Derelict shell of Hill House & Harford Farm

 

Derelict shell of Hill House & Harford Farm

Explored April 2021 Naked Score of 31 (See Below) Library ref: 5

 

Peering and looking out over the A47 is this mysterious rotten, unloved house accompanied by several mixed farm buildings next to it.

                                        

 

I did wonder if I should have this report in two parts, split with the House and Farm and the fact they appear to be unconnected by name, the House is called Hill House and the farm is, Harford Farm but just going to cram them in together to be lazy.  This is a well-known and explored location and from previous reports can see the site evolving more into decay, crumbling away. Time soon for it to be saved, hopefully.

 

The Find.

 

Spotted this house from the road and instantly gasmmed and put it on my list. Had to do a bit of homework on how to get near to it as there is no clear routes or roads.

 

History.

 

Due to it being a well visited sight and thanks to previous explores doing their homework, I didn’t need to do much to find out info on the site. The house is more of the enigma, so I did some digging to add to what’s already out there. The House appears to have been built between 1910/12 compare this to the oldest part of the farm buildings that date pre 1870s. The area has had several Roman and Saxon finds. There is a lost abandoned Village of Markshall and Church along with ancient Saxon Cemetery that was within a mile of the buildings to the north, this was excavated in the early '90s and the finds including Jewellery is now safe in Norwich Museum. The old farm building was last used as a large fruit farm shop. It looks like with the construction of the A47 in the 1990s it sealed the death of the shop as it cut of access to its road, the house abandoned at the same time.

 

The Explore.

 

Wanted to time this with the sunset to get a warm reddish glow, I did mange this, but it meant I had to rush around before it got to dark so undoubtedly missed a few things and hurt the quality.

 

After the walk up through farmland I came up to the House first. There are many ways in, the best one is by a large hole in the side of the wall that you can just walk into. This led into a large room that had a large arch that split the room to the adjoining main living room. The floors were cluttered with items and rubbish that may well have been from fly tipping but could well be the last owners left items.  Next to here is what’s left of Kitchen, this along with the units have all been destroyed.

 

 

Going upstairs was a treat, there was remains of the carpet, lime green with mould. Nothing but rotten beams left of the floor, not very safe to explore around the bedrooms so could only peer into the bedrooms from afar.

 

Back down, there was a large back garden that had some rotten old sheds overgrown by bramble and signs of a section of the house that had long collapsed.

 

Heading out back through the open hole you walk a short distance to the farm buildings, passing the large silos on the way. There appears to be three large buildings still standing. The oldest and worse off looking was the farm shop. Access was to step over part of the collapsed wall and into the dark empty storage area. Coming outside and along is the more modern looking shed that looks to be in good condition and contained some farm equipment and tractor. There was what looked like a recently parked car sitting there but no sign of anyone.

 

With light failing and battery failing I never got to take any photos of the last shed that was mostly roofless and empty.

 

 

Naked Explore Rating

 

Ease of Access 8 – Was a brisk walk across a few fields then the buildings were wide open. No fences or security at the time of explore. There is an easy walk on an old road that takes you right to it, didn’t know this at the time.

 

History 6 – The buildings don’t have much historical merit to them but the area certainly dose with the nearby roman and Saxon finds and the lost church. If ever go back would have a look at that spot.

 

Danger/Safety 6 – The house, from what’s left of the roof it could collapse at any minute and what’s left of the upstairs floor couldn’t really take my weight so had to be careful. The farm area was much safer but may be hazardous wastes and one shed is clearly made from asbestos.

 

Harassment 5 – No one around for miles. Apart from the fields, it doesn’t look like anyone uses the farm buildings except for the car sitting outside it looking like it was just parked made me think I wasn’t alone.

 

Interesting 6 – Loved this place. The house is in a fantastic, dilapidated state with lots to nosey at and the farm buildings are large with plenty to explore. 

 

Naked Rating of 31 out of 50

House of Music near Whittlesey

 The House of Music near Whittlesey

Explored 6/04/2021 Naked Score of 34 (See Below) Library ref: 3

All alone amidst the flat fens near Whittlesey, we have this interesting derelict house. 

 

 

(Zoom into the window here looks like a reflection of someone yet there is no glass)

Explored Solo in April 2021 then again with another Urbex Champion.  This is an interesting one as it has been clearly used by a band to do rehearsals. They have soundproofed some of the rooms and left a lot of their equipment, such as massive, huge speakers. Even out here miles from anything I’m sure someone would have heard those blasting out at 11.

 

Little History

Trying to search out its history was a task. Not a lot of information out there. It first appears on a 1924 map with a now lost boundary wall that was gone by the 1950s. The farm across the road has a lot more history and it's very likely that they are or were owned by the same family.

 

The Find

Came upon this find by happily driving around. Saw it miles before I reached it and stopped to explore without hesitation.

The Explore

Lovely day for exploring and took my time to look around. At a parking spot right next to the building, you can walk over the old garden right up to the building.  Walking right round the building takes a minute as it’s a small house. The entrance is round the back and just next to the entrance is a small outhouse that’s not of much use.

As you enter you go into what must have been the kitchen, notice it has no modern build only a sink, and fireplace, rest of the room was full of random large old cupboards. The next room has a lovely piano in the corner that was in good condition along with bits and pieces such as drum stands.

Moving into the main living room you find more pieces of music equipment, speakers, and mic stands and the room has been insulated with polystyrene for soundproofing.

 

The place must have been used by a band. I found one flyer for a Sammy Jay Cordes, looking her up she seems to be a talented busker in London, why she would be in a tiny house miles away in the Fens to rehearse is anyone’s guess. 

Upstairs there were another 2 bedrooms with much of the same music equipment, in one had documents and bills dated from 2005 for a different address, that I thought was odd. The bathroom was in a smashed-up state, so no business could be had in there.

Good day out here and mystery to be solved of who used this place to rock the night away.

 

Naked Explore Rating

 

Ease of Access 9 – Nice drive and an easy parking spot right outside. The building can be accessed around the back through a missing door. Only a loose bit of boarding hanging where the door used to be.

History 3 – Nothing of note. Near 100-year-old House.

Danger/Safety 8 – Building seems sound. Might step on a nail, apart from that it's safe.

Harassment 7 – A working farm is right across the road however on the day I went there was nobody about.

Interesting 7  –  Higher points due to the mystery of its use as a rehearsal space along with location and the bits and pieces left behind.

                                                     Naked Rating of 34 out of 50