Clapham Noth Deep Shelter
Built between 1941-1942 to hold up to 12,000 people. more history can be found here: http://underground-history.co.uk/shelters.php
visited this earlier in the year with Siologen Jeeves bus driver westminster, the legend himself Loops and Easyjet Rooks.
I am a man of few words so on with the pics.
visited this earlier in the year with Siologen Jeeves bus driver westminster, the legend himself Loops and Easyjet Rooks.
I am a man of few words so on with the pics.
Millenium Mills
The millenium mills stands like a pillar of a determined industrial era, defying the surrounding developments almost laughing at the modern buildings which sit opposite. Approaching the building you have to make an almost Platoon like run through a field of reeds, long grass and thorns, not dodging the Vietcong but instead dodging the big 4x4 and security guards. As you get to the building its sheer size looms above you. We make our way inside and to gain entry to the main building we are confronted with a leap of faith from one ledge to another three stories up from a very solid strip of concrete, I take a deep breath and leap, as I fly through the air that thought I often get creeps into my mind, WHY, why the fuck do I put myself through this I could photograph flowers or landscapes, but then I suddenly flip back to where i am and realise why. When you are a child an adventure can be had with nothing more than a couple of cushions from a sofa and a table cloth but this is lost once you grow older as everywhere seems familiar and you are left with no real adventures, leaping from one ledge to another is an adventure and my adrenaline is pumping.
We get into the main building and wind our way through like one huge game of snake, with interesting machinery and architecture being the fruit. I am stunned at how badly this building is put together, there is no clear way from one end to the other instead you have to navigate various staircases. Throughout the building are helter skelter slides running from top to bottom the urge to slide down is one that is hard to ignore but I force myself to instead just posing for a group photo with my fellow explorers. Where various bits of machinery and the helter skelter slides have been removed holes in the floor are left dropping up to eight stories from top to bottom guaranteeing death to any who don’t watch their footing. We make our way to the roof somewhere I have been previously with Little Elvis but before when I came it was evening and we ignored the building as a location instead went to watch the sun set. I am glad this time we came to concentrate on the building the evening light is beautiful creating the kind of light which turns a dank derelict industrial location into a beautiful fairy tail land of adventure. I take my time with images treating the building with the respect it deserves photographically and setting each shot up as though I was shooting film composing and visualising the end results. I wanted to portray the building how I saw it, cold, clinical but beautiful.
After four hours inside we decide to make a move, running for the fence I am out of breath and gasping for air, my lungs burning the engine of the security guards 4x4 in my ears we make the fence, and leg it to the car and off on another great adventure….
We get into the main building and wind our way through like one huge game of snake, with interesting machinery and architecture being the fruit. I am stunned at how badly this building is put together, there is no clear way from one end to the other instead you have to navigate various staircases. Throughout the building are helter skelter slides running from top to bottom the urge to slide down is one that is hard to ignore but I force myself to instead just posing for a group photo with my fellow explorers. Where various bits of machinery and the helter skelter slides have been removed holes in the floor are left dropping up to eight stories from top to bottom guaranteeing death to any who don’t watch their footing. We make our way to the roof somewhere I have been previously with Little Elvis but before when I came it was evening and we ignored the building as a location instead went to watch the sun set. I am glad this time we came to concentrate on the building the evening light is beautiful creating the kind of light which turns a dank derelict industrial location into a beautiful fairy tail land of adventure. I take my time with images treating the building with the respect it deserves photographically and setting each shot up as though I was shooting film composing and visualising the end results. I wanted to portray the building how I saw it, cold, clinical but beautiful.
After four hours inside we decide to make a move, running for the fence I am out of breath and gasping for air, my lungs burning the engine of the security guards 4x4 in my ears we make the fence, and leg it to the car and off on another great adventure….
Lots Road Power Station
info from wiki
The station was commissioned by the Metropolitan District Electric Traction Co (which was soon to become part of the Underground Electric Railways empire of Charles Yerkes) in order to provide power to the Metropolitan District Railway (now known as the District Line). The station allowed the District Line and Circle Line trains to change from steam haulage to electric. At around the same time the Metropolitan Railway built their power station at Neasden.
The station was built end-on to the Thames, on the north bank of the tidal Chelsea Creek. Permission for the station was granted in 1897 and construction started in 1902 and completed in 1905. The station burned 700 tonnes of coal a day and had a generating capacity of 50,000 kW.[1] At the time it was claimed to be the largest power station ever built and would eventually power most of the railways and tramways in the Underground Electric Railways group.
The station was re-equipped on several occasions. The modernisation undertaken in the 1960s converted the station to 50 Hz generation and from burning coal to using heavy fuel oil. The number of chimneys was reduced from the original four to two. But between 1974 and 1977, with the discovery of natural gas in the North Sea, the boilers were converted to run on gas, with the option of oil firing if required. The station later worked in conjunction with the ex-London County Council Tramways power station at Greenwich to supply the London Underground network.
The station unwittingly played a part in the birth of commercial radio in the UK. When the first two stations opened in October 1973 (LBC and Capital Radio), the site for their medium wave transmitters was not complete. As a result, a temporary 'Tee' antenna was strung up between the two chimneys (transmitting LBC on 417m (719kHz), and Capital Radio on 539m (557kHz)), until the permanent site at Saffron Green was ready in 1975. Some years later the site was used again, on 720kHz, for a low power MW relay of BBC Radio 4's LW service.
In the 1990s, it was decided that rather than re-equip Lots Road, it would continue to operate until the machinery's life was expired. It remained in operation until being shut down on 21 October 2002. Since then, all power for the tube system is supplied from the National Grid.
visited with Rookinella and siologen
The station was commissioned by the Metropolitan District Electric Traction Co (which was soon to become part of the Underground Electric Railways empire of Charles Yerkes) in order to provide power to the Metropolitan District Railway (now known as the District Line). The station allowed the District Line and Circle Line trains to change from steam haulage to electric. At around the same time the Metropolitan Railway built their power station at Neasden.
The station was built end-on to the Thames, on the north bank of the tidal Chelsea Creek. Permission for the station was granted in 1897 and construction started in 1902 and completed in 1905. The station burned 700 tonnes of coal a day and had a generating capacity of 50,000 kW.[1] At the time it was claimed to be the largest power station ever built and would eventually power most of the railways and tramways in the Underground Electric Railways group.
The station was re-equipped on several occasions. The modernisation undertaken in the 1960s converted the station to 50 Hz generation and from burning coal to using heavy fuel oil. The number of chimneys was reduced from the original four to two. But between 1974 and 1977, with the discovery of natural gas in the North Sea, the boilers were converted to run on gas, with the option of oil firing if required. The station later worked in conjunction with the ex-London County Council Tramways power station at Greenwich to supply the London Underground network.
The station unwittingly played a part in the birth of commercial radio in the UK. When the first two stations opened in October 1973 (LBC and Capital Radio), the site for their medium wave transmitters was not complete. As a result, a temporary 'Tee' antenna was strung up between the two chimneys (transmitting LBC on 417m (719kHz), and Capital Radio on 539m (557kHz)), until the permanent site at Saffron Green was ready in 1975. Some years later the site was used again, on 720kHz, for a low power MW relay of BBC Radio 4's LW service.
In the 1990s, it was decided that rather than re-equip Lots Road, it would continue to operate until the machinery's life was expired. It remained in operation until being shut down on 21 October 2002. Since then, all power for the tube system is supplied from the National Grid.
visited with Rookinella and siologen
Haggerston Baths - London
info from www.haggerstonpool.com
Mr Alfred W.S.Cross, the architect, stood in the front rank for building of that description, and the work was of the best and most substantial character.
Haggerston Pool has been closed since February 2000. Despite a big community campaign to pressurise Hackney Council into reopening it, nothing has happened. The pool building is deteriorating and, despite its Grade II listed building status, is on the Council's list for disposals.
Kingsway tunnels
taken from wiki
The Kingsway Tramway Subway was a cut-and-cover tunnel in central London, built by the London County Council. The decision in 1898 to clear slum districts in the Holborn area provided an opportunity to use the new streets for a tramway connecting the lines in the north and south and, following the pattern of tramway systems in New York (the Murray Hill Tunnel) and Boston (the MBTA Green Line), it was decided to build this as an underground connection.
The Kingsway Tramway Subway was a cut-and-cover tunnel in central London, built by the London County Council. The decision in 1898 to clear slum districts in the Holborn area provided an opportunity to use the new streets for a tramway connecting the lines in the north and south and, following the pattern of tramway systems in New York (the Murray Hill Tunnel) and Boston (the MBTA Green Line), it was decided to build this as an underground connection.
Battersea Power Station
info from www.batterseapowerstation.org.uk
Sir Giles Gilbert Scott was commissioned to design the building. His other buildings include Liverpool Cathedral, Bankside Power Station, Waterloo Bridge and the classic red telephone box.
The building is in fact a steel girder frame and Sir Giles designed the exterior brick cladding and the tower-like bases of the four chimneys. It is the largest brick building in Europe.
In effect Battersea is two power stations and the familiar silhouette of four chimneys did not appear until 1953 and for the first 20 years the building had a long rather than four-square appearance, with a chimney at each end. But even this appearance caused positive comments, described as a temple of power and to rank as a London landmark equal with St. Paul's Cathedral. In 1939 a survey of celebrities voted it their 2nd favourite building when canvassed by the Architects Journal.
The construction of 'B' Station was begun a few months after World War 2 to bring Battersea to a total capacity of 509 megawatts and the 3rd. largest power station in the U.K.
This huge project, begun by the London Power company 30 years before, was to be completed by the British Electric Authority when the electricity supply was nationalised in 1948. Battersea "B" station began operating in 1953 and had the highest thermal efficiency of all power stations and provided one fifth of Londons total electricity supplies, ( 28 other stations generated the rest )
Throughout the whole of its life Battersea has been a symbol of the electricity industry to the media and the general public alike.
Battersea Power Station ceased all production of electricity in 1983 leaving the Electricity Board with the problem of what to do with the building. They had planned, before the Grade 2 listing was conferred, that demolition and sale of the 15 acres of land would bring "welcome revenue" but they were now left with the high costs of preserving the building instead. To rid themselves of this responsibility they decided to offer the Power Station for any alternative use that they deemed financially viable. They held a competition in 1983 to encourage developers to submit ideas and from a short-list of 10 schemes, a panel of experts lead by Sir Hugh Casson chose an idea for a theme park based on episodes from Britain's industrial history as the only financially viable entry.
The Electricity Board had made a token attempt to involve the local community in the competition with a separate section for schools and other organisations to submit their ideas but there was no question that this section could win the competition.
Local people were allowed to vote on the different schemes through a self selecting ballot but the result was not to influence the panel, and an area of a mere 10,000 square feet was to be for the communities use in any winning scheme.
Local people had worked hard to make it the most efficient power station, many devoting their entire working lives to the success of the station. The surrounding area, largely housing estates for working people, would be affected by any new use for the station.
it still stands derelict
explored with various people including, siologen, Oxygen thief, Little Elvis and many more
Sir Giles Gilbert Scott was commissioned to design the building. His other buildings include Liverpool Cathedral, Bankside Power Station, Waterloo Bridge and the classic red telephone box.
The building is in fact a steel girder frame and Sir Giles designed the exterior brick cladding and the tower-like bases of the four chimneys. It is the largest brick building in Europe.
In effect Battersea is two power stations and the familiar silhouette of four chimneys did not appear until 1953 and for the first 20 years the building had a long rather than four-square appearance, with a chimney at each end. But even this appearance caused positive comments, described as a temple of power and to rank as a London landmark equal with St. Paul's Cathedral. In 1939 a survey of celebrities voted it their 2nd favourite building when canvassed by the Architects Journal.
The construction of 'B' Station was begun a few months after World War 2 to bring Battersea to a total capacity of 509 megawatts and the 3rd. largest power station in the U.K.
This huge project, begun by the London Power company 30 years before, was to be completed by the British Electric Authority when the electricity supply was nationalised in 1948. Battersea "B" station began operating in 1953 and had the highest thermal efficiency of all power stations and provided one fifth of Londons total electricity supplies, ( 28 other stations generated the rest )
Throughout the whole of its life Battersea has been a symbol of the electricity industry to the media and the general public alike.
Battersea Power Station ceased all production of electricity in 1983 leaving the Electricity Board with the problem of what to do with the building. They had planned, before the Grade 2 listing was conferred, that demolition and sale of the 15 acres of land would bring "welcome revenue" but they were now left with the high costs of preserving the building instead. To rid themselves of this responsibility they decided to offer the Power Station for any alternative use that they deemed financially viable. They held a competition in 1983 to encourage developers to submit ideas and from a short-list of 10 schemes, a panel of experts lead by Sir Hugh Casson chose an idea for a theme park based on episodes from Britain's industrial history as the only financially viable entry.
The Electricity Board had made a token attempt to involve the local community in the competition with a separate section for schools and other organisations to submit their ideas but there was no question that this section could win the competition.
Local people were allowed to vote on the different schemes through a self selecting ballot but the result was not to influence the panel, and an area of a mere 10,000 square feet was to be for the communities use in any winning scheme.
Local people had worked hard to make it the most efficient power station, many devoting their entire working lives to the success of the station. The surrounding area, largely housing estates for working people, would be affected by any new use for the station.
it still stands derelict
explored with various people including, siologen, Oxygen thief, Little Elvis and many more
Astoria Bingo - Brighton
Façe faced with white precast stone blocks, with casements and fluted panels bronze green; canopy over entrance. The Astoria was built on modern lines; the original interior colour scheme was gold and rose. Small stage and dressing rooms, fly tower with counterweight system in situ. A Compton 3/8 organ with illuminated console was installed, but this was removed in 1958 to accommodate the Tod-AO screen; the grilles, however, remain. Also in 1958 there were minor alterations when a new projection box was built in the rear of the circle; this replaced the original box on the roof. At the same time the auditorium walls were curtained for the 'luxury' look. The Astoria closed in 1977 for conversion for bingo. This used continued until 1997, when the venue was vacated. Threatened with demolition for residential accommodation it was spot-listed in 2001.
Explored with Mofo
Explored with Mofo
Royal Alexandra Hospital
The Royal Alexandra Hospital for Sick Children – affectionately known as The Alex – was officially opened in 1881 by their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales. It has a long history of progressive and innovative paediatric care embracing medicine, nursing and related professions, paediatric nurse training and research. In June 2007, the new hospital opened on the Royal Sussex County Hospital site - the state-of-the-art facility has won an international design award and continues with offering pioneering paediatric care.
Visited with Mofo
The River Fleet
Just a couple from this but will add more later
Thames Tunnels A & B
Visited with Little Elvis, Cybergibbens and Syme
Labyrinth
Visited with Dsankt and Loops
London Road Shelter
visited with tom from Imagine Imagery I shall return to this and add more photos when I do
Southwick Tower
Explored with Little Elvis and Zero
Carlton Cinemas - Cosham
Visited with permission to document the site before it is ruined and demolished
Manchester Draining Trip
A Huge draining trip to manchester with Loops, Zero and the wannabe gangsta named Dsankt
Fort Southwick
Visited with permission from the owner this site is incredibly preserved
Pan Penninsula Tower
Visited with Loops, Zero and Dsankt
Lower COTS Drain
Our journey begins with the first images of COTS (Colossus of the South) by Sub Urban looking through them everyone was immediately drawn to the image of Eddies Vortex (named after writing on the wall saying this). I personally had to see it for myself; the sheer size of this plug hole dwarfed all others. Fast forward a year and a half and I am turning a corner noise surrounds me water flows beneath me and I am confronted with one of the scariest and most awesome architectural features I have seen in my life. Huge plug hole water rushing over the sides of it and falling 100ft to the bottom where it crashes into Lower COTS. The noise the water splashing everywhere the whole experience overwhelms me and I am hooked on draining. This image of the whole turns peoples stomachs as they see what is basically a hole to certain death with slippery sides and fast flowing water looking to almost suck you into it.
Every person who sees Eddies Vortex always jokes about how awesome it would be to abseil down into the vortex. Fast forward to February 2008.
I am not a man for heights so unfortunately I cannot accept any congratulations for the following story as I did not partake but was there to witness.
There are many things I have seen people do that have astounded me; bungee jumping, free climbing, base jumping, to name a few today I will add a new one and raise it to the top of my list of respect.
It all began with a phone call saying Lower COTS Tuesday night trust me it will be good. So I arrive in Brighton waiting for the others to arrive slowly I am joined by
JD (www.suburban.com), Dsankt (www.sleepycity.org), Zero (www.silentuk.com), Loops (no one has ever seen one of his photos.com) and Little Elvis (www.dereliction.org). The mood is jovial but tense with various inappropriate jokes and laughter as we head for the entrance into Lower COTS. We climb down the 100 ft to Lower COTS and sort our shit out. Walkie-talkies are handed out and much immature fun is had. Over. Me Little Elvis and Loops hang at the western end of the drain as the others head of east to find the base of Eddies Vortex.
I take some arty photos of the tunnel using pretentious lighting and in my mind I have already photoshopped the hell out of them. Then we begin the walk to meet the others. Along the wall are markers saying how far along the tunnel you have travelled in meters as we reach just over 3000 meters we see a glimmer of light ahead. Out of the darkness an almighty thundering of water can be heard, we walk up some steps off the main Lower COTS tunnel to be confronted with the base of Eddies Vortex, which is equally as scary as the top. We immediately can hear voices above us and spot the ladder behind the base of the vortex. Up I climb first up a ladder and then a spiral staircase that goes around the vortex giving it an almost NASA feel and look as though we are climbing to the top of a rocket. As I climb up a final ladder to where Dsankt, JD and Zero are I walk over and look over the edge, I am stood about 30 foot above Eddies Vortex mouth.
This is possibly one of the scariest sites I have ever seen, and then I look to my left. Climbing over the edge of the barrier is the Ninja known as Dsankt. Fully kitted up and for once looking rather serious he is hanging over Eddies Vortex suspended.
This site brings both a huge smile to my face and sweat to my palms; it is both amazing and scary at the same time. He descends to the level of Eddies Vortex mouth where he sits on the edge checks his kit is all secured properly then does something I think I shall never erase from my memory, he goes into the mouth of eddies vortex. Descending slowly he is constantly being pummelled by freezing cold water, thankfully he has fashioned a waterproof cape to kinda keep him dry. As he descends further the water surrounding him starts to obstruct him from our view slightly as he descends into what can only be described as the bowels of Brighton. It is an amazing site and one that I am privileged to say I witnessed.
Next over the edge is Zero he is nervous as he is fairly inexperienced but with the expert advice from JD and Stoop he slowly lets go of the railing and heads down with incredible control and concentration. With his trademark silly poses and superman styleeees he makes his way to the bottom.
Then its JD’s turn over the side he goes, posing for photos as he goes down even helping to light some of them. Controlled and professional is the way I would describe JD’s decent, also damn quick at the end as he started to become engulfed in torrents of water as it all converges at the bottom of the vortex.
Then Zero decided he wanted to go again. As he went over the side I turned to partake in the ancient art of conversation with JD and we are interrupted by screaming, we both rush to see what is wrong, Zero is hanging half way down Eddies Vortex in what seems to be a lot of pain, we shout down but the thundering water muffles our shouts so they are inaudible to Zeros ears. Slowly Zero makes it to the bottom and we all wait to find out what went wrong. As he climbs the last ladder he reveals that the rope had chaffed really badly on his groin and he now had red rope burn marks, nothing serious then.
We then checked the time 4am right time to pack up our shit and leave, the rope was derigged and packed away, cameras went away and everything was secured into our bags. Then up into the real world everyone with smug faces we began the 45 minute walk back to the car which was parked next to the entrance of Lower COTS then back home by train (or car if you are JD).
As I sit here typing this trying to hold my eye lids open I keep thinking I must have imagined what I witnessed tonight but then I look at the pictures and I realise what the guys did today was set a whole new bar, one that I feel with not be touched by anyone for a long time. My utmost respect to JD, Dsankt and Zero for doing it, it was incredibly controlled and professional with every bit of equipment plus more checked and checked again. I shall leave you with some more random pictures from this amazing night:
Alias
Silverlands
This place was built/ converted for use to house peodophiles and sex offenders however due to funding running out the center never opened. How can a building so beautiful be built for what can only be described as beasts. As we approach the building my mind wanders to the thought of why in gods name a building with such splendour would be designated such a horrible task of housing the worst that society can produce. As we explore the evidence of the lack of funding and finance is shown though half finished development and I don’t know whether to be sad that this building is now defunct or happy because it will never see the use it was intended for.
Priddys Hard - Gosport
Visited with Zero. This site sits derelict hidden away within Gosport. When trying to find it we had some trouble but it proved to be a tardis like location, with endless arrays of buildings and various military structures.
Soda Ash Works
Visited with Little Elvis and Zero
Visited while on a road trip tied in with a social explorers meet in Stoke we traveled to the Soda Ash works, as we approached through fields of cows and along a small stream we jumped the fence and scouted around the building for an entrance into the metaphorical explorers candy shop inside. As I squeeze myself though the hole in a plank of wood covering where a window once sat my lungs are hit with that familiar taste of bird shit and dust mixed with the taste of undisturbed air (something you cannot describe to anyone who has not tasted it). The building itself swallows you inside as you wander around its levels, the tools sit in their correct spots where the workers left them waiting and hoping to be used once again but unfortunately they never will.
Industry like this is a dying bread like the dodo and my choice to document it is like the scientists that place animals inside formaldehyde I wish to preserve these things for others to see. I can but hope that my images achieve this and with this location I tried to not only show the small details which make this location unique but also portray its size.
Visited while on a road trip tied in with a social explorers meet in Stoke we traveled to the Soda Ash works, as we approached through fields of cows and along a small stream we jumped the fence and scouted around the building for an entrance into the metaphorical explorers candy shop inside. As I squeeze myself though the hole in a plank of wood covering where a window once sat my lungs are hit with that familiar taste of bird shit and dust mixed with the taste of undisturbed air (something you cannot describe to anyone who has not tasted it). The building itself swallows you inside as you wander around its levels, the tools sit in their correct spots where the workers left them waiting and hoping to be used once again but unfortunately they never will.
Industry like this is a dying bread like the dodo and my choice to document it is like the scientists that place animals inside formaldehyde I wish to preserve these things for others to see. I can but hope that my images achieve this and with this location I tried to not only show the small details which make this location unique but also portray its size.
Chatterley Whitfield Colliery
visited with Little Elvis, Snappel, and Zero
Bunker Drain - Warrington
Visited with Oxygen thief, Zero and Little Elvis
Crossness Pumping Station
Although not derelict this building was once, and is now being restored by some amazing people.
Rubix Drain
Visited and discovered with Zero
NGTE Pystock
visited on several occasions with various explorers
East Sussex Asylum - Hellingly
Visited on severall occasions with various explorers.
Serpent's lair - Drain
Visited with Zero
Deep Ochre - Drain
visited with Zero
the River Westbourne
Visited with Little Elvis, Paulo999 and Nurse Payne
Thanks to JD and Stoop for some pointers.
There are many things I have done in my life that I have thought after that I was stupid for doing. Thinking back I think I must be insane for doing what I did last night. Walking through the busy London streets in waders carrying rucksacks and generally looking dodgy we approuched our entry point. While being watched by a homeless guy on a bench we went through our saftey procedures to ensure our exit would be possible and safe. Then down we went.
The manhole closed on top of me as I was the last down and the echo was huge, just inside the entrance is a huge chamber with three tributaries leading into one. We gathered ourselves up and did a kit check. Then off we went.
We spent three hours down under london and only covered a small part of the huge system. However the Westbourne is feature full and facinating with the skill in the architecture making me stop and imagine the men building this beautiful hidden secret. Westbourne is a combined CSO which means that the sewer from London runs through it, this makes for some interesting smells and some interesting finds including: tampons, sanitary towels, condoms, etc...... even whole shits, I must admit at times in certain areas I did almost throw up and had to hold my breath at one point. The rats were plentiful with some even charging me as I blasted it with the search blaster. We have not finished exploring the Westbourne (no where near) we shall return and we shall document one of Londons lost treasures.
Here are some of my pictures from last night enjoy:
Longbridge Rover Factory
Good Night Rover. It seems that when Rover finally closed down the staff were not given enough notice to clear their things.
As we approuched the site the sheer scale of the place astounded us this was a town built around a factory, every other car was a rover. Entering the site we were amazed at what we found; half drunk coffee mugs, papers, test sheets, whole cars and a prototype just sitting there gathering dust. I shall let the photos do the rest of the talking
As we approuched the site the sheer scale of the place astounded us this was a town built around a factory, every other car was a rover. Entering the site we were amazed at what we found; half drunk coffee mugs, papers, test sheets, whole cars and a prototype just sitting there gathering dust. I shall let the photos do the rest of the talking
Witley Wonder
Hidden and barely documented this example of mad architecture sits inside a large estate in the UK. The ballroom is made up of glass, stone and steal and sits at the bottom of an artificial lake with a statue sat on top. I shall be returning to see more of this small but stunning site.
C.O.T.S Collosus of the South
High Marnham Power Station
RAF Stenigot
St Johns Asylum, Lincolnshire
Les Catacombs of Paris
Many people go to Paris on romantic weekends or tourist trips. I sat on the train feeling nervous about the trip I was about to take. I would catch the eurostar to Paris and instead of following the tourist trail would don waders and a boiler suit and embark on a trip deep into the dark depths of Paris. Into what is known as "les carrières de Paris" (the quarries of Paris) also known as "the catacombs of Paris".
During the Roman times Paris was built using the limestone found under the city and so the quarries were formed. Throughout the centuries following the Roman Empire the quarries grew and the networks of tunnels became more complicated and span an amazing 170 miles.
Then in 1786 the government under the orders of Monsieur Thiroux de Crosne, Lt. General of Police, and by Monsieur Guillaumot, Inspector General of Quarries decided that the quarries would be used as burial grounds during times of Plague and disease, where the cemeteries were filling up. Remains from the cemetery of Saint-Nicolas-des-Champs were among the first to be moved. Bodies of the dead from the riots in the Place de Greve, the Hotel de Brienne, and Rue Meslee were put in the catacombs on August 28 and 29, 1788.
The Catacombs has had many uses over the years including a base for the French Resistance during the Second World War. The Germans also established a bunker in the Catacombs and it is documented that the resistance and the Germans had a mutual respect while down in the Catacombs and never fired on each other.
In 1777 the IGC, Inspection générale des Carrières (General Inspection of the Quarries) was established. This was to combat the problems of collapse due to construction in Paris and subsidence. The IGC strengthened many of the tunnels and installed manhole entrances into the catacombs.
Entrance to the unofficial section of the catacombs is restricted and if caught people found will face a large fine and even jail. The risks involved are huge, including tight spaces, flooding and it would also be very easy for someone to get lost and die down there, it has happened.
As I sat on the train everything I had read on the Internet about the catacombs kept flashing through my head from Philibert Aspairt. Who was found 200 meters from an exit dead after getting lost down in the catacombs to the stories of all night parties and CataCops who patrol the Catacombs looking for explorers. Adrenalin pumped through my body along with fear the only word to describe my thoughts at that moment is disbelief at the task that lay ahead of me.
Arriving at Waterloo I met up with the other members of our team, Little Elvis, Zero, Calamity and our guide Paulo999 who would be taking his 4th trip into the depths of Paris. We passed through customs without a question of why we had caving equipment and were heading to Paris on a 24hour return ticket!!
As we stepped off the Eurostar after a hot couple of hours (air con was broken) my mind was buzzing. Looking around me I felt strange thinking about what was below us. We headed to the nearest restaurant to stock up on food and to use the facilities as these would be the last we saw in a while. Then onto the metro to our final stop, where we headed to a supermarche to pick up supplies.
As we left the supermarket I started to realise how heavy my rucksack was but that was not the most important thing on my mind. Stopping to kit up I felt strange but also excited, we all joked around but I could tell that everyone was nervous about what we were about to do.
Then it was time to get serious we headed to our entrance point and the adrenalin was making my heart pump the blood around my body faster every step closer I got. As we entered the darkness a calming feeling came over me and I knew there was no turning back now my mind and body just accepted that I was not going to see daylight for at least seventeen hours. Pure darkness is strangely calming and combined with silence can be overwhelming. The entrance was tight and led onto a low tunnel which I learnt to refer to as a back breaker. This tunnel then led onto a junction where we proceeded down one of the standing height tunnels observing the array of graffiti sprawled on the walls. Then Paulo999 stopped and pointed to a doorway leading off into the darkness, down here is “Le Passe de Muraille.”
“Léon, a humble civil servant, has the unusual ability to walk through walls, however thick they are. One day, he falls madly in love with a charming English cat burglar. In order to impress her he decides he should be a become a better burglar than she...”
however gets trapped while walking through the wall
Paulo999 warns us that this section is flooded and I start to realise that the 30 pounds I spent on Waders was an incredibly good purchase as we proceed to step into water which reaches my thighs. We carry on for about 200 meters through the water. flooded tunnels lead off to god knows where all the way along and numbers corresponding to the house numbers on the street above adorn the walls all the way along. At the end we are confronted with a T junction on the right is a dead end as I look left I am confronted with one of the most surreal images my head has ever had to comprehend. A statue of a man coming though the wall lit up by my head lamp is a strange sight but also a beautiful one. I got my camera and tripod out and proceeded to photograph the statue while admiring the effort it must have taken for the unknown artists to create such a beautiful piece of art. We then head back and swap waders with the others so that they can witness the Passe de Muraille.
Little Elvis and I are left alone in the dark. As we sit and start to comprehend what we are doing I decide now is the time to turn the music on. I pressed play and we sat listening to music just thinking about what on earth we were doing 70 foot below Paris on a Saturday nigh. Both I and Little Elvis have explored many places but we both agreed this was the strangest experience ever. As we sit in the darkness we hear voices but not English then out of no where comes the sound of French rock music and past us strolls a continuous line of French cataphiles (the word used to describe the community of people who explore the catacombs). Many pass with a quick Bon Soir others stop and ask what an Englishman is doing under Paris. When we explain we are explorers from England and our sole reason for visiting the city of love is to go deep under it a look of respect and acceptance passes over their faces. Finally we see the torch light of the rest of our group returning.
And off we go again heading towards the room of the Ram. I start to realise how complicated navigation would be down in the Catacombs. I am completely disorientated after only a couple of minutes with our direction changing rapidly and junction after junction all looking the same. Finally we reach the room of the ram hot and sweaty from what I can only describe as a march. As we enter the room we are confronted with a makeshift table in the centre and seating around the edges. Only after sitting down and lighting candles does the room start to reveal itself to us. Sculptures of naked female bodies, mosaics of faces, and sculptures of faces and a ram adorn the walls of the room carved lovingly out of the limestone rock. We rest here and chill for about ten minutes as we re-hydrate and take photos of the room. Then the familiar sound of the French language wafts along the corridor and we know we will not be alone for long as a group of French people arrive. We exchange greeting then head off down the ever changing ever winding tunnels to our next target.
As we walked along the winding corridors I started to think about the quarry workers and how they would have worked by candle light down here and how hard it would have been. The work that was carried out by the IGC has hidden many sections of the original quarry with brick work which in itself is a stunning and at points is more interesting than the rooms with archways and ever changing styles of brickwork. We approach our next destination which is known as the room of the castle. In this room a small table sits in the middle with a chandelier hanging above it, around this are seats carved into the stone. The centre piece is a large scaled down model of a castle carved entirely of limestone. We set candles up around the room and in the castle to light it for photos. Once we have all taken our photos we go another 20 meters or so along a corridor into a room filled with plastic flowers. This is a shock to the system because the flowers look real with Ivy running down the walls. In the room is a warning sign which reads “Boston Parks and Recreation, Please Keep off the Plantings! Spring Bulbs are planted here”. This is surreal and it takes me a moment to realise that it is in English. I believe that this room was decorated by an American Cataphile.
Then off we go moving along the corridors until we reach a room decorated with a Plaque on the wall. The plaque reads:
Foxy
“A la Memoire de Decendue dans ces carrières en Octobre MCXCI Et Disparue XII Ans Apres Le III Mai MMIV”
Foxy was a photographer who was known and respected amongst the Cataphile community. She photographed nudes in the Catacombs and her pictures were famous. She died of Pancreatic cancer and as a memorial to her death a group of Cataphiles built her a room and dedicated it to her memory. I believe she would have very much liked this.
We then head along some more tunnels and I get the shock of my life as a dog comes running up to me equipped with its own torch. We turn the corner to find a room filled with French Cataphiles who we proceed to sit with and talk about exploring in France and England. Myself and the rest of our group were made to feel very welcome and even shared alcohol with our French exploring counterparts.
As we decide to depart towards what is known as the beach our new found friends lead us. We arrive to find the room filled to the brim with French people having a party. We decide that we have not got the time to stay and socialise and decide to head towards our next destination. So after a crawl we arrive at a room filled with lavish paintings and amazing carved structures, from the pillar in the centre of the room to the archway and the table that runs half the length of the room. Adorning the walls are paintings of mushrooms with large pieces of art such as Dali copies and a life size nude painting of a woman. We sit here and talk to our French friend about the more secretive sections of the catacombs and our exit.
After bidding our new found friends goodbye we head off in search of the famous burial chambers. After a couple of navigational errors we finally arrive. The entrance into the burial section is marked by the top of a human skull sitting atop a bit of rock. I have done many strange things in my life and seen some weird stuff however when confronted with no other option but to crawl in a tunnel only four foot high over human bones I found it hard. However I made myself do it and managed to distance myself from thinking about what I was actually doing. After photographing the bones it was time to leave and head towards our sleeping location for the night. “Anschluss” which is an old shelter. As we made our way towards Anschluss we came across one of the blockades put in place by officials to deter the exploration of the catacombs. We made our way another route but by this time we had been underground for almost 12 hours and tiredness was kicking in. We arrived at the access to Anschluss and climbed through a hole into the room of the Rats. During the 1980`s a group who called themselves the Rats used to explore the Catacombs. They painted this room as a dedication to their small group who still come down once or twice a year despite probably now being married with children and jobs etc…
We head towards the room we shall be sleeping for a couple of hours in which was in my opinion the nicest of all the rooms. We were honoured to share it that night with the man who has made it his business to fully refurbish the room. So far it has taken him two years and it is amazing, out of respect there is no graffiti. He has designed the room to be a social and a rest room with large seats all around and alcoves for people to sleep in. The centre piece to the room is a ladder leading 110 foot up a shaft to the surface, however the manhole cover that is at the top has now been covered with a statue (well I guess that’s one way to stop them). Here we put up our tents, yes tents. I felt surreal stringing up a tent 110 foot under the streets of Paris but at that point it seemed perfectly normal. We sat and talked to the French people who were in the room (who we had also met earlier), then decided it was time to get some rest. We got in our hammocks and covered ourselves in foil blankets then all slowly dozed off. I was awoken about an hour after that by snoring and the cold which had started to seep in. So I got up and went for a small walk. I only walked about 20 meters or so before I started to feel panicky, what would it be like to be lost down here, what if I got lost and my light failed. We had been told stories of this happening and I decided it best not to wander too far and headed back. As I arrived back in the room Paulo stirred and decided us two should go and check out his exit which he had heard about.
The Cataphiles pride themselves on finding stranger and more exciting ways to exit the catacombs. I had heard of people exiting through basements into shopping malls and shops, I had heard of people exiting onto the metro lines and into basements of car parks. I cannot reveal where we exited but I will tell you the journey there was one I shall never forget. At points we had to squeeze our bodies through holes in a super man fashion as our shoulders would not fit and we had to turn our heads to the side as the holes were not tall enough. Once me and Paulo had confirmed the exit was there and open we headed back to anschluss to grab the others and return to the exit.
Once we had walked out of the catacombs a sense of relieve and of exhaustion filled my body. My legs ached my face was dusty and what little hair I have was full of limestone bits. My clothes smelt and my body was covered in rapidly cooling sweat, my eyes hurt from the sunlight but I could not feel better. We walked into the sunlight squinting with onlookers staring some knowing exactly what we had been doing and some completely confused as to why we looked like we had just walked out of a cave in the centre of Paris. A feeling of almost superiority over the general public and smugness filled all of us as we walked towards the metro station and back home. As we walked I glanced down at a manhole cover and smiled. The catacombs have been a life experience and one I wish to repeat many times. I shall return soon, the catacombs are calling me.
During the Roman times Paris was built using the limestone found under the city and so the quarries were formed. Throughout the centuries following the Roman Empire the quarries grew and the networks of tunnels became more complicated and span an amazing 170 miles.
Then in 1786 the government under the orders of Monsieur Thiroux de Crosne, Lt. General of Police, and by Monsieur Guillaumot, Inspector General of Quarries decided that the quarries would be used as burial grounds during times of Plague and disease, where the cemeteries were filling up. Remains from the cemetery of Saint-Nicolas-des-Champs were among the first to be moved. Bodies of the dead from the riots in the Place de Greve, the Hotel de Brienne, and Rue Meslee were put in the catacombs on August 28 and 29, 1788.
The Catacombs has had many uses over the years including a base for the French Resistance during the Second World War. The Germans also established a bunker in the Catacombs and it is documented that the resistance and the Germans had a mutual respect while down in the Catacombs and never fired on each other.
In 1777 the IGC, Inspection générale des Carrières (General Inspection of the Quarries) was established. This was to combat the problems of collapse due to construction in Paris and subsidence. The IGC strengthened many of the tunnels and installed manhole entrances into the catacombs.
Entrance to the unofficial section of the catacombs is restricted and if caught people found will face a large fine and even jail. The risks involved are huge, including tight spaces, flooding and it would also be very easy for someone to get lost and die down there, it has happened.
As I sat on the train everything I had read on the Internet about the catacombs kept flashing through my head from Philibert Aspairt. Who was found 200 meters from an exit dead after getting lost down in the catacombs to the stories of all night parties and CataCops who patrol the Catacombs looking for explorers. Adrenalin pumped through my body along with fear the only word to describe my thoughts at that moment is disbelief at the task that lay ahead of me.
Arriving at Waterloo I met up with the other members of our team, Little Elvis, Zero, Calamity and our guide Paulo999 who would be taking his 4th trip into the depths of Paris. We passed through customs without a question of why we had caving equipment and were heading to Paris on a 24hour return ticket!!
As we stepped off the Eurostar after a hot couple of hours (air con was broken) my mind was buzzing. Looking around me I felt strange thinking about what was below us. We headed to the nearest restaurant to stock up on food and to use the facilities as these would be the last we saw in a while. Then onto the metro to our final stop, where we headed to a supermarche to pick up supplies.
As we left the supermarket I started to realise how heavy my rucksack was but that was not the most important thing on my mind. Stopping to kit up I felt strange but also excited, we all joked around but I could tell that everyone was nervous about what we were about to do.
Then it was time to get serious we headed to our entrance point and the adrenalin was making my heart pump the blood around my body faster every step closer I got. As we entered the darkness a calming feeling came over me and I knew there was no turning back now my mind and body just accepted that I was not going to see daylight for at least seventeen hours. Pure darkness is strangely calming and combined with silence can be overwhelming. The entrance was tight and led onto a low tunnel which I learnt to refer to as a back breaker. This tunnel then led onto a junction where we proceeded down one of the standing height tunnels observing the array of graffiti sprawled on the walls. Then Paulo999 stopped and pointed to a doorway leading off into the darkness, down here is “Le Passe de Muraille.”
“Léon, a humble civil servant, has the unusual ability to walk through walls, however thick they are. One day, he falls madly in love with a charming English cat burglar. In order to impress her he decides he should be a become a better burglar than she...”
however gets trapped while walking through the wall
Paulo999 warns us that this section is flooded and I start to realise that the 30 pounds I spent on Waders was an incredibly good purchase as we proceed to step into water which reaches my thighs. We carry on for about 200 meters through the water. flooded tunnels lead off to god knows where all the way along and numbers corresponding to the house numbers on the street above adorn the walls all the way along. At the end we are confronted with a T junction on the right is a dead end as I look left I am confronted with one of the most surreal images my head has ever had to comprehend. A statue of a man coming though the wall lit up by my head lamp is a strange sight but also a beautiful one. I got my camera and tripod out and proceeded to photograph the statue while admiring the effort it must have taken for the unknown artists to create such a beautiful piece of art. We then head back and swap waders with the others so that they can witness the Passe de Muraille.
Little Elvis and I are left alone in the dark. As we sit and start to comprehend what we are doing I decide now is the time to turn the music on. I pressed play and we sat listening to music just thinking about what on earth we were doing 70 foot below Paris on a Saturday nigh. Both I and Little Elvis have explored many places but we both agreed this was the strangest experience ever. As we sit in the darkness we hear voices but not English then out of no where comes the sound of French rock music and past us strolls a continuous line of French cataphiles (the word used to describe the community of people who explore the catacombs). Many pass with a quick Bon Soir others stop and ask what an Englishman is doing under Paris. When we explain we are explorers from England and our sole reason for visiting the city of love is to go deep under it a look of respect and acceptance passes over their faces. Finally we see the torch light of the rest of our group returning.
And off we go again heading towards the room of the Ram. I start to realise how complicated navigation would be down in the Catacombs. I am completely disorientated after only a couple of minutes with our direction changing rapidly and junction after junction all looking the same. Finally we reach the room of the ram hot and sweaty from what I can only describe as a march. As we enter the room we are confronted with a makeshift table in the centre and seating around the edges. Only after sitting down and lighting candles does the room start to reveal itself to us. Sculptures of naked female bodies, mosaics of faces, and sculptures of faces and a ram adorn the walls of the room carved lovingly out of the limestone rock. We rest here and chill for about ten minutes as we re-hydrate and take photos of the room. Then the familiar sound of the French language wafts along the corridor and we know we will not be alone for long as a group of French people arrive. We exchange greeting then head off down the ever changing ever winding tunnels to our next target.
As we walked along the winding corridors I started to think about the quarry workers and how they would have worked by candle light down here and how hard it would have been. The work that was carried out by the IGC has hidden many sections of the original quarry with brick work which in itself is a stunning and at points is more interesting than the rooms with archways and ever changing styles of brickwork. We approach our next destination which is known as the room of the castle. In this room a small table sits in the middle with a chandelier hanging above it, around this are seats carved into the stone. The centre piece is a large scaled down model of a castle carved entirely of limestone. We set candles up around the room and in the castle to light it for photos. Once we have all taken our photos we go another 20 meters or so along a corridor into a room filled with plastic flowers. This is a shock to the system because the flowers look real with Ivy running down the walls. In the room is a warning sign which reads “Boston Parks and Recreation, Please Keep off the Plantings! Spring Bulbs are planted here”. This is surreal and it takes me a moment to realise that it is in English. I believe that this room was decorated by an American Cataphile.
Then off we go moving along the corridors until we reach a room decorated with a Plaque on the wall. The plaque reads:
Foxy
“A la Memoire de Decendue dans ces carrières en Octobre MCXCI Et Disparue XII Ans Apres Le III Mai MMIV”
Foxy was a photographer who was known and respected amongst the Cataphile community. She photographed nudes in the Catacombs and her pictures were famous. She died of Pancreatic cancer and as a memorial to her death a group of Cataphiles built her a room and dedicated it to her memory. I believe she would have very much liked this.
We then head along some more tunnels and I get the shock of my life as a dog comes running up to me equipped with its own torch. We turn the corner to find a room filled with French Cataphiles who we proceed to sit with and talk about exploring in France and England. Myself and the rest of our group were made to feel very welcome and even shared alcohol with our French exploring counterparts.
As we decide to depart towards what is known as the beach our new found friends lead us. We arrive to find the room filled to the brim with French people having a party. We decide that we have not got the time to stay and socialise and decide to head towards our next destination. So after a crawl we arrive at a room filled with lavish paintings and amazing carved structures, from the pillar in the centre of the room to the archway and the table that runs half the length of the room. Adorning the walls are paintings of mushrooms with large pieces of art such as Dali copies and a life size nude painting of a woman. We sit here and talk to our French friend about the more secretive sections of the catacombs and our exit.
After bidding our new found friends goodbye we head off in search of the famous burial chambers. After a couple of navigational errors we finally arrive. The entrance into the burial section is marked by the top of a human skull sitting atop a bit of rock. I have done many strange things in my life and seen some weird stuff however when confronted with no other option but to crawl in a tunnel only four foot high over human bones I found it hard. However I made myself do it and managed to distance myself from thinking about what I was actually doing. After photographing the bones it was time to leave and head towards our sleeping location for the night. “Anschluss” which is an old shelter. As we made our way towards Anschluss we came across one of the blockades put in place by officials to deter the exploration of the catacombs. We made our way another route but by this time we had been underground for almost 12 hours and tiredness was kicking in. We arrived at the access to Anschluss and climbed through a hole into the room of the Rats. During the 1980`s a group who called themselves the Rats used to explore the Catacombs. They painted this room as a dedication to their small group who still come down once or twice a year despite probably now being married with children and jobs etc…
We head towards the room we shall be sleeping for a couple of hours in which was in my opinion the nicest of all the rooms. We were honoured to share it that night with the man who has made it his business to fully refurbish the room. So far it has taken him two years and it is amazing, out of respect there is no graffiti. He has designed the room to be a social and a rest room with large seats all around and alcoves for people to sleep in. The centre piece to the room is a ladder leading 110 foot up a shaft to the surface, however the manhole cover that is at the top has now been covered with a statue (well I guess that’s one way to stop them). Here we put up our tents, yes tents. I felt surreal stringing up a tent 110 foot under the streets of Paris but at that point it seemed perfectly normal. We sat and talked to the French people who were in the room (who we had also met earlier), then decided it was time to get some rest. We got in our hammocks and covered ourselves in foil blankets then all slowly dozed off. I was awoken about an hour after that by snoring and the cold which had started to seep in. So I got up and went for a small walk. I only walked about 20 meters or so before I started to feel panicky, what would it be like to be lost down here, what if I got lost and my light failed. We had been told stories of this happening and I decided it best not to wander too far and headed back. As I arrived back in the room Paulo stirred and decided us two should go and check out his exit which he had heard about.
The Cataphiles pride themselves on finding stranger and more exciting ways to exit the catacombs. I had heard of people exiting through basements into shopping malls and shops, I had heard of people exiting onto the metro lines and into basements of car parks. I cannot reveal where we exited but I will tell you the journey there was one I shall never forget. At points we had to squeeze our bodies through holes in a super man fashion as our shoulders would not fit and we had to turn our heads to the side as the holes were not tall enough. Once me and Paulo had confirmed the exit was there and open we headed back to anschluss to grab the others and return to the exit.
Once we had walked out of the catacombs a sense of relieve and of exhaustion filled my body. My legs ached my face was dusty and what little hair I have was full of limestone bits. My clothes smelt and my body was covered in rapidly cooling sweat, my eyes hurt from the sunlight but I could not feel better. We walked into the sunlight squinting with onlookers staring some knowing exactly what we had been doing and some completely confused as to why we looked like we had just walked out of a cave in the centre of Paris. A feeling of almost superiority over the general public and smugness filled all of us as we walked towards the metro station and back home. As we walked I glanced down at a manhole cover and smiled. The catacombs have been a life experience and one I wish to repeat many times. I shall return soon, the catacombs are calling me.
West Middlesex Hospital
Normansfield Hospital
Normansfield Hospital sits decaying in Kingston, unfortunatly vandles with paint have gained entry and the security has been stepped up and development has begun apart from that there are still some good features.
Millenium Mills Roof
Monkton Farleigh
Visited with various members from www.28dayslater.co.uk
nothing I can say can descrive the shear size of this place. Once a large quarry it was then used as an ammo store. Districts 19 and 20 sit derelict deep under the ground.
nothing I can say can descrive the shear size of this place. Once a large quarry it was then used as an ammo store. Districts 19 and 20 sit derelict deep under the ground.
Shoreham Cement Works
Shoreham Cement Works
This cement works sits derelict in a small sea side town called Shoreham by the Sea.
The site is huge with kilns over 100m long in the main mixing room. I visited this site with various members off of www.28dayslater.co.uk
Alias
This cement works sits derelict in a small sea side town called Shoreham by the Sea.
The site is huge with kilns over 100m long in the main mixing room. I visited this site with various members off of www.28dayslater.co.uk
Alias
Paddock Churchills secret bunker
Built at the start of the second world war the bunker was meant to house a secondary command and control center for whitehall should that be destroyed.
However due to its dampness and lack of facilities it was only ever used once.
I visited this on an official tour arranged and taken by Markr (thanks)
Alias
However due to its dampness and lack of facilities it was only ever used once.
I visited this on an official tour arranged and taken by Markr (thanks)
Alias
Fairfield Asylum
Visited with Disco Kitten and Paulo999
Wow this place was 90% converted but still held some real treasures inside its gothic walls. the sports hall, main hall and kitchen all still remained in all their glory on a scale and decor I have never witnessed before and feel privilaged to have seen.
Alias
Wow this place was 90% converted but still held some real treasures inside its gothic walls. the sports hall, main hall and kitchen all still remained in all their glory on a scale and decor I have never witnessed before and feel privilaged to have seen.
Alias
Sharoe Green hospital
Visited with The Riddlers, Zero, Disco Kitten and Radioman.
Sharoe Green is a large dominating victorian building. When we visited however the University as far as we knew were still inside the original building but the newer buildings were derelict left with everything inside.
Although the building itself lacked the character I love, the contents proved to be interesting including a morgue, operating theatres and X-Ray machines.
Thanks to Radioman for the guide
Alias
Sharoe Green is a large dominating victorian building. When we visited however the University as far as we knew were still inside the original building but the newer buildings were derelict left with everything inside.
Although the building itself lacked the character I love, the contents proved to be interesting including a morgue, operating theatres and X-Ray machines.
Thanks to Radioman for the guide
Alias
Fullers, La Porte Earth Works
Visited with The Riddlers and Little Elvis.
All we expected to find was a gas leak and some small buildings. What we found was a hidden industrial gem. With all equipment still in situ this earthworks turned kitty litter factory could well be turned back on tomorrow.
All we expected to find was a gas leak and some small buildings. What we found was a hidden industrial gem. With all equipment still in situ this earthworks turned kitty litter factory could well be turned back on tomorrow.
Whittingham Lunatic Asylum
Whittingham Hospital opened officially on 1st April 1893. Built to house around 2500 patients it was to be the largest area designated for the treatment of the Insane.
Visited with The Riddlers, Zero, Disco Kitten and Radioman.
We arrived and made our way over the fence and into the building only to be chased by.....
security, Police, A police alsasian and a police sniffer dog. (why on earth they were there I dont know).
So after running accross various rotten floors we made it outside and hid in the woods until the coast was clear and made our way inside. This place is HUGE. The tower which is an American style tower was our first target and had a very nice if not a bit wobbly spiral stair case running up the top half of it. Once on the roof the views were stunning.
We then made our way into the building and with excellent guidence from Radioman did a tour of all the main parts which include an american style tower. The intact main hall and various other parts of the hospital which vary in the amount of natural and unnatural decay.
Alias
Visited with The Riddlers, Zero, Disco Kitten and Radioman.
We arrived and made our way over the fence and into the building only to be chased by.....
security, Police, A police alsasian and a police sniffer dog. (why on earth they were there I dont know).
So after running accross various rotten floors we made it outside and hid in the woods until the coast was clear and made our way inside. This place is HUGE. The tower which is an American style tower was our first target and had a very nice if not a bit wobbly spiral stair case running up the top half of it. Once on the roof the views were stunning.
We then made our way into the building and with excellent guidence from Radioman did a tour of all the main parts which include an american style tower. The intact main hall and various other parts of the hospital which vary in the amount of natural and unnatural decay.
Alias
Countess of Chester, Deva Asylum
I visited this site with, The Riddlers, Disco Kitten, Zero and Snappel.
Deva Asylum sits derelict inside the grounds of the still active hospital, Countess of Chester having previously been used as part of the hospital.
We arrived late in the afternoon and made our way onto the site to be confronted by a large untouched beauty with some buildings dating back to 1839. We made our way into one of the Annex` and started to explore finding that it had been modernised however was still interesting.
We then made our way over to the large older part of the Asyum and made our way into the water tower. The tower consists of one long ladder going up to the top with no open windows at the top.
We headed down the stone spiral staircase into the main asylum building. Making our way along the old tiled corridoors we entered one of the wards. The ward was of the old style with open toilets with no cubicals and the rooms were small and cramped.
We then entered a corridoor of high security cells where we came accross the wierdest cell I have ever seen, painted black and yellow strips it had a very aggressive feel to it and made everyone feel uneasy.
We then decided to make a move as it was getting very late and we needed to find somewhere to sleep that night so we headed out only having explored a small amount. I will return and fully explore the site.
Alias
Deva Asylum sits derelict inside the grounds of the still active hospital, Countess of Chester having previously been used as part of the hospital.
We arrived late in the afternoon and made our way onto the site to be confronted by a large untouched beauty with some buildings dating back to 1839. We made our way into one of the Annex` and started to explore finding that it had been modernised however was still interesting.
We then made our way over to the large older part of the Asyum and made our way into the water tower. The tower consists of one long ladder going up to the top with no open windows at the top.
We headed down the stone spiral staircase into the main asylum building. Making our way along the old tiled corridoors we entered one of the wards. The ward was of the old style with open toilets with no cubicals and the rooms were small and cramped.
We then entered a corridoor of high security cells where we came accross the wierdest cell I have ever seen, painted black and yellow strips it had a very aggressive feel to it and made everyone feel uneasy.
We then decided to make a move as it was getting very late and we needed to find somewhere to sleep that night so we headed out only having explored a small amount. I will return and fully explore the site.
Alias
North Wales hospital, Denbigh
Visited with The Riddlers and Zero.
The Asylum was erected in 1848 and was the main asylum for the Northern counties of Wales.
After a cold night sleeping in the car we made our way into the Asylum at 7.30am and I was completely astounded by the architecture. We made our way around the Asylum parts are stripped and others remain as they were left.
We spent a good four hours exploring the asylum and did most of it albeit at speed. I would love to return but once again time constraints meant a fast but thorough visit.
Alias
The Asylum was erected in 1848 and was the main asylum for the Northern counties of Wales.
After a cold night sleeping in the car we made our way into the Asylum at 7.30am and I was completely astounded by the architecture. We made our way around the Asylum parts are stripped and others remain as they were left.
We spent a good four hours exploring the asylum and did most of it albeit at speed. I would love to return but once again time constraints meant a fast but thorough visit.
Alias
Crossley East Hospital
I visited this with The Riddlers, Disco Kitten and Zero.
Built in 1903 with funding from Sir William Crossley who ran a large motor buisness, this Hospital was built for the treatment of TB.
After finding the Hospital hidden away in the woods what we found was a forgotten beauty. The buildings overgrown with wildlife holds its grandeur and stands tall as if to say I will not move no matter what.
The hall sits damaged by damp but still holds the colours it was once painted with. Throughout the hospital the paint has peeled revealing the past colours which the Hospital had been painted.
We did not have a large amount of time to spend here and had to rus around as we were on a tight timescale. However we managed to see a large amount of the site including the morgue all be it through the ceiling.
Alias
Built in 1903 with funding from Sir William Crossley who ran a large motor buisness, this Hospital was built for the treatment of TB.
After finding the Hospital hidden away in the woods what we found was a forgotten beauty. The buildings overgrown with wildlife holds its grandeur and stands tall as if to say I will not move no matter what.
The hall sits damaged by damp but still holds the colours it was once painted with. Throughout the hospital the paint has peeled revealing the past colours which the Hospital had been painted.
We did not have a large amount of time to spend here and had to rus around as we were on a tight timescale. However we managed to see a large amount of the site including the morgue all be it through the ceiling.
Alias
The Observer building (Hastings)
This used to house the print works for one of the leading newspapers in the south. Now it lies derelict and forgotton. There is a petition to save the building as developers try to tighten their grip on it.
I visited here with Little Elvis.
On arrival we found our way into the basement which consists of old victorian arches cut into the bed rock. The building consists of seven floors, all equipment has been stripped but the building still holds some interesting features and retains its beauty even today over 150 years since it was built.
Alias
I visited here with Little Elvis.
On arrival we found our way into the basement which consists of old victorian arches cut into the bed rock. The building consists of seven floors, all equipment has been stripped but the building still holds some interesting features and retains its beauty even today over 150 years since it was built.
Alias
Cane Hill Lunatic Asylum
Designed and built by Howell Cane hill sits atop a lone hill in Coulsden. It is the third London County asylum and is the most famous of all the asylums left in England.
I have walked the perimeter of Cane Hill many times and had become infactuated with getting inside but it was proving to be harder than i anticipated with top notch security and police dog training on certain days, but we finally got in.
Cane Hill has always had its place at the top of the Urban Exploration target plinth. No one can really explain why, it just has a draw to it. Sitting atop of a hill in the quant not quiet London town of Caulsden the clock tower atop admin pokes out from the top of the trees like some kind of mystical building from a Hitchcock movie. As you approach the site you are greated with a daunting fence and the sound of dogs barking. Damn should have brought some sausages I think to myself as the morning dew seeps into my trousers, its 3am on a cold morning and I am stood contemplating how to get past the fence. The next minute I am in and my heart is pounding I make my way to one of the wards where I set myself up and grab a couple of hours kip on an old ward bed, I am surprisingly calm considering I am sleeping within a derelict asylum. My mind wanders thinking about all the patients that used to roam the corridors and even the room I am sleeping within. I wake and set my camera up, as I move through the wards I begin to realise why this asylum has such a stigma attatched to it, every corridor intertwines with another you become swallowed within its walls loosing all sense of location, I can understand why people begin to go even more mad while living within these walls.
The architecture still pokes its head through the peeling paint and moss which now inhabits the buildings. I make my way through the wards and the morning sun stretches its fingers through the windows spreading out across the buildings and drawing the colors out of the walls. I make my way towards the chapel my main target, as I round the corner the red bricks shine like a new building shines revealing the awesome architecture that lies hidden from the outside and the public and before me stands the chapel as splendid as the day it was built. My visit is almost over I now I head back making stops at the mortuary, the Asylum shop and various wards before making my way out, as I leave I realise that although its an intimidating collection of buildings they do provide a haven of calm.
Alias
I have walked the perimeter of Cane Hill many times and had become infactuated with getting inside but it was proving to be harder than i anticipated with top notch security and police dog training on certain days, but we finally got in.
Cane Hill has always had its place at the top of the Urban Exploration target plinth. No one can really explain why, it just has a draw to it. Sitting atop of a hill in the quant not quiet London town of Caulsden the clock tower atop admin pokes out from the top of the trees like some kind of mystical building from a Hitchcock movie. As you approach the site you are greated with a daunting fence and the sound of dogs barking. Damn should have brought some sausages I think to myself as the morning dew seeps into my trousers, its 3am on a cold morning and I am stood contemplating how to get past the fence. The next minute I am in and my heart is pounding I make my way to one of the wards where I set myself up and grab a couple of hours kip on an old ward bed, I am surprisingly calm considering I am sleeping within a derelict asylum. My mind wanders thinking about all the patients that used to roam the corridors and even the room I am sleeping within. I wake and set my camera up, as I move through the wards I begin to realise why this asylum has such a stigma attatched to it, every corridor intertwines with another you become swallowed within its walls loosing all sense of location, I can understand why people begin to go even more mad while living within these walls.
The architecture still pokes its head through the peeling paint and moss which now inhabits the buildings. I make my way through the wards and the morning sun stretches its fingers through the windows spreading out across the buildings and drawing the colors out of the walls. I make my way towards the chapel my main target, as I round the corner the red bricks shine like a new building shines revealing the awesome architecture that lies hidden from the outside and the public and before me stands the chapel as splendid as the day it was built. My visit is almost over I now I head back making stops at the mortuary, the Asylum shop and various wards before making my way out, as I leave I realise that although its an intimidating collection of buildings they do provide a haven of calm.
Alias
Chinnor Cement Works
I visited this site with Little Elvis.
As we drove towards Chinnor we were not prepared for what arrived in our view with the chimney towering out of the landscape. We went to park the car only to find a steam train demonstation oops lol(right next to the cement works).
So we decided to go round the back. After a long walk we decided to take a look at the quarry which was huge and had turquiose water at the bottom. We then headed through the tunnel towards the main cement works.
The sheer size of this site is what stunned me. Donning respirators(needed due to large amounts of cement dust) we entered the site. WOW is all I can say about this site. We spent a good five hours exploring and only just managed to cover the whole site. I will let the pictures speak for themselves:
Enjoy.....
As we drove towards Chinnor we were not prepared for what arrived in our view with the chimney towering out of the landscape. We went to park the car only to find a steam train demonstation oops lol(right next to the cement works).
So we decided to go round the back. After a long walk we decided to take a look at the quarry which was huge and had turquiose water at the bottom. We then headed through the tunnel towards the main cement works.
The sheer size of this site is what stunned me. Donning respirators(needed due to large amounts of cement dust) we entered the site. WOW is all I can say about this site. We spent a good five hours exploring and only just managed to cover the whole site. I will let the pictures speak for themselves:
Enjoy.....
Fairmile Asylum
Fairmile Asylum is the only asylum where CH Howell and GT Hine came together to design an asylum together.
openedin 1870 and closed in March 2003 Fairmile Asylum held up to 1400 patients.
Wow what a day. Visited with The Riddlers and Little Elvis.
We arrived in the morning and made our way onto the grounds to be confronted by an amazing array of buildings, mixing the new with the old and mixing the building designs of Hine and Howell together in harmony.
Then the white van appeared and we bolted, only to return and scout around the perimiter fence to find cctv covering the whole grounds, so after watching it and working out where they were facing at what time(the cameras move on a 360 axis) we found a window of 10 seconds and we were inside the fence. Found an entrance through a window and went in. After taking in the fact that we were the first people in there in 20 years apart from possibly security we started to explore. For some reason the rooms were painted in crazy colours which shocked us.
Off to the main hall which from outside looked amazing however inside was a bit too modern for my liking but was still stunning. Here we took the time to congratulate ourselves for getting in there.
Heading upstairs we made our way through the wards then we found the clock tower. Up we went only to find a load of asbestos and an electrical clock mechanism.
We then headed back through the corridoors and into the nicest ward I have ever seen with amazing wooden paneling however we were then greeted by a loudspeaker which informed us :
"Please stay where you are, security has been called and will be there shortly, please remain where you are"
So we stayed there..... like fuck we did we bolted so fast with me being thrown out the window first and the other two following. We decided to leave fairmile for this time and return later to do the rest. so there will be an update. Please excuse the quality of photos as you can imagine I did not have time to set the photos up properly.
Alias
openedin 1870 and closed in March 2003 Fairmile Asylum held up to 1400 patients.
Wow what a day. Visited with The Riddlers and Little Elvis.
We arrived in the morning and made our way onto the grounds to be confronted by an amazing array of buildings, mixing the new with the old and mixing the building designs of Hine and Howell together in harmony.
Then the white van appeared and we bolted, only to return and scout around the perimiter fence to find cctv covering the whole grounds, so after watching it and working out where they were facing at what time(the cameras move on a 360 axis) we found a window of 10 seconds and we were inside the fence. Found an entrance through a window and went in. After taking in the fact that we were the first people in there in 20 years apart from possibly security we started to explore. For some reason the rooms were painted in crazy colours which shocked us.
Off to the main hall which from outside looked amazing however inside was a bit too modern for my liking but was still stunning. Here we took the time to congratulate ourselves for getting in there.
Heading upstairs we made our way through the wards then we found the clock tower. Up we went only to find a load of asbestos and an electrical clock mechanism.
We then headed back through the corridoors and into the nicest ward I have ever seen with amazing wooden paneling however we were then greeted by a loudspeaker which informed us :
"Please stay where you are, security has been called and will be there shortly, please remain where you are"
So we stayed there..... like fuck we did we bolted so fast with me being thrown out the window first and the other two following. We decided to leave fairmile for this time and return later to do the rest. so there will be an update. Please excuse the quality of photos as you can imagine I did not have time to set the photos up properly.
Alias
Buckston Brown Animal Research Facility
Not much is known about this location other than it was used as an animal research facility.
I visited this abandoned Animal Testing facility on a cold Wednesday Afternoon with The Riddlers. The site is small and untouched by anything other than nature, this has left the facility to decompose in a natural way. Throughout the facility stalagtites have formed from the constant dripping water.
I found this location to be very upsetting. The cages and the various labels throughout the labs gave an insight into what happened at this location. I will let the pictures speak for themselves.
Alias
I visited this abandoned Animal Testing facility on a cold Wednesday Afternoon with The Riddlers. The site is small and untouched by anything other than nature, this has left the facility to decompose in a natural way. Throughout the facility stalagtites have formed from the constant dripping water.
I found this location to be very upsetting. The cages and the various labels throughout the labs gave an insight into what happened at this location. I will let the pictures speak for themselves.
Alias
Underground
During World War two Dover was seen as the firt line of defence for England and the coast was transformed into a series of underground bunkers, shelters and command stations. These were all dug into the chalk along the White Cliffs of dover and were invisible to the skys.
I have visited various of the bunkers, shelters and Plotting Rooms in dover with members of 28dayslater and Noddy who gave us a tour on two seperate occasions.
i have also visited other sites and other Bunkers. I shall be adding to this collection. Please select the thumbnail to be told where it is based
I have visited various of the bunkers, shelters and Plotting Rooms in dover with members of 28dayslater and Noddy who gave us a tour on two seperate occasions.
i have also visited other sites and other Bunkers. I shall be adding to this collection. Please select the thumbnail to be told where it is based
Guinness Brewery, Park Royal
Park Royal Guinness Brewery
The Brewery was built in 1933. The Brewery was designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott who also designed the Battersea Power Station.
With a capacity of 2.6 Million hl it was one of the larger breweries supplying Europe with a seeming less endless supply of Guinness needed to sustain London. The Brewery was made up of 3 large main buildings and many smaller ones including a power station. The site covers an area of one hundred acres. However in the Summer of 2005 the final machinery was turned off and the Brewery was left silent for the first time in almost 65 years.
Heading off at 7.15am I picked Little Elvis and headed up to London. After losing our bearings and failing to spot the Brewery. Finally found it and Headed in.
First Building we entered was the labs, there was so much equipment left there. We then made our way into some of the other buildings checking out the vast amounts of equipment. Then we entered a stripped bare of all vats and boilers. I then once again had to face my fear of heights again and venture up the stairs. Meeting up with The Riddlers, Sick and Zippy we had a chat and then headed off with Zippy to explore some more. Making our way up onto the roof we took in the stunning view albeit a bit wet.
We then went to meet up with Oxygen Thief, Wooble, Batman and Stumpy who had made an interesting find, a cabinet full to the brim with Smirnoff Vodka, so off we went to try and find it, and find it we did. Reception was very art deco but very exposed to security.
Then we explored some more Large equipment including the Fermenting rooms.
Then off to the Power Plant and boy were we in for a treat. The power plant was full of equipment which came from all ages from early twentieth century to late.
After Little Elvis did his climb up high thing we decided to end our trip there and make a move out of there after a look at the buildings from the other side of the road we realised that England is losing one of its industrial landmarks.
Alias.
The Brewery was built in 1933. The Brewery was designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott who also designed the Battersea Power Station.
With a capacity of 2.6 Million hl it was one of the larger breweries supplying Europe with a seeming less endless supply of Guinness needed to sustain London. The Brewery was made up of 3 large main buildings and many smaller ones including a power station. The site covers an area of one hundred acres. However in the Summer of 2005 the final machinery was turned off and the Brewery was left silent for the first time in almost 65 years.
Heading off at 7.15am I picked Little Elvis and headed up to London. After losing our bearings and failing to spot the Brewery. Finally found it and Headed in.
First Building we entered was the labs, there was so much equipment left there. We then made our way into some of the other buildings checking out the vast amounts of equipment. Then we entered a stripped bare of all vats and boilers. I then once again had to face my fear of heights again and venture up the stairs. Meeting up with The Riddlers, Sick and Zippy we had a chat and then headed off with Zippy to explore some more. Making our way up onto the roof we took in the stunning view albeit a bit wet.
We then went to meet up with Oxygen Thief, Wooble, Batman and Stumpy who had made an interesting find, a cabinet full to the brim with Smirnoff Vodka, so off we went to try and find it, and find it we did. Reception was very art deco but very exposed to security.
Then we explored some more Large equipment including the Fermenting rooms.
Then off to the Power Plant and boy were we in for a treat. The power plant was full of equipment which came from all ages from early twentieth century to late.
After Little Elvis did his climb up high thing we decided to end our trip there and make a move out of there after a look at the buildings from the other side of the road we realised that England is losing one of its industrial landmarks.
Alias.
Portsdown Main military reserarch facility
Portsdown Main is an impressive 'art deco' style building which dominates the north Portsmouth skyline and is familiar to any Portsmouth resident who would probably identify it as ASWE.
It was designed in the 1930s (hence its style) as a building which would be located somewhere in the UK. The Second World War prevented further progress and it was eventually built on Portsdown in 1952 as an Admiralty Research Establishment (ARE). It has been subjected to many changes during its lifetime either wholesale or with various departments coming and going. The primary changes can be summarised as:
1952 - Admiralty Research Establishment (ARE)
Admiralty Surface Weapons Establishment (ASWE)
Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA)
Defence Research Agency (DRA) - 1997
Portsdown Main finally closed its gates on 1 January 1997 and although there have been a number of Government departments interested in the site none have any plans to move there. On 3 October 2002 it was announced that the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) - formed by splitting DERA into DSTL and QinetiQ on 2 July 2001 - was going to move back, but this was cancelled in April 2004. It is now for sale on the open market by King Sturge the international property consultants.
I visited Portsdown Main on a very cold Saturday Morning with Markr, Lillimouse and Little Elvis. We walked around two miles before we found our way into the location.
The buildings here became derelict in 1997 so have not been subjected to damp and vandals,. Also they are embedded between two live MOD sites so I believe this has prevented people from going in here. The first place we entered was the Workshop, and my jaw hit the floor, it was huge. The cranes were all still in place and even a workman’s hat was positioned as though he had just gone out for a cuppa. We had a look around finding towels and clothes still hung up in the changing room.
The next building was the main building which can be viewed for miles around. We entered the quadrangle in the centre and tried to find an entry point. The only thing we could see was a fire escape leading to the roof, so up we went. My god I hate heights. Once inside though the building was completely intact.
Walking through the building I could understand why people would want to work there. The views over Portsmouth were amazing. We made our way round and then we were faced with a stunning example of an art deco style stair case. Down we went checking everything out on the way until we reached the basement. Here we found the service tunnels so… on with the respirator and off we went finding tunnels leading everywhere….
Once we had finished underground it was time to check the canteen out. So over we went up onto the roof through the door and we were in. Why is it that all the places I explore seem to have Christmas Decorations up????? Anyone????
We then decided that we had done enough and left had a picnic in the field behind and headed off.
Alias
It was designed in the 1930s (hence its style) as a building which would be located somewhere in the UK. The Second World War prevented further progress and it was eventually built on Portsdown in 1952 as an Admiralty Research Establishment (ARE). It has been subjected to many changes during its lifetime either wholesale or with various departments coming and going. The primary changes can be summarised as:
1952 - Admiralty Research Establishment (ARE)
Admiralty Surface Weapons Establishment (ASWE)
Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA)
Defence Research Agency (DRA) - 1997
Portsdown Main finally closed its gates on 1 January 1997 and although there have been a number of Government departments interested in the site none have any plans to move there. On 3 October 2002 it was announced that the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) - formed by splitting DERA into DSTL and QinetiQ on 2 July 2001 - was going to move back, but this was cancelled in April 2004. It is now for sale on the open market by King Sturge the international property consultants.
I visited Portsdown Main on a very cold Saturday Morning with Markr, Lillimouse and Little Elvis. We walked around two miles before we found our way into the location.
The buildings here became derelict in 1997 so have not been subjected to damp and vandals,. Also they are embedded between two live MOD sites so I believe this has prevented people from going in here. The first place we entered was the Workshop, and my jaw hit the floor, it was huge. The cranes were all still in place and even a workman’s hat was positioned as though he had just gone out for a cuppa. We had a look around finding towels and clothes still hung up in the changing room.
The next building was the main building which can be viewed for miles around. We entered the quadrangle in the centre and tried to find an entry point. The only thing we could see was a fire escape leading to the roof, so up we went. My god I hate heights. Once inside though the building was completely intact.
Walking through the building I could understand why people would want to work there. The views over Portsmouth were amazing. We made our way round and then we were faced with a stunning example of an art deco style stair case. Down we went checking everything out on the way until we reached the basement. Here we found the service tunnels so… on with the respirator and off we went finding tunnels leading everywhere….
Once we had finished underground it was time to check the canteen out. So over we went up onto the roof through the door and we were in. Why is it that all the places I explore seem to have Christmas Decorations up????? Anyone????
We then decided that we had done enough and left had a picnic in the field behind and headed off.
Alias
Leybourne Grange Colony
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)
Alias
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)
Alias
Severalls Lunatic Asylum
Severalls Lunatic Asylum is classed as the Essex Second County Asylum.
Opened in May 1913
Closed in 1997
Severalls was the second of two large Essex asylums with Warley being the first it housed up to 3000 and is one of the largest remaining derelict asylums, Although completely stripped of all equipment it still retains its beauty.
Severalls has also suffered various Arson Attacks including the main hall and an attempt on Admin.
I visited Severalls with Little Elvis. This was both of our first times to this asylum and boy were we in for a treat. First we had to find it though lol. Once we located the asylum and parked up entry was easy, through a hole in the fence and we were in. Immediately we were greeted by the sheer size of the place with buildings as far as we could see.
Severalls insides have been gutted leaving bare walls and empty corridors, this makes every sound echo for around ten seconds (it did not help that I had a cough). We explored many rooms finding some baths still in place and crap graffiti everywhere.
As we approached the hall which has been subject to an arson attack we found that all entry had been blocked. Climbing into the tiny projector booth we looked through the holes to be greeted by a charred skeleton of a hall. Entry seemed to be off the cards well we did finally gain entry as the door was open lol.
We headed towards the tower checking everything out on the way. As we approached the tower the sheer size of it made me feel dizzy. We sat and had lunch at the base got organised and then went to tackle it. Climbing was easy with reasonably sturdy stairs leading to the top. My fear of heights kicked in and I had to take it slowly. However it was worth it because even from where I was crouched clutching for dear life the view was stunning.
After returning from the top of the tower we made our way to the boiler room and other works areas. All the equipment was still there as it was when the workers left and is rather photogenic.
I have returned now to Severalls Asylum and have added some more pictures of the corridoors and the Boiler house. I have also added pictures of the Chapel.
Alias
Opened in May 1913
Closed in 1997
Severalls was the second of two large Essex asylums with Warley being the first it housed up to 3000 and is one of the largest remaining derelict asylums, Although completely stripped of all equipment it still retains its beauty.
Severalls has also suffered various Arson Attacks including the main hall and an attempt on Admin.
I visited Severalls with Little Elvis. This was both of our first times to this asylum and boy were we in for a treat. First we had to find it though lol. Once we located the asylum and parked up entry was easy, through a hole in the fence and we were in. Immediately we were greeted by the sheer size of the place with buildings as far as we could see.
Severalls insides have been gutted leaving bare walls and empty corridors, this makes every sound echo for around ten seconds (it did not help that I had a cough). We explored many rooms finding some baths still in place and crap graffiti everywhere.
As we approached the hall which has been subject to an arson attack we found that all entry had been blocked. Climbing into the tiny projector booth we looked through the holes to be greeted by a charred skeleton of a hall. Entry seemed to be off the cards well we did finally gain entry as the door was open lol.
We headed towards the tower checking everything out on the way. As we approached the tower the sheer size of it made me feel dizzy. We sat and had lunch at the base got organised and then went to tackle it. Climbing was easy with reasonably sturdy stairs leading to the top. My fear of heights kicked in and I had to take it slowly. However it was worth it because even from where I was crouched clutching for dear life the view was stunning.
After returning from the top of the tower we made our way to the boiler room and other works areas. All the equipment was still there as it was when the workers left and is rather photogenic.
I have returned now to Severalls Asylum and have added some more pictures of the corridoors and the Boiler house. I have also added pictures of the Chapel.
Alias
West Park Lunatic Asylum
Referred to by David Cochrane as "the eleventh and the last great asylum built for London's insane" West Park Asylum sits derelict between Epsom and Horton. built by William C Clifford Smith between 1912 and 1921 the asylum is of the Villa Design with an impressive admin block at the front and two storey wards coming off the sides in an almost symmetrical way one side female and one side male. At one time the Asylum housed 2045 patients.
The Site became completely closed apart from a small section at the rear in 2003 after around 5 years of running down.
I first visited West Park when I was around the age of 14. The asylum at this time was not vandalised or decaying in any way, however my memory of this is not very good.
I then returned in November 2005 with various people from www.28dayslater.co.uk. The trip was a tranquil one which is the only way I can describe how I felt that day. the whole of the grounds were overgrown and there was a feeling of calm and relaxation.
We entered the Grounds and were immediately stunned by how the buildings looked. They were stunning and you could still make out how they would have looked before nature had reclaimed them. Each building had a different decor and set out, with some being more modern than others. However each ward had a surprising amount of equipment still there. As we looked around the wards we started to discover patients personal belongings hidden away in rooms, such as scrap books, photos and even their patient notes.
The main hall was my main aim for the trip and once we reached our goal I stood for a minute and took it in. The remains after the arson attack look like some weird art project. The roof is non existent and bits of timber swing precariously from tiny nails. Despite the arson the beauty still shines through the black burnt wood and you can imagine what it would have been like before.
The projector room was our next target with a nice walkway made from broken planks we made our way across. Inside stood two large 1920`s projectors ready to show the matinee film to the patients. As we headed off to another ward we walked through the long almost never ending walkways which join the whole hospital together meaning you never need to go outside into the outside world. We then reached another ward and found a room full of old clothes and belongings including the West Park Hospital Cheque book. Then further along hidden away in a back corridor we came across an innocent looking door which opened up to a padded cell. The atmosphere surrounding the cell was an eerie one with one of my friends finding it hard to take in but then again the same can be said of many areas of an asylum.
The rest of west park is a tranquil place where nature has reclaimed the buildings with ivy growing up the walls and into the windows and grass growing out the floor. Rabbits and foxes roam freely along the corridors and owls swoop down in the hall. Three deer have been spotted and startle explorers outside the admin block on regular occasions.
I have returned to West Park seven times and each time I have found something new. My collection of photos are a document to one of the most amazing places ever to be built and forgotten. West Park has now been sold and looks like it may be converted in the very near future. Security has been stepped up and access is near enough impossible ;).
Alias
The Site became completely closed apart from a small section at the rear in 2003 after around 5 years of running down.
I first visited West Park when I was around the age of 14. The asylum at this time was not vandalised or decaying in any way, however my memory of this is not very good.
I then returned in November 2005 with various people from www.28dayslater.co.uk. The trip was a tranquil one which is the only way I can describe how I felt that day. the whole of the grounds were overgrown and there was a feeling of calm and relaxation.
We entered the Grounds and were immediately stunned by how the buildings looked. They were stunning and you could still make out how they would have looked before nature had reclaimed them. Each building had a different decor and set out, with some being more modern than others. However each ward had a surprising amount of equipment still there. As we looked around the wards we started to discover patients personal belongings hidden away in rooms, such as scrap books, photos and even their patient notes.
The main hall was my main aim for the trip and once we reached our goal I stood for a minute and took it in. The remains after the arson attack look like some weird art project. The roof is non existent and bits of timber swing precariously from tiny nails. Despite the arson the beauty still shines through the black burnt wood and you can imagine what it would have been like before.
The projector room was our next target with a nice walkway made from broken planks we made our way across. Inside stood two large 1920`s projectors ready to show the matinee film to the patients. As we headed off to another ward we walked through the long almost never ending walkways which join the whole hospital together meaning you never need to go outside into the outside world. We then reached another ward and found a room full of old clothes and belongings including the West Park Hospital Cheque book. Then further along hidden away in a back corridor we came across an innocent looking door which opened up to a padded cell. The atmosphere surrounding the cell was an eerie one with one of my friends finding it hard to take in but then again the same can be said of many areas of an asylum.
The rest of west park is a tranquil place where nature has reclaimed the buildings with ivy growing up the walls and into the windows and grass growing out the floor. Rabbits and foxes roam freely along the corridors and owls swoop down in the hall. Three deer have been spotted and startle explorers outside the admin block on regular occasions.
I have returned to West Park seven times and each time I have found something new. My collection of photos are a document to one of the most amazing places ever to be built and forgotten. West Park has now been sold and looks like it may be converted in the very near future. Security has been stepped up and access is near enough impossible ;).
Alias