The Kymin, Monmouth

The Kymin is a wooded hilltop just east of Monmouth crowned by two Georgian follies: a white circular banqueting Round House and the columned Naval Temple, with a panorama over the town, the Wye and Monnow valleys and the patchwork of the Welsh borders. It is a rewarding spot for pilots who like architecture and layered landscape in one frame, particularly in autumn when the surrounding woodland turns. The site is owned by the National Trust, which does not allow take-off or landing from its land, so the practical approach is to launch from the public lane or a nearby verge and keep the aircraft clear of the buildings and any visitors around the follies. It sits within the Wye Valley National Landscape and there is no flight restriction zone, though Monmouth town is close, so stay well away from built-up areas and roads. Trees crowd the summit, so gain height promptly and mind your line of sight through the canopy. Morning light works well looking west over Monmouth towards the Black Mountains. Keep flights short and considerate; this is a popular, compact viewpoint and low-flying near the historic structures is neither welcome nor safe.