A bit of a mix bag of about 300 photos taken over a period of a few weeks. Obviously not going to post all 300, that would be mad but it is a bit pic heavy.
Just to note that the gaps in the fences that have been there recently have been shored up with earth or massive trees etc so don't expect to stroll in anymore.
I don't class myself as a proper UE like many on here as I don't get the time to go exploring but the photography bug has got me again and this is nearby, in fact I did a report back in 2012 on here at https://www.28dayslater.co.uk/threa...bedfordshire-february-2011.68678/#post-819760 and just had a look through this and some of the other older reports, can't believe how much has changed!
A short bit of History.
These are the last 4 (70m tall) of an original 32 chimneys on this site and have been preserved from demolition by Historic England.
The brickworks produced 18 million bricks a week at it's peak making it the largest in the world in terms of output but the site closed in 2008 as a brickworks due to not being able to meet emission standards. Apparently the current owners had spent over £1million trying to meet them.
Additionally Stewartby was home to the worlds largest kiln (the arches you can see) and produced 20% of all Englands bricks in the 1970's.
As for the explore(s) well saved the best for last, epic, really enjoyed it! I go alone as don't know anyone else local that does this and to be honest I feel more comfortable alone, only having to worry about me. As I've said, they've shored up the gaps considerably and I suspect thats due to whoever decided to simply cut down a huge chunk of fence leaving it pretty obvious it had been done :-( Also, someone recently has also been in with crowbars etc I suspect because when I'd been a week or 10 days previous the amount of wooden security panels etc over doors or windows were still intact! Not so on my latest visit so I made the most of the increased access to buildings I'd never explored before!
So, on with some pictures.
Just to note that the gaps in the fences that have been there recently have been shored up with earth or massive trees etc so don't expect to stroll in anymore.
I don't class myself as a proper UE like many on here as I don't get the time to go exploring but the photography bug has got me again and this is nearby, in fact I did a report back in 2012 on here at https://www.28dayslater.co.uk/threa...bedfordshire-february-2011.68678/#post-819760 and just had a look through this and some of the other older reports, can't believe how much has changed!
A short bit of History.
These are the last 4 (70m tall) of an original 32 chimneys on this site and have been preserved from demolition by Historic England.
The brickworks produced 18 million bricks a week at it's peak making it the largest in the world in terms of output but the site closed in 2008 as a brickworks due to not being able to meet emission standards. Apparently the current owners had spent over £1million trying to meet them.
Additionally Stewartby was home to the worlds largest kiln (the arches you can see) and produced 20% of all Englands bricks in the 1970's.
As for the explore(s) well saved the best for last, epic, really enjoyed it! I go alone as don't know anyone else local that does this and to be honest I feel more comfortable alone, only having to worry about me. As I've said, they've shored up the gaps considerably and I suspect thats due to whoever decided to simply cut down a huge chunk of fence leaving it pretty obvious it had been done :-( Also, someone recently has also been in with crowbars etc I suspect because when I'd been a week or 10 days previous the amount of wooden security panels etc over doors or windows were still intact! Not so on my latest visit so I made the most of the increased access to buildings I'd never explored before!
So, on with some pictures.