First of all, if your drone is over 249g or is equipped with a camera, it is important that you become a licensed drone operator and acquire the A2 CofC and GVC licenses to be able to fly legally. Once you're ready to fly your drone in London, you should first of all be aware that London is a place full of hazards and where things can go wrong quickly. Always keep in mind: Is my flight necessary? Am I endangering any uninvolved people? Am I in a safe place to operate?
As well, you should be aware that there are a lot of flight restrictions in London. London has an impressive amount of airports, so before you engage in any aerial photography, always look up how far takeoff is from an airport. Airports and Heliports such as the one in Battersea have a Flight Restriction Zone or FRZ of a 2-mile radius boundary, plus the runway that has a restriction that is 5 km long and 1 km wide. It is important to note that Heathrow has two of these boundaries.
Additionally, you should watch out for stadiums (e.g., The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, The Emirates Stadium, The London Stadium...). You have to ask for special permission to fly your drones in these airspace areas.
Central London has three Restriction Zones: R157, R158 & R159 They have been put in place for the protection of the public and of historical building. Please take note of the map below as it shows you all of the London Flight Restriction Zones. Safe flying!
