The History
Tucked away opposite the Institute for Naval Medicine in Alverstoke sits a gem that, like some urbex sites, is a place of many names. It last operated as the QinetiQ Dive Test Centre, but was originally the Royal Navy Physiological Laboratory (although it was merged with and changed hands to many government authorities in between*). Indeed I counted no fewer than four posts on this forum sporting three different names for it:
@Aleesha3 in Aug '20 - Report - - Royal Navy diving and animal testing facility-Gosport- July 2020 | Military Sites
@mookster in October '20 - Report - - QinetiQ Alverstoke, Gosport October 2020 | Industrial Sites
@UrbexBee in November '21 - Report - - Royal Navy Diving & Animal Testing Facility - Hampshire - November 2021 | Military Sites
@TheRuminator in February '25 - Report - - RNPL Alverstoke, Feb '25 | Industrial Sites
Whatever its official name, most locals call it the ‘Goat Lab’.
The site dates back to the 1960s when the RNPL moved there from its site on Clayhall road. Its primary role was investigating the effects of decompression on the body, helping to set (among many things) submarine rescue protocols and the rate at which naval divers could safely ascend. Notable staff included Henry Hempleman, Peter Bennett and Brian Hills who did pioneering work into decompression and nitrogen narcosis.
To research decompression on the body though, you need a body to test it on. Goats had been used at Alverstoke as test subjects since the 1960s, chosen because decompression affects them similarly to humans. But the infamous reputation relates to a programme starting in the 1990s that ramped up their use around the turn of the millennium.
The site contained two hyperbaric chambers which simulated atmospheric pressure at 100m and 690m (see here for photos). The goats were herded into the chambers, after which the pressure was changed dramatically to see what would happen to them.
Between 2000 and 2006 alone around 400 experiments were carried out on goats. Six died in the experiments over that period and 122 more were euthanised afterwards. Locals who knew the site have described a separate building with pens, a dissection room and other clean rooms for post-mortem work.
The goats were eventually spared in March 2007 when the government was challenged on the practice by animal rights groups. On the 6th February 2008 the MoD told Parliament it no longer had an immediate need for live-goat testing, because the research requirement had been met and the remaining uncertainties covered events considered highly unlikely.
The site closed shortly after and has been left alone since. While there have been some plans for redevelopment it has been fiercely opposed by the locals. Today it is a favourite haunt of local teenagers. Indeed, if you want to find out the gossip of Gosport’s teenage residents look no further than the graffiti on the walls.
*Admiralty Marine Technology Establishment in 1977, then the Admiralty Research Establishment in 1984, the Defence Research Agency in 1991 and The Defence Evaluation and Research Agency in 1995.
Citations:
https://docs.planning.org.uk/20220707/114/REJFLJHOGLQ00/o0u6wg5r4s4nfgxh.pdf
Bubbly billygoat-bursting boffinry brouhaha at MoD
Bid for 16 homes in Gosport 'gated community' at former defence research site
Henry Valence Hempleman - Wikipedia
Peter Bennett
Brian Andrew Hills - Wikipedia
https://hansard.parliament.uk/Lords...020688000008/MinistryOfDefenceGoatExperiments
https://www.researchgate.net/public...Nervous_System_following_Hyperbaric_Exposures
The Explore
I stumbled across this cite completely by accident, driving back from Royal Haslar up the road in August '25. The site has no security but having been back several times since it's quite common to find the local youth rambling around it.
Recently there was an arson attempt at the site and it's falling apart more and more. Otherwise I'd say the site is broadly safe.
Wider Site
Main Office
The Hangar
Buildings around campus
Modern art?
Goat Holding Pens
Satanic Doritos
Tucked away opposite the Institute for Naval Medicine in Alverstoke sits a gem that, like some urbex sites, is a place of many names. It last operated as the QinetiQ Dive Test Centre, but was originally the Royal Navy Physiological Laboratory (although it was merged with and changed hands to many government authorities in between*). Indeed I counted no fewer than four posts on this forum sporting three different names for it:
@Aleesha3 in Aug '20 - Report - - Royal Navy diving and animal testing facility-Gosport- July 2020 | Military Sites
@mookster in October '20 - Report - - QinetiQ Alverstoke, Gosport October 2020 | Industrial Sites
@UrbexBee in November '21 - Report - - Royal Navy Diving & Animal Testing Facility - Hampshire - November 2021 | Military Sites
@TheRuminator in February '25 - Report - - RNPL Alverstoke, Feb '25 | Industrial Sites
Whatever its official name, most locals call it the ‘Goat Lab’.
The site dates back to the 1960s when the RNPL moved there from its site on Clayhall road. Its primary role was investigating the effects of decompression on the body, helping to set (among many things) submarine rescue protocols and the rate at which naval divers could safely ascend. Notable staff included Henry Hempleman, Peter Bennett and Brian Hills who did pioneering work into decompression and nitrogen narcosis.
To research decompression on the body though, you need a body to test it on. Goats had been used at Alverstoke as test subjects since the 1960s, chosen because decompression affects them similarly to humans. But the infamous reputation relates to a programme starting in the 1990s that ramped up their use around the turn of the millennium.
The site contained two hyperbaric chambers which simulated atmospheric pressure at 100m and 690m (see here for photos). The goats were herded into the chambers, after which the pressure was changed dramatically to see what would happen to them.
Between 2000 and 2006 alone around 400 experiments were carried out on goats. Six died in the experiments over that period and 122 more were euthanised afterwards. Locals who knew the site have described a separate building with pens, a dissection room and other clean rooms for post-mortem work.
The goats were eventually spared in March 2007 when the government was challenged on the practice by animal rights groups. On the 6th February 2008 the MoD told Parliament it no longer had an immediate need for live-goat testing, because the research requirement had been met and the remaining uncertainties covered events considered highly unlikely.
The site closed shortly after and has been left alone since. While there have been some plans for redevelopment it has been fiercely opposed by the locals. Today it is a favourite haunt of local teenagers. Indeed, if you want to find out the gossip of Gosport’s teenage residents look no further than the graffiti on the walls.
*Admiralty Marine Technology Establishment in 1977, then the Admiralty Research Establishment in 1984, the Defence Research Agency in 1991 and The Defence Evaluation and Research Agency in 1995.
Citations:
https://docs.planning.org.uk/20220707/114/REJFLJHOGLQ00/o0u6wg5r4s4nfgxh.pdf
Bubbly billygoat-bursting boffinry brouhaha at MoD
Bid for 16 homes in Gosport 'gated community' at former defence research site
Henry Valence Hempleman - Wikipedia
Peter Bennett
Brian Andrew Hills - Wikipedia
https://hansard.parliament.uk/Lords...020688000008/MinistryOfDefenceGoatExperiments
https://www.researchgate.net/public...Nervous_System_following_Hyperbaric_Exposures
The Explore
I stumbled across this cite completely by accident, driving back from Royal Haslar up the road in August '25. The site has no security but having been back several times since it's quite common to find the local youth rambling around it.
Recently there was an arson attempt at the site and it's falling apart more and more. Otherwise I'd say the site is broadly safe.
Wider Site
The Hangar
Modern art?
Goat Holding Pens
Satanic Doritos
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