Bewl Water

Bewl Water is the largest area of open water in the South East, a sprawling reservoir on the Kent and East Sussex border ringed by wooded hills and quiet farmland. Its long, branching shoreline, wooded inlets and boats on the water make for attractive aerial footage, and the surrounding High Weald countryside is genuinely photogenic. This is not open-access common land, though: the reservoir and its shore are owned by Southern Water and managed as an outdoor activity centre, with sailing, fishing and a popular perimeter trail. Drone flying is not an advertised activity, so you should contact the estate for permission before flying from their land, avoid the busy visitor hub and watersports areas, and keep well clear of people and boats. In winter the reservoir is important for wildfowl and part of it is watched by birders, so avoid disturbing roosting birds. Parking is at the main visitor centre near Lamberhurst, where a day charge usually applies. On airspace, Bewl sits well away from any airport flight restriction zone, with Gatwick more than forty kilometres off. A still, clear morning gives mirror-like reflections on the water and the calmest conditions for flying over the reservoir.