Britain from the air images to be displayed

Aerial photographs showing more than 100 landscapes and scenes from around Britain will go on display on a city centre street, according to the Royal Geographical Society.

From dramatic coastlines and mountains to shopping centres and power stations, Britain from the Air will celebrate the diversity of the scenery on our doorstep, according to the organisers.

It depicts unusual sights such as a heart-shaped wood of hawthorn trees in Oare, Wiltshire, and an earth-raised sculpture of Sultan the Pit Pony in Caerphilly, Wales, as well as symbols of industry and agriculture such as a salmon farm in the Shetland Isles.

The free exhibition in Bath city centre will also feature a giant walk-on Ordnance Survey map measuring 16 by 8 metres for people to pinpoint the image locations and cover the length and breadth of the country – in virtual terms.

Actor and broadcaster Michael Palin, president of the Royal Geographical Society, will launch the display today.

He said: “Our landscapes in Britain tell the stories of our heritage, bring alive the beauty of our environment, and challenge us all to understand the changes taking place in our towns and cities.

“All too often, chasing far-away places, we forget just what beauty we have on our doorstep and just how varied Britain is, even today.

“This exhibition is designed to celebrate this diversity and shows us, very powerfully, just what we’re missing down here on the ground.

“The stories of these landscapes are revealed – so visitors can truly explore and discover something new.”

The exhibition was created by the Society (with the Institute of British Geographers) and street gallery pioneers Wecommunic8.