Drone Ban Takes Flight Over Latitude Festival 2025

Get ready for a drone-free Latitude Festival this summer, as new regulations swoop in to ensure safety and privacy for all attendees. Here's what you need to know about this new airspace rule.

What’s Happening?

From 5 AM on July 23rd to 4 PM on July 28th, 2025, the skies above Beccles, Suffolk, will be off-limits to unmanned aircraft, including drones. The UK government has issued this restriction to protect the thousands expected to attend the popular Latitude Festival.

Why the Ban?

The Secretary of State has determined that, for public interest and safety, unmanned aircraft should not fly in the area during the festival period. Large gatherings, such as Latitude Festival, present unique security challenges, and this move aims to mitigate any risks posed by unauthorized drone flights.

The Boundaries

The restricted airspace is defined by a series of GPS coordinates forming a boundary around the festival site. Essentially, no drones can fly below 600 feet above sea level within this designated zone.

Exceptions to the Rule

There are a couple of exceptions to this rule:

• Drones with explicit permission from the Festival Republic events safety officer can take to the skies.
• Drones operated by or for the Police Air Support Unit are also exempt.

Timing Details

Remember, the times stated are in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), which means they are one hour behind British Summer Time (BST). So, make sure to adjust your watches accordingly.

Need More Info?

For those seeking further details, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will distribute full information through Aeronautical Information Circulars and Notices to Aviation. The go-to contact for this regulation is Alan Frew, Airspace Regulator at the CAA, reachable at 03301 382734.

Enjoy the festival and rest assured that the skies will be a little quieter and a lot safer this year!