Longest line of sight (UK)

[Altrincham]

Crossing Cock Hill Moor on the A6033 between Keighley and Hebden Bridge on a clear night, you can see the red warning lights on three different TV transmitters....Winter Hill, Holme Moss and Emley Moor. While not by any means a 60 mile clear line of sight, it's quite impressive all the same. The Emley Moor television tower - at 323 metres, the tallest free-standing structure in these islands - is actually taller than the hill on which it stands and can be seen from a very long distance at night from some directions.

That sounds like an incredible sight.

I often wish these TV transmitters had an accessible viewing platform because the views would be phenomenal. Even better on clear nights where I’d imagine it would be possible to see urban conurbations across different regions in one spot.

 

[nlogax]

I often wish these TV transmitters had an accessible viewing platform because the views would be phenomenal. Even better on clear nights where I’d imagine it would be possible to see urban conurbations across different regions in one spot.

Absolutely, the Emley Moor viewing platform is something I've been wanting to visit for years. It'd make a ton of cash for Arqiva!

 

[D6130]

I often wish these TV transmitters had an accessible viewing platform because the views would be phenomenal. Even better on clear nights where I’d imagine it would be possible to see urban conurbations across different regions in one spot.

The reinforced concrete Emley Moor TV tower, completed in 1971 to replace its stayed tubular steel predecessor, which collapsed in 1969, was planned to include a revolving restaurant near the top but, unfortunately, during its construction, the IRA bombed the Post Office Tower in London - which at that time had a revolving restaurant - and both of them were knocked on the head. However, the high speed lifts which were designed to access the restaurant and public viewing platform, are still in use for maintenance staff. Would it be too much to hope that Arquiva might hold a public open day once current upgrading works have been completed?

 

[DelW]

It's a great pity that none of the telecoms towers in Britain are open to the public. In Germany, where concrete fernsehturm are more common than here, several have public viewing galleries with bars or restaurants, including two which I have visited, in Berlin and Stuttgart. They are very well used and have excellent views.

Although it wasn't built for telecoms, the somewhat similar Space Needle in Seattle is a very popular tourist attraction, with wonderful views over city, sea and mountains.

I know that the IRA activity was the reason for initially closing the restaurant at the then GPO tower in London, but I doubt that at present, British towers are any more at risk than those in Germany or the US. I suspect it's more that privatisation has resulted in their being owned by companies for whom private profit is more important than public good, despite these towers having been built with public money in the first place. So public access is firmly in the "we can't be bothered" box.

 

[najaB]

I suspect it's more that privatisation has resulted in their being owned by companies for whom private profit is more important than public good, despite these towers having been built with public money in the first place. So public access is firmly in the "we can't be bothered" box.

I can't comment on Arqiva but BT did spend money renovating the restaurant in the BT Tower with intention of opening it to the public but couldn't due to several issues, the main one being that the site is classified as Tier 1 national security infrastructure. Rightly or wrongly the UK has been at a heightened terror threat level for much of the last couple of decades.

 

[Acey]

Re views from high places,Nov 5th 1984 the wife and I left Bromley Kent around 19 00 ,train to London,overnight train Euston -Fort William ,arrived around 10 00 ,climbed Ben Nevis ,down about 16.30,got the overnight train back to London ,arrived home about 06 30 ,so a 36 hour trip ! Didn't cost a thing ( free travel )
Although it was Nov we were lucky ( good planning ) with the weather ,it was clear and cold,not the usual for the Ben ,unfortunately we only had a cheap old point and shoot camera in those far off days so the pics ( barely had time to take many as it was getting a bit dark by then ) are not great but we could see for miles all around ,the first pic is looking south towards Ben More and the second towards the Northwest ,on the right hand side of the second you can make out The Isle of Rhum ,51 miles away ,although we could see much farther than that ,unforgettable trip ! please click to view

 

[eMeS]

Re views from high places,Nov 5th 1984 the wife and I left Bromley Kent around 19 00 ,train to London,overnight train Euston -Fort William ,arrived around 10 00 ,climbed Ben Nevis ,down about 16.30,got the overnight train back to London ,arrived home about 06 30 ,so a 36 hour trip ! Didn't cost a thing ( free travel )
Although it was Nov we were lucky ( good planning ) with the weather ,it was clear and cold,not the usual for the Ben ,unfortunately we only had a cheap old point and shoot camera in those far off days so the pics ( barely had time to take many as it was getting a bit dark by then ) are not great but we could see for miles all around ,the first pic is looking south towards Ben More and the second towards the Northwest ,on the right hand side of the second you can make out The Isle of Rhum ,51 miles away ,although we could see much farther than that ,unforgettable trip ! please click to view

No need to apologise for your camera or skills - they're excellent views!
In around 1960 I visited Rhum by sailing boat and we stayed the night in the bay, before leaving for Oban.

 

[peteb]

Re views from high places,Nov 5th 1984 the wife and I left Bromley Kent around 19 00 ,train to London,overnight train Euston -Fort William ,arrived around 10 00 ,climbed Ben Nevis ,down about 16.30,got the overnight train back to London ,arrived home about 06 30 ,so a 36 hour trip ! Didn't cost a thing ( free travel )
Although it was Nov we were lucky ( good planning ) with the weather ,it was clear and cold,not the usual for the Ben ,unfortunately we only had a cheap old point and shoot camera in those far off days so the pics ( barely had time to take many as it was getting a bit dark by then ) are not great but we could see for miles all around ,the first pic is looking south towards Ben More and the second towards the Northwest ,on the right hand side of the second you can make out The Isle of Rhum ,51 miles away ,although we could see much farther than that ,unforgettable trip ! please click to view

Assume that was a slide film, fantastic pictures, and makes me want to do a winter visit there myself.

 

[Acey]

Thanks,yes it was slide film if I recall, then scanned some years later .

 

[adc82140]

TV and radio transmitters make identifying places so much easier. On holiday in Minehead this year, at night I could make out the lights of the transmitters at Kilvey Hill (Swansea), St. Hilary and Wenvoe (just to the west of Cardiff), Mendip, and more locally Washford.

 

[Acey]

Regarding lines of site,this view of London was taken from near Tatsfield -Kent up on the Nth Downs ( 16 miles ) does anyone know what the ( red ) bricked ,somewhat ornate looking building is just to the left of the Shard and further behind ?

 

[Ediswan]

Regarding lines of site,this view of London was taken from near Tatsfield -Kent up on the Nth Downs ( 16 miles ) does anyone know what the ( red ) bricked ,somewhat ornate looking building is just to the left of the Shard and further behind ?

Do you mean Alexandra Palace ?

 

[Acey]

Just checked, looks like it,thanks very much !

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Alexandra Palace is roughly 5½ miles beyond the Shard, which gives you an indication of the scale within the picture.

Excellent image.

I suspect that tower block visible beyond Alexandra Palace may be this one in Potter's Bar, another 6 miles or so further along as the crow flies:

Google Maps

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[Ediswan]

I have been pondering that image and I have my own question. What is the white building roughly as far right of the Shard as Ally Pally is left ?

I suspect that tower block visible beyond Alexandra Palace may be this one in Potter's Bar, another 6 miles or so further along as the crow flies:

I'm going for the tower blocks on the Alma Estate at Ponders End (when all four were still there). The slightly closer chimney of the always controversial Edmonton incinerator provides a reference.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I have been pondering that image and I have my own question. What is the white building roughly as far right of the Shard as Ally Pally is left ?

It looks further away than Alexandra Palace, but not as far as Potter's Bar. On a rough bearing from Tatsfield the angular distance to the right of the Shard would place it somewhere between the Chingford and Romford direction.

I'm going for the tower blocks on the Alma Estate at Ponders End (when all four were still there). The slightly closer chimney of the always controversial Edmonton incinerator provides a reference.

From Tatsfield, Ponder's End should be behind or slightly to the right of the Shard.

 

[Acey]

Here's a pic taken a few years later from the same spot but looking more to the Nth East ,it really is a great place to view most of London,on a clear day ( rare ) both pics were taken at around 200mm focal length !

 

[Scotrail314209]

Not so much a long line of sight, but I do like how from the Fife Coast you can quite clearly make out the City of Edinburgh including the likes of Arthur’s Seat, Leith and the new high rise flats at Western Harbour.

Down the river you can see the bridges too which is an extra nice touch.

 

[Taunton]

TV and radio transmitters make identifying places so much easier. On holiday in Minehead this year, at night I could make out the lights of the transmitters at Kilvey Hill (Swansea), St. Hilary and Wenvoe (just to the west of Cardiff), Mendip, and more locally Washford.

You can get some spectacular views from the North Hill at Minehead, the Severn Bridges, Pembrokeshire, Brecon Beacons, and sometimes the Cotswolds in the far distance. Said to be possible to see Malvern Hills, never seen them myself.

 

[Jpr463]

Apologies if it's been mentioned before, but I was on Winter Hill yesterday and managed to capture this photo looking south. The Wrekin is prominent on the left 65 miles away, the next faint bump is Brown Clee Hill at 80 miles distant and the Long Mynd is visible on the right at 76 miles.
The Wrekin is often visible from Winter Hill and as are the Lakeland fells and Carneddau, all just over 60 miles away, but this is the first time I've ever seen Brown Clee and the Mynd from it.

 

[Scotrail314209]

Apologies if it's been mentioned before, but I was on Winter Hill yesterday and managed to capture this photo looking south. The Wrekin is prominent on the left 65 miles away, the next faint bump is Brown Clee Hill at 80 miles distant and the Long Mynd is visible on the right at 76 miles.
The Wrekin is often visible from Winter Hill and as are the Lakeland fells and Carneddau, all just over 60 miles away, but this is the first time I've ever seen Brown Clee and the Mynd from it. View attachment 106288

Stunning, utter stunning.

I love how winter always provides some really good views.

 

[High Dyke]

Do you mean Alexandra Palace ?

Here's the Google streetview from Ally Pally towards The Shard. NB: not my image.

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Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

maps.app.goo.gl

 

[Howardh]

Apologies if it's been mentioned before, but I was on Winter Hill yesterday and managed to capture this photo looking south. The Wrekin is prominent on the left 65 miles away, the next faint bump is Brown Clee Hill at 80 miles distant and the Long Mynd is visible on the right at 76 miles.
The Wrekin is often visible from Winter Hill and as are the Lakeland fells and Carneddau, all just over 60 miles away, but this is the first time I've ever seen Brown Clee and the Mynd from it. View attachment 106288

Excellent! Did you go up the road as far as you can, or walk (either up that road or on paths)?

 

[Taunton]

Notably the photograph matches well the Panorama generated image from Winter Hill. They don't always.



View attachment 106349

 

[Altrincham]

Apologies if it's been mentioned before, but I was on Winter Hill yesterday and managed to capture this photo looking south. The Wrekin is prominent on the left 65 miles away, the next faint bump is Brown Clee Hill at 80 miles distant and the Long Mynd is visible on the right at 76 miles.
The Wrekin is often visible from Winter Hill and as are the Lakeland fells and Carneddau, all just over 60 miles away, but this is the first time I've ever seen Brown Clee and the Mynd from it.

That’s an incredible panorama. Winter Hill is one of my favourites because it offers the potential for such wide-ranging vistas across a variety of regions.

Looking at the panorama for Brown Clee Hill, that too gives a wide panorama where it’s possible to take in a view spanning the Cotswolds, Malverns, Brecon Beacons, and Winter Hill.

I’m hoping one day to try and spot Winter Hill from the north coast of Anglesey.

 

[nlogax]

That’s an incredible panorama. Winter Hill is one of my favourites because it offers the potential for such wide-ranging vistas across a variety of regions

Weather-depending I’m pondering stopping off at the summit of Winter Hill this coming weekend during my drive back from Scotland. It really is -the- beacon of the northwest and features in so many amazing lines of sight in this thread alone.

 

[Altrincham]

Weather-depending I’m pondering stopping off at the summit of Winter Hill this coming weekend during my drive back from Scotland. It really is -the- beacon of the northwest and features in so many amazing lines of sight in this thread alone.

Did you manage a trip up Winter Hill?

I’m contemplating a trip at some point in the coming weeks if we get more of this crisp and clear weather.

 

[nlogax]

Did you manage a trip up Winter Hill?

I’m contemplating a trip at some point in the coming weeks if we get more of this crisp and clear weather.

Sadly not, the post-new year drive south was less of a drive, more of a surf and not weather for decent lines of sight! I'll try again in the spring, hopefully you make it soon

 

[Altrincham]

Did you manage a trip up Winter Hill?

I’m contemplating a trip at some point in the coming weeks if we get more of this crisp and clear weather.

Sadly not, the post-new year drive south was less of a drive, more of a surf and not weather for decent lines of sight! I'll try again in the spring, hopefully you make it soon

All being well I will get up Winter Hill at some point. I’d be delighted if the view was as clear and good as the pictures seen in this link:

In Lockdown: Winter Hill

As lockdown restrictions began to slowly ease, I headed to Winter Hill in the West Pennine Moors

www.mdcphoto.uk

 

[Scotrail314209]

Beautiful morning in Central Scotland today. Approaching the Kincardine Bridge gave a gorgeous view of the silouetthes (spelling?) of the Queensferry Crossing, Forth Road Bridge and Forth Rail Bridge. Looked stunning against the sunrise.

Could even get a glimpse of Arthur’s
Seat.

I think these are about 15/20 miles upriver?