Tales of the Urban Explorer: Griffin Lodge
This was to be my third visit to Griffin Lodge, the other two were both in 2019, and two times it had thwarted my attempts at infiltration.
The historic grade-II building, which dates back to 1824 and was built by Blackburn cotton magnate, Thomas Dugdale, has been blighted by arson and vandalism in recent years.
It was last occupied in 2006 as home of the North West Museums Service but the Grade II-listed building has been left empty since April that year.
A news article from 2019 states it will become a new health centre. We shall see, there is no evidence of this yet.
It has been subjected to many arson attacks over the years and one very recently which I was not aware of.
I was detemined this time was going to be different than my previous efforts and after a scout around, we found a weak point that was going to need the ladders.
Those ladders of mine have not helped one bit so far. On this day they got us in after some puffing and panting.
@dizzydiscovery clambered over a fence, went for a scout, and called me to say, 'Yeah, come in'.
Then the fun started with me climbing up these things and trying not to skewer myself on the other side.
After hiding the ladder, I waded through all the undergrowth, spotted the house close by surrounded by nettles, and the usual nasty stuff that grows in the summertime.
Some parts of the Lodge looks like a Nazi death camp, such are the intensity of these solid metal poles embedded with spikes.
We looked at this hole as a way in? I didn't fancy dropping down there, and at this point realised I didn't have my big light with me.
There was zero chance of me dealing with those ladders again to get it, so we figured it would be a dark explore.
More of those evil-looking spiked poles were inside, but we didn't need to go near them.
It was dark in the lower section, and our phone lights were doing a bad job of lighting things up.
Fortunately, the basement area was devoid of anything interesting besides the very ropey stairs up the next level.
There were many copies of, ‘Skeletons in the Cupboard’ all stacked up but not much else.
It was a lovely sunny day and hot in the sun. However, within Griffin Lodge, it was not so. Within the walls and away from the heat there was a distinct chill in the air.
I didn't feel anything else besides that, and as with all these places it was the usual deathly quiet.
When there is a warning sign ‘inside’ a DERP you really should take notice. I didn’t go into this room but there was another entrance from the other side without a warning.
My foot went through the floor fast and scared the shit out of me.
So for the record, take heed of internal signs. They may have been put there for the likes of me!
Much of Griffin Lodge is now a shell. The roof has gone which made the second floor inaccessible. I mean there is nowhere to stand!
I found an abundance of fireplaces, some of them elaborate. This one is made of marble and just needs a little dusting to make it look good as new.
Looking at the roofing, you can see the decorated edges and details. Once it was a fine manor house.
Support poles were everywhere, without them it may come tumbling down, what’s left of the roof.
The way out was great fun with me having to jump from around 6 feet. My ankles are not up to such straining these days and they did complain a little on impact.
Griffin Lodge is quite close to where I live, so I am thankful it’s been done before it completely collapses.
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The front looks quite a bit like the building in town.
There's windows in yours!
Another place that could be made nice again, if you have a spare million. Wouldn't surprise me if someone tried to steal that big fireplace.
It's in the middle of a public park which made using ladders a bit dodgy. Being summer, the trees and greenery hid us somewhat.
Cracking those fireplaces are amazing, shame it's damaged 💯🐒
Yeah, that marble one was great, not much left in there otherwise.
Great someone can capture it before it's dust 💯🐒
You can tell it would have been stunningly colourful when it was in it's heyday, seems like a real shame it's such a ruin now!
Must be nice to get it ticked off your list.
I'd probably be too worried about getting back out again over ladders to have enjoyed the explore!
I seem to be getting ever reckless as I get older. Went in a nightclub today, sliding down a slippy door 12 feet into a pit of grot and thought, 'Getting out.. that's a problem for later'. Did I get out.. well.. that's a story for another time!
Sounds a bit terrifying, I assume if you were texting from your phone in the dark you'd let me know.
I must say I think the concept of LIVE night club is far more terrifying than an abandoned one!
I will say that I did manage to get out. If @dizzydiscovery was not pushing me up then I would have been still there. It was quite a decent explore, and given the sheer amount of content I have by doing this stuff every Saturday, will arrive on HIVE around September time.
And I imagine they'll be a fair few abandoned pubs for to explore by then!
Another listed building! We need to change the legislation in this country. From the outside one would have expected more, at least some graffiti
I like the legislation as it is, only if for selfish reasons!
The fireplace really looked cool. I wonder what was in that big black hole lol
It was death down there, I'm sure!
Hahaha. Dark and scary.... Death it must be then.
Holy cow! That anti climb stuff looks worse than razor wire! I don't think I would even want to take a chance with it. This place just looks like one trip to the hospital after another! Much worse than some of the others you have tried to get into.
Imported from the death camps I feel, the place is old.. older than even the camps in East Germany.
That place must have been amazing in its day. That marble fireplace must have been awesome. I've a thing for fireplaces. Always wanted a real open fire but always get overruled by the boss.
I grew up with an open fire, it was a lot of work. Every morning getting rid of the ash etc.., I always wondered what a gas fire would be like as a kid.