Urban Exploring 03/04/2010 - Abandoned mental hospital and elderly folks home - General

Yesterday I went Urban exploring for the first time with some friends, and it was pretty awesome. First of all, if you don't know what Urban Exploration, here's the definition: [quote] Urban exploration (often shortened as urbex or UE) is the examination of the normally unseen or off-limits parts of urban areas or industrial facilities.[1] Urban exploration is also commonly referred to as infiltration, although some people consider infiltration to be more closely associated with the exploration of active or inhabited sites. It may also be referred to as "draining" (when exploring drains) "urban spelunking", "urban caving", or "building hacking". The nature of this activity presents various risks, including both physical danger and the possibility of arrest and punishment. Many, but not all, of the activities associated with urban exploration could be considered trespassing or other violations of local or regional laws, including - but not limited to - invasion of privacy and certain broadly interpreted anti-terrorism laws.[2][/quote] [b][u]Normansfield Mental Hospital[/u][/b] The first place we went to was Normansfield Hospital: In 1868 John Langdon Down set up his own private home for the "mentally subnormal" at Normansfield, between Hampton Wick and Teddington. His sons Reginald and Percival both qualified in medicine at the London Hospital, joined their father and became responsible for it after his death in 1896. Langdon down is most known for his work in the care and treatment of those sufferers of downs syndrome. Normansfield closed in 1997 I think, and has been left to vandals and graffers ever since. It surprised me how run down the place got, from earlier reports from other explorers it seemed to be in good condition, I am assuming it has gotten like this due to the roof collapsing in and the bad weather here in Britain recently. Anyway, onto the photos(for your viewing aid I am using the scaled down photos from Facebook, I have also cut down the number of images in here so it isn't a clusterfuck): Once we had found a way to get in over the fence we stumbled through the overgrowth and finally reached the hospital: [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs491.snc3/26843_1255457748263_1284176537_30572089_5951823_n.jpg[/img] [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs511.snc3/26843_1255457828265_1284176537_30572091_5028550_n.jpg[/img] We then came through an open window into this shitty looking room. [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs491.snc3/26843_1255457948268_1284176537_30572094_5605312_n.jpg[/img] Once we were in we explored a little. [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs491.snc3/26843_1255458028270_1284176537_30572096_2590482_n.jpg[/img] [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs491.snc3/26843_1255458108272_1284176537_30572097_5984654_n.jpg[/img] [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs511.snc3/26843_1255458188274_1284176537_30572098_6348138_n.jpg[/img] [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs511.snc3/26843_1255458228275_1284176537_30572099_2232977_n.jpg[/img] [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs491.snc3/26843_1255458548283_1284176537_30572107_7878727_n.jpg[/img] [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs491.snc3/26843_1255458708287_1284176537_30572110_6945087_n.jpg[/img] The walls were filled with amazing graffiti, such as this master-eice [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs491.snc3/26843_1255458748288_1284176537_30572111_6458928_n.jpg[/img] [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs491.snc3/26843_1255458788289_1284176537_30572112_6029200_n.jpg[/img] [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs491.snc3/26843_1255458828290_1284176537_30572113_4051000_n.jpg[/img] [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs511.snc3/26843_1255458948293_1284176537_30572115_1716895_n.jpg[/img] [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs491.snc3/26843_1255459068296_1284176537_30572118_6069220_n.jpg[/img] [b]Just to show how dark it was, this is with my flash:[/b] [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs511.snc3/26843_1255459188299_1284176537_30572121_4701020_n.jpg[/img] [b]This is without:[/b] [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs511.snc3/26843_1255459228300_1284176537_30572122_401850_n.jpg[/img] [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs491.snc3/26843_1255459388304_1284176537_30572125_5797556_n.jpg[/img] [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs511.snc3/26843_1255459548308_1284176537_30572129_7955181_n.jpg[/img] [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs491.snc3/26843_1255459588309_1284176537_30572130_1973631_n.jpg[/img] Sadly my other friend was a pussy and was worried about falling through the second floor(even though there was a basement below us so it was the same effect), so we didn't go up there. [u][b]The Avenue[/b][/u] We weren't originally planning on going to any other place, but we spotted this gem right near the hospital. From what I know The Avenue(the place we went to after), is an abandoned elderly folks home, and it seems pretty recently abandoned. Anyway, photos: [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs511.snc3/26843_1255463668411_1284176537_30572136_96198_n.jpg[img] We first went into the boiler room but there wasn't that much there. [url]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs491.snc3/26843_1255463788414_1284176537_30572139_319381_n.jpg[/url] [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs511.snc3/26843_1255463828415_1284176537_30572140_6390672_n.jpg[/img] We then climbed through a window into the kitchen. [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs511.snc3/26843_1255463868416_1284176537_30572141_7764560_n.jpg[/img] [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs511.snc3/26843_1255463908417_1284176537_30572142_8219939_n.jpg[/img] [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs511.snc3/26843_1255463948418_1284176537_30572143_3472847_n.jpg[/img] [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs491.snc3/26843_1255464028420_1284176537_30572145_5297926_n.jpg[/img] We then fucked around on some office chairs and looked around the place. [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs491.snc3/26843_1255464068421_1284176537_30572146_930788_n.jpg[/img] We found some kind of workshop. [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs491.snc3/26843_1255464108422_1284176537_30572147_3797387_n.jpg [/img] [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs511.snc3/26843_1255464148423_1284176537_30572148_6853993_n.jpg[/img] I found it creepy that some of the old folks artwork was still here. [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs511.snc3/26843_1255464188424_1284176537_30572149_8264467_n.jpg[/img] [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs491.snc3/26843_1255464228425_1284176537_30572150_6353139_n.jpg[/img] This bit really ped me out, who the fuck is 'Mariah the princess'? [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs491.snc3/26843_1255464268426_1284176537_30572151_7136103_n.jpg[/img] [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs491.snc3/26843_1255464348428_1284176537_30572152_361714_n.jpg[/img] [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs491.snc3/26843_1255464388429_1284176537_30572153_1458495_n.jpg[/img] [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs511.snc3/26843_1255464428430_1284176537_30572154_8385880_n.jpg[/img] [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs511.snc3/26843_1255464508432_1284176537_30572156_4680357_n.jpg[/img] This was one of the most weird finds, if you look closely you can see all photos of the old folk who inhabited this place. [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs511.snc3/26843_1255464548433_1284176537_30572157_7098333_n.jpg[/img] I guess someone ate too much curry. :v: I hate to think how long that shit has been there. [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs491.snc3/26843_1255464668436_1284176537_30572159_7307691_n.jpg[/img] One thing that confused me is that there were tins of dog food EVERYWHERE in the fucking building. [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs511.snc3/26843_1255464748438_1284176537_30572160_4997212_n.jpg[/img] [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs491.snc3/26843_1255464948443_1284176537_30572165_7731014_n.jpg[/img] [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs491.snc3/26843_1255464988444_1284176537_30572166_1225649_n.jpg[/img] [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs511.snc3/26843_1255465148448_1284176537_30572169_919146_n.jpg[/img] [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs491.snc3/26843_1255465188449_1284176537_30572170_2771957_n.jpg[/img] There was some interesting shit round back too. [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs491.snc3/26843_1255465228450_1284176537_30572171_6941508_n.jpg[/img] [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs491.snc3/26843_1255465348453_1284176537_30572173_3737009_n.jpg[/img] [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs511.snc3/26843_1255465388454_1284176537_30572174_3174592_n.jpg[/img] [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs511.snc3/26843_1255465508457_1284176537_30572177_4033582_n.jpg[/img] Then we got out and i took a few more photos. [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs491.snc3/26843_1255465548458_1284176537_30572178_2266777_n.jpg[/img] [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs511.snc3/26843_1255465628460_1284176537_30572180_7221177_n.jpg[/img] [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs511.snc3/26843_1255465708462_1284176537_30572181_4956369_n.jpg[/img] [b]Video, watch it!:[/b] [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_FLc4SuwYI[/media] Stupidly I forgot the memory card for my 1080p camcorder. Overally the hospital was damn scary(I heard some people walking around upstairs, probably some druggies or something) and the old folks home was rather creepy.

I fucking love these threads, and urban exploring in general

Nice, Only if there was places around here.

Agreed ^

[QUOTE=Intoxicated Spy;21169350]Nice, Only if there was places around here.[/QUOTE] Oh I'm sure there is, there's tons of places I've never heard of before near me I found out about on some UE forums. [b]By the way guys, if you request I can add more photos, I took about 130, I cut them down because I thought people would complain :v:[/b]

I wish i had shit like this near here.

There isn't anywhere creepy near me. :(

I wished there was some abandoned building not too far from my house :saddowns:

I LOVE threads like these!

As I said, search around some UE forums, I never knew about these before I looked. Interestingly, I appear to be the first explorer registered on the UE forums to explore this place!

why are you wearing masks do you have the sars [editline]04:11PM[/editline] and this is completely random, but OP were you ever a member of Rotten Eggs

Awesome! It looks fun

[QUOTE=Waals Vander;21169444]why are you wearing masks do you have the sars [editline]04:11PM[/editline] and this completely random, but OP were you ever a member of Rotten Eggs[/QUOTE] You never no what shit could be in these old buildings(especially the first one), for all I know the walls could be filled with asbestos or painted with lead based paint. And no, I'm not, why?

[QUOTE=B-hazard;21169118] The walls were filled with amazing graffiti, such as this master-eice [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs491.snc3/26843_1255458748288_1284176537_30572111_6458928_n.jpg[/img][/QUOTE] lol

I would love to do some of this crap, but there is nothing of such kind around here. Nor do I know anyone who would agree to come along.

[QUOTE=B-hazard;21169500]You never no what shit could be in these old buildings(especially the first one), for all I know the walls could be filled with asbestos or painted with lead based paint. And no, I'm not, why?[/QUOTE] the thread just reminded me of something on there

[QUOTE=Waals Vander;21169444]why are you wearing masks do you have the sars [editline]04:11PM[/editline] and this completely random, but OP were you ever a member of Rotten Eggs[/QUOTE] Asbestos is a risk. These threads are cool, makes me think of STALKER in a way.. minus the mutants, radiation and guns.

You should of taken pictures of the druggies upstairs.

lol @ stig graffiti

i've always wanted to house sit in places like these and just break shit. would never have to worry about cleaning up.

[QUOTE=compwhizii;21169513]You should of taken pictures of the druggies upstairs.[/QUOTE] My friend ran away because he was too pussy to go upstairs, I'm sure they were cool people :v: I kinda wish we had more time to stay in the second place, it had tons of awesome shit in it and we didn't even explore the whole place. We played football with severed foam heads though. Also, I've added the video to the op.

why would they leave so much shit in the old folks home

If I was there I would have looted a few of those computer chairs, need a new one right about now :\

That's one pretty exterior.

I'm pissed off that I left the memory card for my 1080p camcorder at home, but I'm going to explore some abandoned tunnels/coal yard next weekend, so I will take it then.

Post the address pls, i want to have a look :).

[QUOTE=Waals Vander;21169616]why would they leave so much shit in the old folks home[/QUOTE] [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs491.snc3/26843_1255464668436_1284176537_30572159_7307691_n.jpg[/img]

[QUOTE=B-hazard;21169605]My friend ran away because he was too pussy to go upstairs, I'm sure they were cool people :v:[/QUOTE] [img]http://www.facepunch.com/ads/rating/cross.png[/img] Hope you like getting stabbed.

[QUOTE=Hesychasmos;21169798][img]http://www.facepunch.com/ads/rating/cross.png[/img] Hope you like getting stabbed.[/QUOTE] I was being sarcastic, hence the :v:

Bummer, someone took all the ram and hard drives.