Urbex - Aberdeenshire

These photos are from another 'urban exploration' shoot (although actually, this location is very rural). This is an abandoned house/mansion, set well back from the road in Aberdeenshire. I haven't been able to find out much about it, because it seems very little is known. There is a rumour that it was owned by a young couple, and the husband never returned from war, leaving the wife alone (I am not even certain whether this was the First or Second World War). One day, she just deserted the property, leaving it abandoned. (This story may be entirely fabricated, but it's the only history I was able to unearth).

This location was very difficult to find, and even with the help of local knowledge, it took three attempts to locate (it's around a twenty minute walk from the nearest road).

What is obvious from this ruin, is that it must once have been a wealthy and opulent manor. Aside from the vast house itself, there is a walled garden, set down the hill (the house would once have overlooked the walled garden, before the forest reclaimed the grounds). Within the grounds, there are bridges and water-features, and you can just about imagine how grand this house must have been. And inside the house itself, some of the decorative features remain, hinting at the wealth of its former occupants. There is also a small gate-house (I'll photograph this next time), also abandoned, easily two miles from the manor itself, which gives an indication of the size of its grounds. It must have been a costly and laborious process, just to transport the building materials to the middle of the forest where this property is located. It's hard to imagine how such wealth can now lie in such tatters.

The house itself is formed of two parts. The original stone building is more 'typical' of Scottish architecture, with square rooms, and cellars built into the basement. But my guess is that parts of the original mansion were already in ruins when the rest of this property was last occupied. Half the house has been renovated in a Mediterranean style, with rounded bay windows; a porch with tall, dignified archways; and a conservatory. This is the part that is best preserved - presumably, most recently abandoned. This part of the house retains a feel of its former occupants, and whatever tragedy tore them away from this once fine house. It's hard not to feel emotional, walking away from this ruin.

Upstairs is no longer accessible (as you can see from the staircase), but this is such a fascinating place to explore, and I will return next time I'm in the area, hopefully. These photos are from two separate shoots - one from my first visit last summer, and a return visit in spring this year.

Urbex - Norfolk

Another style of photography I love to follow is 'Urbex' (urban exploration). Some photographers go to great lengths to locate and gain access to abandoned buildings, the world over, in order to photograph them. If ever I'm presented with an opportunity, I love to shoot derelict buildings (as long as I'm not breaking any laws).

While working in Norfolk last winter, I drove past this property, and couldn't resist turning the car around to explore. It's known as 'Thursford Castle' although in reality, it was never a castle - it has a far more sinister history. It was a former work-house, and later, a hospital where patients with infectious diseases were quarantined. Not the most cheerful past.

Recently, the property has been granted planning permission to turn it into a residential property, and most of the grounds have been cleared in preparation for renovations to begin, once the site is sold. If I understand correctly, the planning permission retains the derelict chapel, incorporating it into the design.

I explored this site on Halloween, but despite the creepy time of year, much of the atmosphere of this ruin has been lost, as the area has been sanitized. It did feel more like a building plot, than a venue with a troubling past. Having said that, the grounds are surrounded by a wall, which has four small rooms built into each corner. (I think I read that these rooms were once occupied by armed guards, who protected the establishment from potential thieves, who may have attempted to raid the work-house for food, during times of famine). Those four tiny rooms have retained an ominous atmosphere (the small windows to one of these rooms are photographed below), while the rest of the plot is really quite tranquil.

I've no doubt that whoever buys these grounds will end up with a lovely property. Part of me is delighted that the site will be renovated, without deteriorating further, and disappearing into nothing. Although there is also something fascinating about these old, historical buildings, as they gradually crumble. Once it becomes private property, I find it slightly sad that the public (people like me) will no longer be able to gain access to explore its history.

Also nearby is Binham Priory, which has a lovely little modern church built into the ruins of the former priory. Both locations provided a nice photographic opportunity, Norfolk is a very beautiful part of the world.

These photographs are slightly more post-processed than my usual style. I find this particular effect works well for architectural photography (and particularly lends itself to abandoned buildings).