Coney's Castle
SITE TYPE | Hill | LOCATION | 50.7766 / -2.8924 | |
SITE ACCESS | MEMBERS ONLY | GRID REF. | SY371978 | |
PILOT RATING | CP | TAKE OFF | ||
WIND DIRECTION | ENE - E | PARKING | ||
BEST | E | HEIGHT | 720 feet (220m) | |
XC POTENTIAL | LIMITED | TOP - BOTTOM | 395 feet (121m) |
Site Rules
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Condors members only
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No lone flying
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Phone owner to confirm flying is permitted and confirm bottom landing options:-
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Mrs Parsons
01297 678330
0797 055 4708
Hazards​
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Trees and scrub on slope
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High Tension power lines at North end of ridge
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Rotor from trees and bushes
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Spine backed ridge - do not go over the back low
About​
Coney’s Castle is a rarely flown hill site between Axminster and Bridport.
It was once used as a training site however the presence of trees, scrub and other hazards on the hill has seen the sites use decline and it is now rarely visited.
The site can become thermic however, being only 3 miles from the coast, sea breeze will often kill all thermic activity and swing the wind into the South early in the day.
Access & Parking​
From the West:-
Leave Axminster on the A35 towards Lyme Regis. Turn left onto the B3165 signposted Crewkerne opposite The Hunters Lodge Inn.
After 3 miles turn right, signposted Fishpond, and follow the signs to Coney's Castle.
As you approach the top of the hill, the road passes under electricity pylons. The entrance to the take off field is the next gate on the left:-
https://what3words.com/hotels.consoles.salsa
Do not park on the road or in the gateway but drive a further 400 yards and park in the National Trust car park and walk back:-
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Please don't climb the gate. If locked with a combination padlock try the code 1297.
Guidlines
YOU MUST PHONE GUMMERSHAYE FARM BEFORE FLYING.
If there are any livestock in the field, you may not be given permission to fly and it would therefore be best to confirm with Mrs parsons before travelling:-
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01297 678330
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0797 055 4708
In order that any emergency does not become the responsibility of the owners, Mrs Parsons has insisted that no pilot is to fly alone.
Trees, scrub and bushes are all over the site. Be cautious of rotor being generated by the trees at the bottom of the slope if scratching low or landing.
Avoid fields containing crops and livestock.
There is a set of High Tension power lines running across the Northern boundary of the site.
The site is not recommended for HGs with tight bottom landings and no option to top land.
Bottom Landing
Confirm options for bottom landing fields with the farm before flying.
Most of the lower fields are small and slope away into the valley. There are numerous obstacles and power lines to avoid.
Slope landing is possible, but not recommended, as the scrub is hiding holes and burrows that can twist ankles or worse.
To retrieve pilots drive towards Fishpond Bottom and immediately turn right into a narrow lane leading down the hill and then take first left to Gummershaye Farm.
Top Landing
It is possible to top land the take off field but be cautious of the hedge, fence and road at the rear.
The hill is spine backed. If trying to top land in higher wind speeds ensure you have sufficient penetration within the venturi.
XC Potential
Occasional short XCs have been made but the site is usually affected by sea breeze early on thermic days.
Airspace
Exeter ATZ is approx. 32km downwind
All pilots using Devon & Somerset Condors HGPG sites must be current BHPA flying members, hold a minimum rating of CP Hill and obtain a site brief from a pilot who regularly flies the site.
The information contained in this document is provided purely as guidance. It is not intended to be an exhaustive guide to the hazards that may be encountered and it is the responsibility of individual pilots to carry out their own assessment of the site and weather conditions before making a decision to fly.
Neither the Devon & Somerset Condors Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club, authors of this guide, editors of this guide, any official or member of the club in any way accept liability for any accident, injury, or loss, to any person, resulting from free flying activities or the use of this guide.