Bruce Castle: Drone Survey Supporting
Conservation & 3D Documentation
Short aerial film of Bruce Castle Museum & Archive, captured for Haringey Council in Tottenham, North London – July 2025.
Project Brief and overview
Bruce Castle – Aerial Survey & Heritage Footage
Commissioned by Haringey Council together with Bruce Castle Museum and Archieve, this project was to produce the follwing":
A detailed aerial roof survey of Bruce Castle, including the Tudor Tower and rear extension.
To produce high-res imagery, 3D photogrammetry models, and heritage footage of the building, ancient oak tree, and grounds.
Assets were to be created for both conservation use and public engagement across web, social, and print.
Flight Planning
and prep
Early morning operations were planned to ensure public safety and ideal lighting. This diagram outlines the 50m orbit path, key hazards (trees, towers), emergency landing zones, and take-off/landing points — all designed to support safe, efficient drone operations across the site.
Execution
We arrived on site at 5:00 AM to set up and begin operations. The early start allowed us to capture soft morning light from the east — ideal for both the visual quality of the footage and the accuracy of the roof survey.
The first hour focused on documenting the roof. During planning, we had divided the four principal roof sections into 15 zones. We captured over 240 high-resolution RAW images, with top-down (90°) and angled (40°) shots to support accurate photogrammetry. These were later used to generate a detailed 3D model of the roof structure.
Once the survey was complete, we carried out a series of smooth flyovers and cinematic tracking shots for Bruce Castle’s communications team. This included footage of the building, tower, and surrounding parkland — suitable for web, social, and promotional use.
The final stage focused on capturing the 550-year-old oak tree, which was a priority for the client. We used orbit flights, low passes, and cinematic fly-throughs to create a set of visual assets that highlighted the tree’s scale, age, and setting within the grounds.
UAV Roof Aerial Survey
A total of 240+ high-resolution aerial images were processed and analysed to produce a comprehensive 67-page roof condition report for Bruce Castle. The report identifies multiple areas of potential deterioration and maintenance concern.
Download a sample to review the reporting format and key findings.
The Different roofs in 3D
This 3D model was created to support roof inspection and conservation planning. Generated from 240+ aerial images, it provides a detailed spatial overview of the main roof structures, allowing teams to assess condition, access requirements, and areas of potential concern remotely.
Preview Video reel
This is a short preview reel showcasing some of the footage captured at Bruce Castle.
Final Deliverables
& Outcomes
The client received a comprehensive survey package, including a full inspection report, a 3D roof model, high-resolution imagery, 4K video footage, a cinematic highlights edit, and an annotated flight plan. All assets were delivered in both full-resolution and web-ready formats to support a range of uses.
These materials can now be used to support access planning, monitor potential roof issues, and provide a reliable visual record for future conservation and architectural assessments.
Got a Survey or Inspection Project in Mind?
Planning a conservation survey, roof inspection, or need high-quality aerial imagery? We’d love to hear from you.
We specialise in safe, heritage-sensitive drone operations — delivering detailed visuals to support restoration planning, architectural review, and public engagement.
Based in London — available for projects across the UK.
+44 (0)7377 869 579
info@cavaerial.com
