15 mesmerising aerial photographs which showcase the beauty of Britain

An eerily beautiful picture of a lighthouse in Wales has won the inaugural '400ft Britain' award for aerial photography.

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Llighthouse at Point of Ayr in North Wales
Llighthouse at Point of Ayr in North Wales
(Image credit: James Farley)

James Farley of Chester captured the image of the lighthouse at Point of Ayr in North Wales using a drone and camera, and was judged the best of over 1,200 pictures sent in by keen photographers across Britain.

The competition was run by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), who used it to publicise their rules regarding safe flying of drones around the UK. 400ft is the upper limit for a drone (or any other model plane or helicopter) to be flown safely.

The CAA also have a five-point safety code - the 'drone code' – for budding aerial photographers:

  • Don’t fly near airports
  • Remember to stay below 400ft (120m) and at least 150ft (50m) away from buildings and people
  • Observe your drone at all times
  • Never fly near aircraft
  • Enjoy responsibly

As well as the winning image at the top of this page, here are 14 more astonishing images which made the shortlist. You can enjoy all the images at www.400ftbritain.com. 

Chesterton Windmill, Warwickshire

Chesterton Windmill, Warwickshire by Mark Thomas
(Image credit: Mark Thomas)

South Wales by Gareth Davies

South Wales by Gareth Davies
(Image credit: Gareth Davies)

Rolling Hills, by James Patterson

Rolling Hills, by James Patterson
(Image credit: James Patterson)

River Forth, Scotland

River Forth, Scotland

Aerial shot of Snow covered Pine Trees near Appleby in Cumbria, by Paul Witterick
(Image credit: Paul Witterick, WittWooPhoto)

Morar, West Highlands by Bill Barclay

Morar, West Highlands by Bill Barclay
(Image credit: Bill Barclay)

Loch Shiel by James Farley

Loch Shiel by James Farley
(Image credit: Loch Shiel by James Farley)

Lake District by Thomas Henderson

Lake District by Thomas Henderson
(Image credit: Lake District by Thomas Henderson)

Grasmere Lake by Shane White

Grasmere Lake by Shane White
(Image credit: Grasmere Lake by Shane White)

Glen Coe, Scotland

Glen Coe, Scotland
(Image credit: Glen Coe, Scotland)

Erosion by Will Webb

Erosion by Will Webb
(Image credit: Erosion by Will Webb)

East Sussex by Steve Ashman

East Sussex by Steve Ashman
(Image credit: East Sussex by Steve Ashman)

Dorset by James Loveridge

Dorset by James Loveridge
(Image credit: Dorset by James Loveridge)

Derwent Water

Derwent Water
(Image credit: Derwent Water)
Toby Keel
Toby Keel

Toby Keel is Country Life's Digital Director, and has been running the website and social media channels since 2016. A former sports journalist, he writes about property, cars, lifestyle, travel, nature.