Carsington Water

Carsington Water is a large Severn Trent reservoir on the southern edge of the Peak District, ringed by a popular visitor centre, sailing club, cycle trail and gentle hills. The big sheet of water, the dam and the surrounding Derbyshire countryside give plenty of scope for sweeping shots. The important caveat is ownership: the reservoir and its shoreline are Severn Trent land, and the water company does not permit take-off or landing from its property without prior permission, so treat the site as caution and launch only from genuinely public land outside the operational area. It is also a busy leisure destination with sailors, anglers, cyclists and families, plus overwintering and breeding wildfowl, so keep well away from people, boats and birds. There is no airport flight restriction zone here, and no National Trust land at the water itself. The visitor centre and Sheepwash car parks are pay and display and fill on fine weekends. For the calmest water, fewest crowds and softest light, arrive early on a still morning, keep your drone well within line of sight over open ground, and avoid the sailing area entirely when boats are out.