BRITAIN FROM ABOVE

Jason Hawkes takes to the skies to capture an incredible photographic portrait of our amazing country

Britain is a stunning country to photograph. In just a morning’s flight you can go from busy towns and cities to tiny rural villages, from rugged mountain scenery to the flattest broads, from meandering waterways to remote coastlines.

Steeped in myth and legend, here Glastonbury Tor’s ancient terraces are slashed by the long shadow cast by the ruins of St Michael’s church (left) Tucked behind a railway station, these slabs of colour caught my eye and turned out to be double decker buses awaiting export. Pick out the Spice Girls’ tour bus (middle) Stone Henge is near a military base, so all aerial shots are taken from the same side. The stone circle is still awe-inspiring from above (right)

And as for the history and heritage, it’s surely one of the richest landscapes in the world for ancient monuments and magnificent architecture.

An unusual shot of Buckingham Palace reveals a garden party in full swing. The Queen is there, mingling with her guests (left) Like a giant cat’s cradle, the Forth Railway Bridge spans the waters of the Firth of Forth – Scotland is a treasure trove of aerial views (right)

I’ve been flying for 20 years and I’m still passionate about the sense of freedom it brings and the fascinating sights visible from the sky.

With its brightly coloured fairground rides, Brighton Pier looks like some delightful pleasure-lovers’ peninsula

Perched 1,400 feet up by the open door of my helicopter, I’m lucky to be able to spend my time doing something that gives me so much pleasure.

Britain From Above Month By Month by Jason Hawkes (Dorling Kindersley, £20).