A Day of Challenges and Discoveries: Capturing Burn Hall and Croxdale Hall Chapel

This morning was all about doing the "proper" work that keeps the lights on—but with the rain coming down, I didn’t feel like I was missing out on any photography opportunities. Thankfully, the skies cleared up by the afternoon, and I grabbed my drone and camera, ready to capture some new and interesting places through aerial photography.

The day started off on a bit of a rough note. My first location didn’t go as planned—I politely asked if I could take some photos, but things took a turn. It’s not often that you face outright aggression when asking for permission, but this was one of those rare and uncomfortable encounters. Needless to say, I didn’t hang around long!

The second stop was a bit more pleasant, although they also declined my request for photos. However, the person was incredibly polite and even took the time to have a chat. Not every outing goes as planned, but you meet some interesting people along the way.

Once I got past those hiccups, the day turned around with two successful visits. Although time was running short, the locations I captured were well worth the effort.

Burn Hall, Durham

My first success was at Burn Hall, a grand estate located near Durham. Burn Hall is a Georgian-style mansion with a rich history, currently listed on the market for an eye-watering £2.5 million. The house is an architectural beauty, surrounded by expansive gardens that give it an air of luxury and seclusion. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get up close for ground-level photography, but I sent the drone up to capture aerial footage and photos of the estate.

The aerial shots gave me a stunning bird's-eye view of the hall and its surrounding grounds. The symmetry of the architecture and the landscaped gardens came out beautifully in the footage. I was able to showcase the scale and grandeur of Burn Hall from the sky, capturing its timeless charm. I’m eager to see how the drone footage turns out once I get to the editing stage—it should be a real standout, especially for anyone interested in capturing historical architecture through aerial photography.

Croxdale Hall Chapel

Next on the list was Croxdale Hall Chapel, a charming and historic chapel nestled within the grounds of Croxdale Hall, just a few miles outside of Durham. The chapel itself dates back centuries and has long been associated with the Salvin family, who owned Croxdale Hall for generations. What makes the chapel particularly special is its intimate size and Gothic-inspired design, giving it an almost fairy-tale quality.

Thankfully, the owners were incredibly welcoming and allowed me to capture both aerial drone footage and ground-level photos of the chapel. The structure looked beautiful against the backdrop of the surrounding greenery, and the drone shots really highlighted its architectural details. I was able to get a full 360-degree aerial view of the chapel and surrounding estate, showing off its stunning features. The day’s light was perfect for capturing the chapel from the air, and I’m thrilled with the footage I managed to get.

The history of Croxdale Hall and its chapel makes it a fascinating subject for photography. The chapel has seen centuries of history, and capturing it from above with aerial photography adds an entirely new dimension to its story. It’s one of those places where every angle tells a story, and I’m really looking forward to piecing it all together in the editing room.

Refining the Videos and Looking Ahead

As I wrap up the day, it's back to the editing room to fine-tune all the footage. Recently, I’ve been working on improving my video editing skills and adding new elements to give my aerial footage even more impact. By enhancing the transitions, including more dynamic angles, and showcasing both drone and camera shots, I hope to create a visual journey that brings these historic sites to life.

Days like this remind me why I love aerial photography so much. There's something special about capturing the scale and beauty of these locations from the sky—whether it's a grand estate like Burn Hall or a hidden gem like Croxdale Hall Chapel. Even though the day had its ups and downs, I left feeling inspired by the places I visited.

Stay tuned for the finished videos and photos. I’m confident the aerial footage from Burn Hall and Croxdale Hall Chapel will make a fantastic addition to my growing portfolio of historic sites in the Northeast.