Drone Rules on the Pembrokeshire Coast

Overview — Britain's Only Coastal National Park

The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park in south-west Wales holds a unique distinction: it is the only National Park in the United Kingdom that is primarily coastal. Established in 1952, the park stretches along 260 kilometres of coastline, encompassing dramatic cliffs, secluded beaches, offshore islands, and the famous Pembrokeshire Coast Path.

For drone pilots, this landscape presents extraordinary photographic opportunities alongside equally significant responsibilities. The park is managed by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority (PCNPA), and while there is no blanket ban on drone use within the park, several areas demand particular caution. The MOD's Castlemartin Range occupies a large section of the southern coast with active firing exercises. Skomer and Skokholm islands host some of the largest seabird colonies in northern Europe. And Haverfordwest Aerodrome introduces controlled airspace considerations in the northern section of the park.

Can You Fly a Drone on the Pembrokeshire Coast?

Yes, drone flights are permitted within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, subject to UK-wide CAA regulations and any additional restrictions imposed by the PCNPA or individual landowners.

Standard registration requirements apply. Drones weighing 250 g or more require a CAA Flyer ID. Any drone fitted with a camera, regardless of weight, must display an Operator ID. Both are obtained through the CAA's registration portal.

Specific factors that affect flying in this National Park include:

• The MOD Castlemartin Range — a Danger Area (D113) with strict access restrictions during live firing exercises
• Skomer and Skokholm island wildlife reserves managed by the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales
• Haverfordwest Aerodrome FRZ in the north of the park
• National Trust properties along the coastline, which have their own drone policies
• The PCNPA's own guidance on responsible drone use within the park

Key Rules for Flying on the Pembrokeshire Coast

General CAA Rules (Open Category)

• Maximum altitude of 120 metres (400 feet) above ground level
• Maintain visual line of sight (VLOS) with your drone at all times
• Keep at least 150 metres from residential, recreational, commercial, and industrial areas (subcategory A3 drones without C-class marking)
• Minimum 50 metres from uninvolved persons (varies by subcategory and drone class)
• Never fly within 150 metres of an organised open-air assembly exceeding 1,000 people
• Give way to all crewed aircraft at all times

National Park Authority Guidance

The PCNPA encourages responsible drone use and asks pilots to consider the impact of their flights on wildlife, other visitors, and the tranquillity of the coastline. While National Park designation does not itself impose a legal prohibition on drones, the Authority may restrict flights on land it manages directly, and individual landowners within the park can set their own policies.

In practice, the PCNPA advises against flying near cliff-nesting bird colonies, over busy beaches during peak season, and in the vicinity of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path where walkers may be disturbed.

MOD Castlemartin Range

The Castlemartin Range occupies a significant stretch of the south Pembrokeshire coast between Linney Head and St Govan's Head. When the range is active, it is designated as Danger Area D113 and is strictly off-limits to all aircraft, including drones. Red flags are flown when live firing is in progress.

Firing schedules are published in advance by the MOD and are available through the range's information line. Even when the range is not active, access to certain areas may be restricted. Always verify the current status before planning flights in the southern part of the park.

Skomer and Skokholm Islands

Skomer and Skokholm islands, managed by the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales, are home to one of the largest Atlantic puffin colonies in southern Britain, along with Manx shearwaters, razorbills, and guillemots. Drone flights on or near these islands are not permitted by the Wildlife Trust.

Many of these species are protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Disturbing them at or near their nesting sites is a criminal offence. Even flying in the waters around the islands risks flushing seabirds from the cliffs. The breeding season runs from April through to August, but the Wildlife Trust's drone restriction applies year-round.

Flight Restriction Zone — Haverfordwest Aerodrome

Haverfordwest Aerodrome (EGFE) is located on the northern edge of the National Park. It has a designated FRZ that restricts drone flights within its boundaries. If your planned flight falls within the Haverfordwest FRZ, you must contact the aerodrome to request permission before flying.

Use the NATS Drone Assist app or the CAA's online FRZ map to check whether your intended flying location falls within this zone. The FRZ extends around the aerodrome and its approach paths, which may affect areas along the northern coastline of the park.

Best Practices for Flying on the Pembrokeshire Coast

• Check MOD firing schedules before visiting the southern coast. The Castlemartin Range publishes times in advance, and flying in or near an active Danger Area is both dangerous and illegal.
• Do not fly near Skomer or Skokholm. The Wildlife Trust prohibits drones, and disturbing protected seabirds carries criminal penalties.
• Verify the Haverfordwest FRZ using the NATS Drone Assist app if you are flying in the northern part of the park.
• Obtain landowner permission. The coastline includes National Trust land, PCNPA-managed land, and private farmland. Confirm permissions before taking off.
• Avoid cliff-nesting birds. Even outside the main breeding season, razorbills, guillemots, and fulmars use coastal cliffs. Keep a wide buffer from cliff faces.
• Respect the Coast Path. The Pembrokeshire Coast Path is one of the most popular long-distance walking routes in the UK. Avoid hovering above or near walkers.
• Monitor weather carefully. Exposed coastal locations are subject to sudden wind changes and sea fog. Atlantic conditions can deteriorate rapidly.

Penalties for Breaking Drone Laws

• Flying without CAA registration: fines up to £1,000
• Breaching an FRZ or Danger Area: fines up to £2,500, or prosecution leading to an unlimited fine and up to five years' imprisonment
• Disturbing Schedule 1 protected wildlife: criminal offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, fines up to £5,000 per offence and potential imprisonment
• Reckless or dangerous flying: unlimited fine and/or imprisonment
• Entering active MOD ranges: prosecution under military bylaws in addition to aviation offences

Summary

The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park offers breathtaking aerial perspectives, from the towering sea stacks of Stack Rocks to the turquoise waters of Barafundle Bay. Flying here is permitted, but requires thorough preparation. Check the Castlemartin firing schedule, verify FRZ boundaries around Haverfordwest, avoid the protected islands of Skomer and Skokholm entirely, and secure landowner consent before every flight. With careful planning, you can capture remarkable footage while protecting the wildlife and landscape that make this coastline so extraordinary.