The Roaches

The Roaches is a dramatic gritstone edge on the south-west shoulder of the Peak District, rising above Tittesworth Reservoir and the Staffordshire moors. The skyline of weathered rock, heather and the hidden pool of Doxey Pool makes for striking footage, with Hen Cloud and Ramshaw Rocks close by. The land is managed by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and sits inside the Peak District National Park, which asks drone flyers to follow its voluntary code: avoid livestock, ground-nesting birds and busy honeypot spots. This is not National Trust ground, so responsible take-off and landing from the roadside verges or open access land is realistic, but it is popular with climbers and walkers, so pick a quiet slot. Peregrines and other raptors use the crags in spring and summer, so keep well clear of the cliff faces during nesting. There is no airport restriction zone here. Parking is in the lay-bys along the single-track Roaches road below Rockhall, which fill early at weekends. Fly early on a clear, low-wind morning for the best light along the edge and the fewest people on the ridge.