min read

Grey Skies and Hidden Gems – A Day of Exploration

The heavy clouds may have muted the colours today, but that didn’t stop me from getting out and capturing some fascinating locations.

David James

Jan 316 min read

Stormy Seas and Windy Heights: Capturing the Northeast’s Icons

The stormy weather yesterday put a halt to my aerial photography plans, but I didn’t let that stop me from heading to the coast in search of

David James

Jan 254 min read

Exploring Historic Gems Amidst Winter Winds

Despite challenging weather conditions, today’s adventure took me to some remarkable places steeped in history. From industrial relics to me

David James

Jan 74 min read

Making the Most of Limited Time: A Day of Castles, Quarries, and Bridges

From the grandeur of one of England’s finest castles to the echoes of industry in a historic quarry, and ending the day with two spectacular

David James

Dec 6, 20243 min read

Capturing Durham City from New Heights: A First Drone Adventure in the City Centre

Today was a fantastic mix of historic sights and fireworks, as I ventured into Durham City Centre with the drone for the first time. Durham’

David James

Nov 5, 20244 min read

Exploring Heritage and Coastal Views Across North Yorkshire and County Durham

Today’s weather was ideal - clear skies, low winds, and a soft autumn light that highlighted every detail. With winter drawing near, it felt

David James

Oct 29, 20244 min read

A Quick Trip with Big Results: Capturing History in Teesdale

Today was one of those days where time was tight, but I managed to squeeze in three locations that delivered some fantastic footage. Even th

David James

Oct 17, 20242 min read

Perfect Skies, Historic Treasures: Capturing Durham’s Landmarks from Above

This afternoon was one of those picture-perfect days: brilliant blue skies, no breeze, and ideal conditions for flying the drone....

David James

Oct 14, 20244 min read

Flying South: A Day of Aerial Exploration in Richmondshire

After heading north yesterday, today was all about flying south into the beautiful landscapes of Richmondshire . With blue skies, a light...

David James

Oct 11, 20244 min read