Latest news with #B&RUrbanExplorersUK
Rhyl Journal
07-05-2025
- Health
- Rhyl Journal
WATCH: Urban Explorers walk tunnels at former Denbigh Asylum
The Former North Wales Hospital was built in 1844 - 1848, to provide care for Welsh speaking people suffering from mental illnesses. It was extended in the 1860s and again in the 20th century and by 1956 there were 1,500 patients. The Health Authority announced closure in 1987 and the last patient left in 1995. Since then, the abandoned site has fallen into a serious state of disrepair. The abandoned site has fallen into a serious state of disrepair (Image: B&R Urban Explorers UK) B&R Urban Explorers UK spent well over a hour exploring the grounds. A member of the group, who does not wish to be named, told the Free Press: "Exploring the hospital itself, you get a sense of sadness. You cannot help but think of the many people who have passed through the hospital, some never making it back out. "In the tunnels it was if someone was there with you, a very eery feeling, especially seeing old operating lights down there. Eerie... (Image: B&R Urban Explorers UK) "It felt very cold but intriguing. "They were dark, damp and some were narrow with one even having a lift in it that went further down as you travelled further down the tunnels. "You got more of a sense of being watched. It was pretty freaky but really cool to explore. Up to 1,500 patients lived at the facility (Image: B&R Urban Explorers UK) "We as urban explorers and have wanted to do this place for sometime."" Urban Explorers UK aim to seek out the "unknown." Speaking more about the hospital, the member said: "The hospital has undergone various changes, expansions, and reforms, but its legacy is marked by controversy, tragedy, and paranormal activity. An old lift (Image: B&R Urban Explorers UK) "The hospital's history is marked by periods of overcrowding, understaffing, and inadequate care. Patients were often subjected to inhumane treatments, including lobotomies and other forms of psychiatric experimentation. The hospital's mortality rates were also alarmingly high, with many patients dying from neglect, abuse, or untreated illnesses. Most of the windows have been smashed (Image: B&R Urban Explorers UK) "Today, the North Wales Hospital is said to be one of the most haunted places in Wales. Visitors and staff have reported a range of paranormal activity, including ghostly apparitions, unexplained noises, and strange movements. Many believe that the hospital's troubled history has led to a lingering presence of restless spirits, trapped between worlds. "The North Wales Hospital's legacy is a complex and disturbing one. While it was intended to provide care and treatment for those in need, it ultimately became a symbol of fear, neglect, and abuse. Today, the hospital stands as a testament to the darker aspects of human nature and the importance of prioritising patient care and dignity. "The hospital was gradually wound down as a health are facility in 1991 and finally closed in 1995. Crumbling walls and peeling paint (Image: B&R Urban Explorers UK) Walking the underground tunnels of this place , you cannot help but wonder what went on down there." The main hospital building is Grade II* listed. The former hospital had extensive grounds (Image: B&R Urban Explorers UK) Denbighshire County Council (DCC) are now the owners, while Jones Bros are currently in possession of the site; The previous owners of the site had allowed the buildings to deteriorate. A decision was made for Denbighshire County Council to compulsory purchasing the site using powers available to local authorities under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. Prior to DCC taking ownership, the site has had two owners. Since closure it has suffered from neglect, vandalism and theft. It is now in an extremely dilapidated state. The £107million capital investment project proposal to be delivered by Jones Bros includes restoration of the Grade 2* listed building, development of new homes and green spaces, a skills and training facility as well as over 1,000m2 of commercial space. The public should not go near North Wales Hospital site. The site is dangerous and contains hazardous materials.
Pembrokeshire Herald
28-04-2025
- General
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Gone, but most definitely not forgotten
SOMEWHERE in the heart of Pembrokeshire sits a long-abandoned farmhouse, barely visible through decades of overgrowth. Its windows are broken, its front door stands ajar and its floors are covered in debris. A solitary Singer sewing machine stands in the centre of the kitchen as poignant reminder of the lives of the people who once lived there. 'Coming across places like this – beautiful properties which have just been abandoned and left to decay – is tragic,' said one of the people responsible for setting up B&R Urban Explorers UK, the Pembrokeshire-based group whose mission is to seek out forgotten places. 'Each of these properties were once full of life, but now everything has just been left standing still.' Last week B&R were given permission to visit the Haverfordwest Junior Voluntary Controlled School in Barn Street, which closed its classroom doors for the last time in 2018. There they discovered three wooden plaques dating back to the 1920's, each bearing testimony to the pupils' successes, while dozens of classroom photographs were found discarded on the floor. A similar discovery was made in Tasker Milward School where plaques naming the head boys and head girls from 1978 and the students who had won scholarships were found in the vacated building, as well as a full-sized Bechstein grand piano left abandoned in the main hall. 'These things meant so much to so many, and that's not just the children, but their parents, their families and the teaching staff at each of the schools,' continued R, who prefers to be called by his initials. 'Surely items such as these should be respected and looked after? And if they can't be moved to an alternative school, then why can't they be placed in the town museum?' Since launching B&R Explorers UK in March of this year, R and his partner have visited a number of forgotten properties all over the UK. But it goes without saying that the couple has a special affinity for the places they're discovering closer to their home which is in Milford Haven. In addition to the Haverfordwest schools, they recently explored Hakin Infant School which is due to be demolished later this year, where they discovered discarded photographs of children, which included ones of their daughter, as well as Oakwood, the Brawdy Lanes bowling alley, Roch Gate Hotel and many abandoned Pembrokeshire farmhouses. 'We recently visited a property that we've christened 'The Whiskey House', because when we walked into the outside shed, we found a whiskey bottle lying there, waiting for its owner's return and in the middle of the kitchen, we found an old Singer sewing machine. 'We've also visited Dylan Thomas' auntie's house, near Laugharne, which has obviously been empty for many years because one of the upstairs ceilings had fallen through. The house is still full of items, some of which are antique, and it's so sad to see this happening to so many properties around our county. 'Little Milford House is another prime example. It's owned by the National Trust, and when we got there earlier this year, we discovered that the front door had been left open. The yale lock had been left on its latch, so anyone could have walked in. We made sure the door was properly closed when we left, but once again it's such a shame to see a property of this stature being left to decay. Little Milford is such a popular area with walkers, I'm sure the house could be enjoyed by so many others.' Since launching B&R Urban Explorers UK on social media, the site has attracted a healthy 1,000 people who have begun following in just just over a month. 'This has been something of a surprise to us, but it also shows just how much interest people are taking in the properties and the communities around them,' concludes R. 'By discovering these properties and by sharing our findings with the public, we're hopeful that a little more attention will be given to them and items, like the plaques we found in Tasker Milward and Haverfordwest Junior voluntary schools, will get the recognition and respect that they deserve.'
