Urbex is the hobby (some might say sport) of exploring derelict buildings, underground bunkers, disused hospitals, subterranean tunnels, abandoned factories and other such forgotten structures or pieces of land.
What sort of things do you see?
Well, lots of dirt, grime, liquids, goo, oil, rotten wood, hornets nests, and other grim things but also some interesting things such as control panels, equipment, machines, pianos, graffiti, furniture and other artifacts left behind from the days when the building was in it’s prime.
Why would anyone do that?
I’m sure everyone’s reasons differ but the key is really in the ‘exploration’ part of the term, we want to explore the world around us and unlike most people we don’t see abandonment and decay as ‘dangerous’ or ‘disgusting’, we see it as ‘interesting’ and ‘challenging’. For some it’s about photography, for others it’s about the excitement of seeing somewhere that most normal people haven’t and being somewhere you’re not supposed to.
You may wonder what sort of people would do such a thing, well from the web and from personal experience I’ve encountered college students, photographers, professionals, generally all sorts of people and everyone I’ve met in person has been nice and friendly too.
Hold-on a minute, isn’t this illegal?
Not as far as I’m aware, I’m not a lawyer but from everything I’ve read and heard it’s not a criminal offence to be on someone else’s property but unless you have permission it could be considered as trespass. Now, trespass is a civil matter and if you’re caught on someone’s property without the appropriate permission you could be sued but in reality this is very unlikely as the benefits of doing so would be pretty limited.
This all sounds very nasty but in practice most urbexers are considerate people and are not planning to do anything wrong (at least not morally speaking). It would be easy for people to lump together people who take part in Urban Exploration with vandals and other such scumbags but nothing could be further from the truth. We’re not there to cause damage or spray graffiti (though evidence of both tend to be found on most sites), we’re there to explore, observe and sometimes document the location but never to cause any trouble.
If exploring on a site with security most urbexers will avoid detection or capture but if asked to leave then they will, peacefully and politely. Additionally most urbexers would also be cooperative with the police if the need arose, I have even heard of urbexers reporting suspicious events and evidence of criminal activity directly to the police.
OK then, but is it safe? Obviously we’re exploring abandoned buildings, sometime these are not long since abandoned or are still being maintained but in many cases they are not and have fell into ruin. Basically it’s up to the individual but as long as you take precautions you should be OK, I plan to write an article about safety specifically so please check this post on Urbex Safety.
So how do I get started / find out more?
Well for starters, bookmark this blog and come back from time to time as I get post more information. Over the next few weeks and months I plan to post a mixture of tips and tricks, site visits and general information about the community, if you’re eager then read my urbex safety tips and remember that Google is your friend.
NOTE: All photos published on this blog are available from Flickr via Creative Commons and are attributed to their rightful owners by virtue of a link back to their Flickr page. You should also be clear that I’m not condoning any unsafe, illegal or immoral activities and my advice is just that – advice. I offer no guarantees that my advice is even worth following and anyone that listens to a single word I have to say does so at their own risk – in short, I’ve spent many decades of my life avoiding responsibility so I’m not about to take any now!
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Tags: abandoned, decay, derelict, urban exploration, urbex
Lovely idea for a blog m8 and gorgeous bloody HDR !!, I’ll ignore the typo’s as I get accused of being from the grammar / spelling Police ..But it’s instead of its ? unforgiveable LOL Keep up the good work…Graybags
Sorry! That’s one of my few consistent grammatical errors, will fix later!
This is great. I really want to photograph these sort of buildings, with some funky models/hair/make-up.
Interested in any collaborations so we can share the costs.
This is my first visit to your site and I am very excited about what you are doing! I am feeling quite emotional having read the blog as it is so good to know that there are like-minded people out there. I thought my interest in abandonded and derelict buildings was just another symtom of my ‘nuttiness’ (maybe so, but that’s OK!).
I have always been interested in such things, but the real PASSION began when I first gained access to and began to explore the abandoned Victorian buildings at West Middlesex Hospital. I managed about 5 visits, all unaccompanied (slightly freaky but added something to the experience)and FELL IN LOVE WITH THE PLACE! The whole site has now sadly been demolished. I AM GENUINELY UPSET AND I HAVE PLACED A ‘CURSE’ ON THE FLATS THAT ARE NOW RISING OBNOXIOUSLY IN ITS PLACE! Thank you, sickbritain, I’ll be visiting you again! X
Ok so I’m replying to myself… Thought my email wouldn’t be published but it seems clear for all to see. Not especially bothered but it does say ‘will not be published’ (requierd). Lucky I’m not gonna place too much info. You’ve seen my last comment. Near to said locaiotn is somewhere else I’m looking at and have made access to much easier…However, judging by clothes, shoes, duvet etc arranged there, it’s all too obvious this is someone’s shelter (there’s a shelered area with old gravestones round the walls)who is blatantly homeless, so I’m respecting that and will leave it for now. Has potential I think! X
Hi,
You’re email address isn’t published publicly, that’ll just be a cookie at your end to make things easier to see. The only people that can see your email address are the webmaster (tfs) and myself.
Thanks for commenting!
Ok cool- cheers for that! Sorry- not v computer literate yet, d’oh! X
I love this stuff and so badly want to go explore around my hometown of Cincinnati, OH but I always seem to be just a bit too law-abiding to ever cross a fence or climb a wall. Plus, I’m a splinter magnet even in well maintained, clean spaces. I can’t even imagine.
To ShawnS- Dude, I know exactly how you feel and your comment made me laugh- not at you but with you! Nice one mate (I’m from the UK!) for being so honest! I too am a ’splinter magnet’ and was always reluctant to climb trees; was the last one to jump off (sometimes be helped off in the end) the shed roof after all my mates, etc., etc! BUT…
PART OF THE BEAUTY OF URBEX FOR ME IS THAT IT REQUIRES SOME OF THE SKILLS I THOUGHT I DIDN’T HAVE! DON’T GET ME WRONG, I AM VERY MUCH A NOVICE AND ALSO I’M A BIT FITTER THAN I USED TO BE COS OF GOING TO THE GYM. ANOTHER THING: THERE’S NO WAY I’M GOING TO ‘EGG ON’ SOMEONE IN THIS SORT OF SITUATION. IT IS ENTIRELY DOWN TO THE JUDGEMENT AND INTUITION OF THE INDIVIDUAL!
Get to know the place properly from the outside first. You will only bother to do this if it draws you to it, as I understand some places near you have! Good luck- Eleanor
can you access underground network with bumbkeys from underground stations and abandoned platforms?
There is access point near st pauls cathedral anyone try.
Please read my storie at shepherdstudios.info
there are many empty buildings in london waiting for demolish but you can access except they also have security – I am too lazy to get caught here! need to buy keys ….
antone want to meet in lonond to do som urbanexploration?
”What sort of things do you see?
Well, lots of dirt, grime, liquids, goo, oil….”
Sounds like an average night on the piss up north.
Sam Shepherd? I am interested in finding some London sites. I have a couple of ideas but they are either shut up quite tight or too easy to get into, thus allowing too easy access to tramps and looters to have much of interest left inside. Ping me back if you want to collaborate. I’m in SE4
Love the blog! I’m really keen to get tinto this but struggle to encourage any of my mates who are more into maintaining their nails than derelict buildings! I was a bit weary of the law side as my job requires regular CRB checks so wouldnt want a breaking and entering charge on my record, I do live over in Wallsend in Newcastle Upon Tyne though which has a good few sites I’d love to explore! Wallsend Theatre, Swanhunter’s Shipyard, whats left of it seen tons of pics in forums! any like minded locals please get in touch or even travellers! I’m a friendly guy and any exploration in wallsend would follow a warm cupper and bikkie in my little nest of rubbish just a stones throw away from the above sites!
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yo yo yo love the blog espchial bit about the very nice people part its angin the wa some people think of what we do as a crime. tbh i have contacted you in hope of info on what leeds could you kindly provide me with for more infomation bout places to explore in manchester it would be very much appriciated as i have tried and failed yes loser me but you seem to be clued up please send assistance weather it jus info on where to get info please i need to explore
Hey im studying documentary photography at newport university and im interested in doing a project on urbex was wondering if anyone could help me to find people in newport, cardiff and bristol that wouldn’t mind having a tag along lol
xx
Ellie – I don’t really know many people in South Wales and I don’t know of any South West Urbex sites, have you tried 28 Days Later or Derelict Places?
Tresspass is not a criminal offence and british law does not allow you to be prosecuted for it.This doesnt mean the police wont try and charge you with the vagrancy act, which basically means you are on private property with intentions of doing something illegal ,It all depends on what you may say in interview but my advice is dont say anything without consulting your solicitor, as the charge is difficult to prove and unless your tooled up to the max with intentions to do something it wont make court and my advice for any of you with intentions is dont get caught……