Visited solo.
I'm really, really not used to solo exploring. I have a penchant for crumbling at the slightest hint of danger (security mostly), but I really didn't want to waste the little time I had to explore! So after a morning bimbling round scrapyards, I end up here. This one's probably the hottest new site I've seen on the UK exploring scene since Berkyn in terms of traffic, and rightfully so. Beautifully ornate throughout, plenty of unaltered features from when it was built, and with a perfect level of decay; I found it pretty amazing to see a lot the place still powered up like the day it left yet other areas the floors have collapsed! But who's paying the electricity bill I wonder? The owner hasn't exactly made themselves known! Closed since 1997, I bring you the Sheffield Courthouse, a brilliant timewarp of the Victorian era.
Because I was on my own I was bound to be a little worried, but it has to be said that whilst getting in isn't difficult, it's bloody noisy and embarrassing! I dithered for a bit outside until someone came up to me from nearby:
Him- "Do you want to go in there and take pictures?"
Me - "Yeah, just come over here from Manchester."
Him- "OK, go for it. I've seen about 5 people come out this morning!"
Nevertheless, after nearly falling and making a hell of a noise I was in. Brilliant. I took time to familiarise myself with my surroundings (given it's in the city centre you can hear clear voices, making it difficult to discern whether anyone is inside or not). It took a while to realise there was no-one inside the building with me, although looking around there were clear signs of people using it as a hideout, not to mention hearing plenty of voices there was more than one time where I bolted to another part of the place thinking there was someone just loitering round the corner! This meant that I covered every key part, but at the same time I could've done a better job capturing certain parts instead of running from one place to another.
The biggest disappointment of the day, however, came in the form of the clocktower. I love clocktowers. But alas, this was not to be; anyone who's explored with me knows I have a phobia of flapping pigeons. In the mighty duel battle of being able to see the clocktower without having a mouthful of feathers and clothes covered in shit, the pigeon won! Using utterly ridiculous methods I attempted to lure the pigeon out of the clocktower and get him to leave, but this was to no avail; the pigeon ended up flying further up the clocktower. Bollocks!
Whilst inspecting the bowels of the court, I found something pretty amazing! This passage, though long since bricked up led into the cellar of the pub next door, supposedly forming a wide ranging and intricate range of underground tunnels which were used as a clandestine way of getting round the city. Mindblowing!
And to conclude, the ubiquitous cells, unaltered since they were built.
On a final note, I wouldn't quite call it an all-time favourite, but seeing stuff like this pop up on the exploring network is really positive; for all the talk about the exploring scene in the UK being as sparsely decorated as a cherry tree in winter, places like this breathe new life into it. It'll be interesting to see what will happen with the place in a few years time though, with it's poor condition and lack of attention from the owner.
Love as always,
Ps. Every time I try to do a selfie looking like a hard arse I fail miserably, so I smiled instead lol
I'm really, really not used to solo exploring. I have a penchant for crumbling at the slightest hint of danger (security mostly), but I really didn't want to waste the little time I had to explore! So after a morning bimbling round scrapyards, I end up here. This one's probably the hottest new site I've seen on the UK exploring scene since Berkyn in terms of traffic, and rightfully so. Beautifully ornate throughout, plenty of unaltered features from when it was built, and with a perfect level of decay; I found it pretty amazing to see a lot the place still powered up like the day it left yet other areas the floors have collapsed! But who's paying the electricity bill I wonder? The owner hasn't exactly made themselves known! Closed since 1997, I bring you the Sheffield Courthouse, a brilliant timewarp of the Victorian era.
Because I was on my own I was bound to be a little worried, but it has to be said that whilst getting in isn't difficult, it's bloody noisy and embarrassing! I dithered for a bit outside until someone came up to me from nearby:
Him- "Do you want to go in there and take pictures?"
Me - "Yeah, just come over here from Manchester."
Him- "OK, go for it. I've seen about 5 people come out this morning!"
Nevertheless, after nearly falling and making a hell of a noise I was in. Brilliant. I took time to familiarise myself with my surroundings (given it's in the city centre you can hear clear voices, making it difficult to discern whether anyone is inside or not). It took a while to realise there was no-one inside the building with me, although looking around there were clear signs of people using it as a hideout, not to mention hearing plenty of voices there was more than one time where I bolted to another part of the place thinking there was someone just loitering round the corner! This meant that I covered every key part, but at the same time I could've done a better job capturing certain parts instead of running from one place to another.
The biggest disappointment of the day, however, came in the form of the clocktower. I love clocktowers. But alas, this was not to be; anyone who's explored with me knows I have a phobia of flapping pigeons. In the mighty duel battle of being able to see the clocktower without having a mouthful of feathers and clothes covered in shit, the pigeon won! Using utterly ridiculous methods I attempted to lure the pigeon out of the clocktower and get him to leave, but this was to no avail; the pigeon ended up flying further up the clocktower. Bollocks!
Whilst inspecting the bowels of the court, I found something pretty amazing! This passage, though long since bricked up led into the cellar of the pub next door, supposedly forming a wide ranging and intricate range of underground tunnels which were used as a clandestine way of getting round the city. Mindblowing!
And to conclude, the ubiquitous cells, unaltered since they were built.
On a final note, I wouldn't quite call it an all-time favourite, but seeing stuff like this pop up on the exploring network is really positive; for all the talk about the exploring scene in the UK being as sparsely decorated as a cherry tree in winter, places like this breathe new life into it. It'll be interesting to see what will happen with the place in a few years time though, with it's poor condition and lack of attention from the owner.
Love as always,
Ps. Every time I try to do a selfie looking like a hard arse I fail miserably, so I smiled instead lol
