Derelict, Romantic and Mysterious

Post by **johnriley1uk** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 5:54 pm

Isn't there a certain Romantic Mystery surrounding an inaccesible ruin? Right on our doorstep lies the mouldering ruin of Peel Hall, not lived in for at least 50 years and now beyond hope. I was talking to the owner today as i roamed the area taking Images of England pictures, but he didn't want it photographed and said it was too dangerous to approach.

The very mystery of that unknown building, only visible as tantalising glimpses of chimney tops over the surrounding woodlands, is almost too much to bear!

I shall now have to go hunting in local history archives to see if I can find some pictures....How exciting! :D

Post by **Mike** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 7:46 am

I voted no but only because I would say that ruined old buildings are interesting but not more interesting than other buildings generally. I think there is a certain romance about a misty field with a ruin in the distance. Have you any photos at all of peel hall from a distance to show us?

Post by **johnriley1uk** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 6:02 pm

Not at the moment, but this weekend I will see if anything can be seen from the elevation of the Bridgewater Canal. This is raised over the height of the surrounding land, as you know, and it runs very close to Peel Hall.

Andy · Post by **Andy** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 8:04 pm

IMHO it depends on the style of the buildings. There are some modern buildings (I don't know their names) that look wonderful. Having seen some slides that Mike and the other architects produced, I must admit that I like modern architecture. On the other hand, some are incredibly crap but then again that applies to some of the older buildings.

However, I also agree with JohnR that there is a ''certain romantic mystery surrounding an inaccessible ruin''. I like nothing more than going to visit the National Trust and I love the fact that on many of my walks through Dunham I always seem to encounter another outhouse.

Personally I would go for the older building. My house is a 1930s build and is incredibly massive compared to modern ''Mews'' houses that are currently on the market. Apparently that is all down to the fact that these new houses have en suites, etc, so the actual space is the same but there are more rooms so it appears smaller. In truth, I love my bay windows and the pokey cupboard under the stairs. It makes it seem a great deal more interesting. I don't think that I could ever live in these new ''budgy boxes'' (modern town houses). I like to have a bit of history connected to a place because it makes it seem a lot more interesting.

I never knew about Peel house which I feel is wrong. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. I often think that we should be made aware of our local history in primary and secondary schools because it would probably mean that people would respect their area more.

mr_e · Post by **mr_e** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 9:04 pm

Disused buildings are slightly poignant in a way, purely because of the physical and social history bound up in them that's slowly being lost. Just as well we've got photos of most of them.

Post by **Mike** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 10:16 pm

There is also something majestic about really old buildings because those are the ones that people want to preserve. After all I don't think that you would find the slums surviving 400 years. . . .

Andy · Post by **Andy** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:53 am

Mike wrote:After all I don't think that you would find the slums surviving 400 years. . . .

When we went to Edinburgh we actually went underneath the city to where they had found and preserved parts of the ancient city. It was a truly awe-inspiring sight but in all honesty, they were nowhere near as grand or as majestic as a stately home.

Post by **Mike** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 1:25 pm

Did you go to St Marys Close too then. I liked that tour very much!

Andy · Post by **Andy** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 4:00 pm

Mike wrote:Did you go to St Marys Close too then. I liked that tour very much!

Yes, I thought it was ace.

When we went there had just discovered another area and showed us this house which was in immaculate condition!

However, we could not go into it because the wallpaper (I know wallpaper from back then!) had been stuck to the walls using a highly flammable substance, can't remember what, and it was not safe to go inside. We had to gawp from the door and gawp we did.

P.S. I think it was wallpaper but I am sure that I will be corrected. Anway, it did the same job as wallpaper does, i.e. it was a patterned surface on the wall!

Post by **Mike** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 7:42 am

I remember that house. It had arsnic colouring on the wall to make it a vivid green! Lizzie loves that place, I think she will be going there again sometime soon. . . . on an undisclosed trip for a hen night maybe???? It would of course be a surprise hen night so I can not mention it! :D

PS Someone has already given the game away on that one so I will not get into trouble, I hope!

Andy · Post by **Andy** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 3:23 pm

That was it. I knew it must have been something. Imagine living there! How dangerous! I find it fascinating to learn the different techniques that previous generations used.

A hen night in Edinburgh. Hmmmmm, sounds interesting Lizzie.

Fez · Post by **Fez** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 5:04 pm

there's a derelict castle in abergele, wales, that i've always been drawn to. i say derelict because unlike most medeval castles this one has been fenced off as a danger to the public. the last i heard, it had been bought by an american buisness man with grand plans to renervate it and turn it into some sort of hotel - that was ten years ago and since then a local lad has started a campaign to buy the place back so it can be reopened as an ancient monument.

Post by **johnriley1uk** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 5:31 pm

You mean Gwrych castle, a Victorian folly.

I've been inside the place when it was in good order, and a very fine building it was as well. There used to be local events held there, even jousting!

Locals will know the way in....

Post by **Mike** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 7:17 pm

I was going to say, it is still used by the locals. Of the young and boozing variety! It is an interesting place to see. I have walked around that castle a few times and it always makes me want to wander around it. I bet it would probably fall on my head though.

rileyuk.co.uk

Derelict, Romantic and Mysterious

Are old buildings even more exciting as ruins?

Derelict, Romantic and Mysterious