Contact Me - Urban Exploration East Anglia - UrbEx

Your Comments

View newest comments first

1. Posted 6 September 2006, 16:00 From Ben Williams

   what happened to gypsy camp pics? they rawked.

   I also like the photo tagwords. well done on that (even though its not new - I know.)

   er yeah thats about it. have you abndoned (hehehe) the fotopic now?

2. Posted 16 September 2006, 20:30 From Joe

   Nice site, not as much in EA to go and see (anymore!). Pauls looked good, how did you get in? Ever thought about the Tolly Cobbold Brewery in Ipswcih?

3. Posted 2 October 2006, 22:10 From smiffy

   you do some good stuff mate. Love your airbases and the railway stuff. It amazes me just how much property the MOD must have had and propbably still does own. Just in airfields alone they must have abandoned at least half a million acres over only the last ten years. christ knows how much they still own.

4. Posted 27 November 2006, 15:40 From salem

   hey! gr8 site! i live in cambridge so i explore alot of east abglia too. very cool site! check mine out and drop me a email, maybe we could explore together?

5. Posted 12 January 2007, 23:10 From Colin W Anetts

   Really great site, I was rapt in th pictures of West Raynham

6. Posted 6 February 2007, 22:40 From Daniel Swainsbury

   Hi there, just checked out your site and the pics and buildings look great.

   I am just starting out directing and producing music videos and am currentley in pre production with a bands video that would suit these locations.

   I was wondering if you could help or assist me in getting any of these type of locations to do a video shoot. As I am just starting out the budgets are non existing, but the video would look fantastic in a location such as the old mental asylums as pictured on your site.

   Obviously I would like to have permission from the relevant authority to use the space (as we would have a bit of kit on the day), but didn't know if you had any contacts in any relevant council that you may have contacted for your own use in getting into these buildings?

   Any help would be much appreciated and we may be able to stretch the budget for a small fee if you could help out. We are based in London, but are willing to travel anywhere in search of the right location!

   Thanks for your time in reading this email and hope to hear from you soon.

   Kind regards

   Daniel Swainsbury

7. Posted 15 March 2007, 16:50 From john

   do u live in ipswich ,i do aswelll i would like to go around with you to vist some of these place if i can contact me soon as poss: cheers ,a really really good site excellent photos

8. Posted 16 March 2007, 10:50 From DAB @ derelicte

   Hi John. No I don't live in Ipswich. I have no idea who you are or anything. So no, I can't take you exploring with me.

   Thanks for the kind words about my site though.

9. Posted 17 March 2007, 21:30 From john

   shame but thanks for reply been to that the hms grage thats a mad site.pritty big place went there the other day.

10. Posted 4 May 2007, 10:20 From publicenergy

    I have really enjoyed your photos - I only discovered your web site after seeing one of your Annesley photos in the Nottingham Flickr group. I've been past that site many times but never ventured inside.

    I could browse these photos for hours and hours they're fascinating - please keep it up

    I do feel very inspired to have a look at some of these kind of places now.

12. Posted 4 May 2007, 21:40 From maddmax

    nice site, thanks for sharing

13. Posted 15 May 2007, 22:30 From john mortimer

    Have you any idea whay happened to the records from St Albrights? I've a relative died there in 1952 and wondered if there were any records archived. Thanks

14. Posted 24 May 2007, 12:20 From Roland Elworthy

    Very interesting website you've created. I don't know why but sometimes building are far more interesting when they're ruined and abandoned, strange really.

    On the occasions that you're caught by security, how are you treated? Once they realise you have a genuine interest and are not some random vandal, do they lighten up a bit?

    Thanks again.

15. Posted 25 May 2007, 15:30 From meryl heasman

    I used to work at Princess Christian`s Hosp for the Mentally handicapped. When it shut down I lost track of a lot of the residents. Leonard Darwood was transferred to Leybourne Grange, do you know where he might be now? Someone suggested he went somewhere in the East Kent Area. Do you know how I might find out? Many thanks.

16. Posted 11 June 2007, 13:50 From Mike Hatch

    Loved the N.G.T.E. photos, a real nostalgia trip. I was an apprentice there and later worked in the test cells. You did not feature any photos if the computer suit, although it was an unremarkable looking building. You were standing behind it when you took the photo of the Cell 3/4 ramp. When did you get in there, is it still possible ?.

    It an absolute shame that place is going to be knocked down for a distribution warehouse. I hear it was for the development arm of the PRU, but did not know it was for Tesco's, although that sounds far fetched.

17. Posted 11 June 2007, 13:50 From Mike Hatch

    Loved the N.G.T.E. photos, a real nostalgia trip. I was an apprentice there and later worked in the test cells. You did not feature any photos if the computer suit, although it was an unremarkable looking building. You were standing behind it when you took the photo of the Cell 3/4 ramp. When did you get in there, is it still possible ?.

    It an absolute shame that place is going to be knocked down for a distribution warehouse. I hear it was for the development arm of the PRU, but did not know it was for Tesco's, although that sounds far fetched.

18. Posted 11 June 2007, 14:00 From Mike Hatch

    Great site, loved the N.G.T.E. photos, real nostalgia trip for me as I used to work there in the 60's and 70's.

19. Posted 12 June 2007, 13:00 From Steve Prescott

    Like Mick Colclough, I served at West Raynham as an Armourer in the mid 80's, driving the missile loaders and generally trying to survive the dull Norfolk winters. We had some seriously good fun at Raynham, pretty cushy posting compared to some.The wet weather must have affected me though as I now live in South Australia. A bit sad to see the base all devoid of life - it now looks like the rest of East Anglia...

20. Posted 2 July 2007, 12:30 From MAC

    I have pics of W Raynham, RAF Spilsby, Woodhall Spa and more....also have the wiring plans for most of West Raynham airfield and main buildings as well as the sign board from the Gym Weights room.....might even admit to having the keys to the main safe in the Station HQ.... if anyone interested let me know....

21. Posted 5 July 2007, 21:00 From terry mccrickerd

    I was staioned at West Raynham airfield in the 80's for 3years when it was a Bloodhound site for 85 Sqn. I being the Sqn Storeman in the Missile Supply Group.

    Then, I really hated the place as the site images / comments state 'it is in the middle of nowhere and very quiet' not like being on a flying unit where there was always a buzz going on. True, but now lookig back, and being a bit of a sad git interested in airfields and their building's, ' Raynham was a really 'pretty and well built wartime airfield'. On a summer day, with the grass newly cut, the trees in full leaf, the larks and yellowhammers singing, it could be a tranquil place. Must go back, before the developers get there and 'destroy' it.

22. Posted 14 August 2007, 21:20 From steve

    love the site!, ive been known to roam were i shouldnt,drop me an email, i may beable to help with pics were you aint been yet,WW2 airfields!!

23. Posted 23 August 2007, 16:20 From Brian Kettlewell

    Hi, thanks for the Watton info and photo,s I visited from our home in Canada but could find a way in . Served as an instrument basher B flt 192 squadron. Great place, great times. Thanks again.

24. Posted 5 September 2007, 08:30 From Roger Collins

    I enjoyed your site a lot. My father was aircrew from 1938 for a full 40 years and I was a service brat so I think I know my MQs. Like you I dislike seeing derelict stations. West Raynham I tried to purchase from Defence Estates 10 years ago but it was utilised by the Army then. Eventually I bought it not by auction as was suggested but by sealed tender in May 2006. Not much has happened visually but behind the scenes we are heavily involved in dealing with Anglian Water, Fenland Hydro, EDF to reinstate the basic infrastructure. The sewer farm has been out of action for years and we have to install 5km runs to the station. If access is required I do not have a problem but we retain Broadland Guards to provide security and because of very obvious safety issues no illegal entry must be attempted. I have given access to dozens of intersted parties and would be always happy to continue to do so. Contact details on our website

25. Posted 17 September 2007, 12:50 From Pete Snook

    Was based at RAF UPWOOD in 1952-4 on 148 sqdn working on "lincoln" B2s

26. Posted 6 October 2007, 21:30 From Johno

    one of the best and well thought out sites that I have visited.Like the bit where you can search by county,town etc.keep up the good work.

27. Posted 8 October 2007, 15:10 From Michael Bennett

    Hello,

    We are currently producing a documentary for ITV 1 and are trying to find possible power stations to use as a location. Preferably one that isn’t all run down and looks fairly modern. Do you know of where I could get a list of disused power stations or perhaps suggest some good locations to look into?

    Please feel free to call me.

    Kind Regards

    Michael Bennett

    Tel. 0207261 3721

28. Posted 24 November 2007, 21:30 From Jeremy

    Excellent site. Particularly of HMS Ganges. Not sure how you got in! You may be interested in the photo tour at myshotley.com/ganges-tour.html

29. Posted 15 December 2007, 01:20 From William

    I served at RAF Watton 1962-64-5.I ran the calibration room ,which I seem to recall was situated in Hanger 3.Now live in Queensland Australia.Enjoyed your site.I'm still wiping away the tears. Regards,William.Le Marquis de Riecroft

30. Posted 31 December 2007, 10:00 From Doug

    Great site! It brings back memories, i spent 10 days at this base in 1979 when i was a CI with 7F sqadron. It was a hot summer and the whole base was beautifull, tree lined avenues and impeccable cut grass! We were well looked after and stayed in Sgts mess. Its not an easy place to find though, well tucked away.

31. Posted 9 January 2008, 10:20 From RoulinRouge

    Hi

    Interesting site. I had never heard of urban exploration before, but I like it.

    One thing about tresspass laws - in your faq, you mention that tresspass is not a criminal offence so the police can't do anything. This is true in most cases, but there are exceptions including railways, airports and military installations - you can be ejected by the police or arrested. You can also be held under the new anti-terror laws some police forces are over using these powers.

    Also under civil law, if you don't leave when the the owner / authorised person asks you to, they have the right to remove you using 'reasonable force'.

32. Posted 10 January 2008, 18:20 From jackie ferry

    is ther away of finding out names of nurse male and female at severalls asylum

    between 1912 and 1919.in my uncle paper work is a book that was signed by some of the nurses between those date quinn mowbray harris jolly and quite a few more but im stuck on where to to can you nhelp in any small way regards jackie

33. Posted 18 January 2008, 21:30 From Pete Snook

    I used to explore an abandoned airfield in Norfolk probably in the late 40s which I believe had been an American bomber drome. I can only recall the name Beeston but this may be wrong. It would be fairly near Bilney which is where my sister lived. Does this mean anything to anyone out there?

    Pete snook.

34. Posted 29 January 2008, 14:00 From Jason

    Hi

    What a superb website, I have had an interest in old Airfields for a while. I've visited all in Norfolk and Suffolk and amassed over 800 images. In May 07 i gained access to West Raynham. I got loads of photos inc the Bomb Store and Bloodhound Maintenance Site. If you are interested in what i've taken e-mail me. Another site which i've photographed the missle site is Rattlesden.

35. Posted 31 January 2008, 19:30 From huggy

    great site and strangely addictive,love the piccys remember raf west raynham when my brother was based there so sad its been left to rot..like the litle plumstead piccys--maybe you could do a similar visit so st micheals in aylsham,as i live near by..keep up the good work.............huggy

36. Posted 11 February 2008, 23:20 From Doomsville

    Just to say. Nice pix etc. Are you local to Sunderland? Would like to meet others with the same "mindset" in the area. Been to a few places and have a few others in mind. If not north-east can you advise? Mail me re. a meet up if you can. Cheers. If it has to be covert then I'm up for it. lol. Hope you can help. Keep up the good work.

37. Posted 13 February 2008, 18:50 From lee

    In the next few months, Leybourne Grange will be all but demolished, I was just wondering if, "While I am working there on the demolition phase", whether or not anybody would like anything from there, `just for memrobilic sake`...

38. Posted 12 March 2008, 14:30 From Mark Jackson

    I would like to use a couple of your pictures of Leybourne Grange for an internal document.

39. Posted 13 March 2008, 21:30 From Daniel

    Hi

    fantastic site. I live in colchester & might check out Severalls Asylum if I can still gain access.

    Have you ever checked out Copped hall in upshire?

    not sure if you can still gain access to the insides now, but i used to go there when i was a kid, Amazing place!

    dan

40. Posted 19 March 2008, 21:50 From ALEC BURWOOD

    No comment other than an excellant site.

    I am researching Shingle Street and although there is very little in the way of info and documention about the early Shingle Street 1803 the name Cobbold keeps cropping up with regard to the Lifeboat Inn long since destroyed. Is there any records available through the company or any reference books. It is said that the Inn destroyed was built in Ipswich and shipped by barge I am after dates, when, where, how.

    Any help would be very much appreciated.

    Alec Burwood

41. Posted 20 March 2008, 13:00 From Lindsay Stead

    I had regular access to the Leybourne Grange for about 12yrs after it closed.Your pictures were stunning,a true representation of the place.It is a travesty it is being built on,but your pictures will be a great memory

42. Posted 20 March 2008, 13:00 From Lindsay Stead

    To Lee,i spent the happiest momments of my childhood riding round the Grange daily,i would love to have something to remember it by,or one last wander round (minus pony) would be wonderful!

43. Posted 27 March 2008, 09:00 From Robert Hacon Williams

    Great pictures. I came across them looking for details on muy deceased Uncle's 7 Sqn Lancaster MG-N. He was killed along with all the crew when it was shot down. I have a problem with Jeff Bogaert's post as my information was he was shot down returning from a raid on Berlin. They were a Pathfinder lancaster. I wonder if you could arrange for Jeff to contact me.

    Mnay thanks

    Kind regards

    Robert

44. Posted 5 April 2008, 14:20 From carol

    we have some buildings down here in wolverhampton

    the eye infirmary on the tettenhall road

    the old collage bilston mount plesantthats you could go and look at it

    cazwix

45. Posted 14 April 2008, 13:40 From Gavin

    Just found your excellent site! Keep up the good work!

    Is there any chance you could put a lat/long or link to Google Maps for these locations?

    Thanks

47. Posted 14 April 2008, 20:50 From doug pash (146 class \\\\\\\'58 hawke 49

    i live in Seaford in nice retirement and a 'GANGES' meet has recently opened in Easrbourne.IVAN JONES x ganges (67-68) my workmate. put me onto it so any GANGES in area can catch me on my website dougntrish@btinternet.com. not mobile as am recovering from 9 weeks in Eastbourne DGH but can talk ok

48. Posted 15 April 2008, 23:10 From Lilly

    Hi there, awesome site : )

    Have a question i *really* need answering and have no idea on where else/who else to ask! Basicaly, i went to Severals a few weeks ago but it was fenced off with some seriously evil looking barbed wire...how the hell do i get into the place? Its recently been sectioned off i guess because the place is going to be knocked down - but i really want to take a look inside the place. Any ideas on how to get in?

    Cheers

    Lilly

49. Posted 25 April 2008, 14:30 From Balance

    Hello to all those chilld peeps out there who love explorin and investigating rugged and raw buildings!

    Peace to all of you! Word up 4 creatin such a cool site people! Keep up the good work, Arnie: I'll b back to check wots fresh! Ps: If you dont kno then check out a heavy duty film called Session 9 Peace

50. Posted 14 May 2008, 18:30 From luke

    absolutely awesome, great job mate. me and my mate like the power station, iv'e heard about the gypsy camp photos and also think you should put them back on, its only since the gypsys left we decided to go back in because we didn't want a chase lol next we're gonna climb the un gutted tower and get inside you should try it and put some of them photos on (anybody who wants to get in can do so round the back, over the railway line or the gap in the fence past the gate, near the railway line) peace (p.s no vandalism! just great urban exploring

51. Posted 22 May 2008, 10:00 From dan butler

    hi great site,

    i asked a question awhile ago who owns the redoubt at north weald......no one knows.....

52. Posted 31 May 2008, 00:20 From Access

    Great site, it's good to see other explorers doin diffrent locations. keep up the good work

53. Posted 2 June 2008, 12:20 From Rachel

    Great site I only recently discovered urban exploring and am really excited at the thought of doing some of my own explores. Some of your pictures are really beautiful, especially the asylum pics. Any hints of tips would be great to help me get started

    Keep up the good work! x

54. Posted 12 June 2008, 14:00 From William McElligott

    Re: "upwood_39"

    Greetings,

    Ah, Upwood. Your shot is of what we called the "'A' Flight Classroom." It's not looking so hot in this image (despite the obvious fire damage.)

    From 1984 - 1995 The Upwood Officers' Mess was part of the "USAFE NCO Academy-North (later the "Mathies USAF Noncommissioned Officer Academy" and still later the "Mathies Professional Military Education Center".) I was a USAF Master Sergeant and an instructor there from 1990-1995.

    For a time, Upwood was the largest Professional Military Education center in the USAF, providing mid-level and upper-level professional development courses to airmen and noncommissioned officers throughout the European theater.

    A Flight was the showplace classroom. In addition to daily classes, we also met DVs there. In 1993 I personally briefed a contingent from the Czech Air Force in this classroom. They were quite interested in how the free world developed their noncommissioned officers.

    You also have a shot of what was once the Sergeant's Mess. That was part of our school as well. We called it "Valor Hall" and within it we had a display of enlisted RAF VC and enlisted USAF Medal of Honor recipients. Leonard Cheshire (VC) and John Levitow (MoH) dedicated the hall. That was quite a coup as Cheshire had for years begged off engagements of this sort. I have it on video. He used the occasion to, in his words, "finally thank the USAF for all they did for us 50 years ago." I was emcee for that event and it's one of the highlights of my career.

    Let me know if you'd like more info on the school and what went on there.

    Regards,

    William J. McElligott

55. Posted 14 June 2008, 12:40 From Rob

    Regarding the post "Posted 27 March 2008, 09:00 From Robert Hacon Williams"

    One of the crew of this aircraft (F.R. Page) was the father of my half-brother and husband of my late mother. Please could you forward my email addres to Mr Williams so that he could contact me if he wishes?

56. Posted 18 June 2008, 20:30 From Richard (the ghost hunter)

    hi. i was reading with interest about West Raynham airfield Norfolk, i was wondering who it belongs to now? as i could be a good place to carry out a paranormal investigation.

    Have you been to any spooky buildings in your travels? i bet you have.

57. Posted 28 June 2008, 23:50 From Enrico

    Bawdsey Manor. The site of the top-secret Bloodhound missiles may still be there, hidden behind large earth blast mounds. See the talk page of the Wikipedia article for Bawdsey Manor. There are some quite large WW2 military blockhouses or gun emplacements nearby on that part of the coast. At Felixstowe Docks and Harwich are even bigger structures. Some of them are underground.

    There are several isolated unused Martello Towers south of Shingle Street, Suffolk. It would be great to see some photos of the inside - but you will need a ladder to get in.

58. Posted 29 June 2008, 00:50 From Enrico

    On the bank of the river Stour esturary in Essex, but north of the railway line from Manningtree to Harwich, was an secret ordnance factory that closed long ago. You get to it down one of the several obscure little dirt tracks leading off the B road and crossing the railway line. It was shown on old OS maps, but not on more recent due to secrecy. I do not know if its still there - I would guess it probably still is. Nearer Mistley other little twisty tracks lead to mills, which may be derelict. Also at Mistley is a former cold war bunker open to the public.

59. Posted 29 June 2008, 15:00 From Enrico

    The disused factory site where work on mines, depth charges, and torpedoes was done is described in some detail at pillbox-study-group dot org dot uk slash ukfcdatabasecpage dot htm It says there was still lots to see in 2005. It is in Copperas Wood, not "Coppera's Wood" as that site says. The entrance to this is probably up the lane on the B road just to the west of the road to the container terminal.

    This is not to be confused with the former mine depot which is nearby and to the west nearer Wrabness, which is now a nature reserve, and which is also mentioned on the above site.

Leave A Comment