Leybourne Grange Colony

Urban Exploration uk

Situated in Kent Leybourne grange spans 270 acres. The grange was built using an existing Manor house and the surrounding land. There is no specific pattern to the buildings apart from the road which links them all. the whole "grange" was self sufficient with 27 villas which housed up to 1,200 patients. Also on the land are kitchens, a school, laundry and a boiler house.

The Colony was owpened in 1936 and was active as a mental health unit until its decomission began in 1992 and was completed in 1996 with the last patient leaving. The buildings all now stand derelict with the acception of the main Manor which is used for Police training as one of my friends found out and is secured like fort knox. Plans for the demolishing of the site are to begin within the next six months to make way for new affordable housing and and a new bypass.

Leybourne Grange is by far one of the largest of the sites that I have visited. The main structures are not that large it is just the plain size of the grounds.

I visited this site with Little Elvis, Markr and Robsey. We entered the site and were immediately greeted by the large nurse’s block which we entered into pitch black. Deciding that the floors were not too safe let alone in the dark we headed up a floor. The corridors in this building were huge running the complete length. We made our way to the top floor where when looking out of the window it became apparent just how large this site was.

Making our way outside we headed towards the main hall avoiding the very active security patrols. Once inside we were faced with a swimming pool and various halls. a little way of was the intact main hall inside the hall there seemed to be a den made by kids or possibly a homeless person. We also found a cool car thingy.

After the hall it was time to aim toward our goal for the day THE BOILER ROOM. I had been told it was impossible to get in without breaking in, as I do not damage the sites I visit I took up this challenge. We scouted round the building and could not find a way in so we left it.

Heading towards the main Manor we came across the small but very beautiful clock tower. The main building is completely boarded up due to a marble stair case, fire place and other valuable fixtures. At this point Markr headed off due to excessive exploring fatigue.

So we headed back to the Boiler house, after some climbing and almost dying we made our way in through an opening. We were rewarded for all our troubles with an untouched Boiler room and works area.

So after photographing the boiler room we headed off and home(after getting lost)

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