History
The Grand Hotel was built in 1938 in the Art Deco style to provide accommodation for holiday-makers in the popular seaside resort of Sandown on the South East coast of the Isle of Wight.
During the 2nd world war the basement of the hotel was used as the Isle of Wight control centre for the P.L.U.T.O. pipeline which transferred fuel supplies under the English Channel to allied forces in France.
The hotel closed it's doors in 2013 and planning permission has now been granted for demolition of the building and replacement by a modern hotel.
The Explore
The Grand had been on our radar for several years since it's closure.. Surrounded by popular tourist attractions and a busy beachside promenade daytime visits were an impossibility, so it was late on a wet and windy night that I first discovered the access point to for this imposing hotel. A quick reckie that night was followed by a proper visit with camera equipment, accompanied by Truffle Pig, a few days later.
Despite searching every nook and cranny we couldn't find access to the basement, and P.L.U.T.O. control rooms. Presumed permanently sealed.
The Pictures
And the roof shot
The Grand Hotel was built in 1938 in the Art Deco style to provide accommodation for holiday-makers in the popular seaside resort of Sandown on the South East coast of the Isle of Wight.
During the 2nd world war the basement of the hotel was used as the Isle of Wight control centre for the P.L.U.T.O. pipeline which transferred fuel supplies under the English Channel to allied forces in France.
The hotel closed it's doors in 2013 and planning permission has now been granted for demolition of the building and replacement by a modern hotel.
The Explore
The Grand had been on our radar for several years since it's closure.. Surrounded by popular tourist attractions and a busy beachside promenade daytime visits were an impossibility, so it was late on a wet and windy night that I first discovered the access point to for this imposing hotel. A quick reckie that night was followed by a proper visit with camera equipment, accompanied by Truffle Pig, a few days later.
Despite searching every nook and cranny we couldn't find access to the basement, and P.L.U.T.O. control rooms. Presumed permanently sealed.
The Pictures
And the roof shot
