Flamborough Head

The great chalk headland of the Yorkshire coast, where white cliffs, two lighthouses and pounding sea make one of the most cinematic spots in the region. The practical launch is the open grass by the car park near the modern lighthouse, plenty of clear space to take off and gain height over the point. From the air the chalk stacks, arches and the foghorn station make superb subjects, with the old octagonal chalk tower inland. The crucial caveat is birds: Flamborough and neighbouring Bempton Cliffs form one of the UK's largest seabird colonies, an SPA and SSSI heaving with gannets, guillemots and puffins from spring to midsummer. Do not fly along or over the nesting cliffs in season, disturbing Schedule 1 and colony birds risks a criminal offence, and stay well north of Bempton entirely. Fly seaward of the point and over the lighthouse rather than the bird ledges. No FRZ, nearest airport Humberside roughly 40km southwest. It is exposed and often windy on the head, so pick a calm day. Autumn and winter, once the colonies have dispersed, are the considerate time for cliff work.