Tales of the Urban Explorer: The Duke of Bridgewater

in Urban Exploration10 months ago (edited)

We had arrived in Stoke-On-Trent, the land of pottery or should I say the now wasteland of what was.

The home of the pottery industry in England, it is known as The Potteries. It is a centre for service industries and distribution centres; it formerly had a primarily heavy industry sector.

Source

Note the word, 'formerly'. Stoke was looking ripe for some explores and we had a big list prepared with ‘Aladdin’s Cave being first on the hit list.

39_IMG_5546_39.jpg

“That pub looks a little suspect”, I mentioned to @anidiotexplores while trying to park relatively close to our target. ‘The Duke of Bridgewater’ was looking forlorn and that gate and wall next to it, extremely climbable.

36_IMG_5542_36.jpg

Being open and busy, it's generally luck and speed that you need when getting into a secure area. If the cops happen to drive by then you are fucked, but the public just tends to stare and keep driving in their cars.

34_IMG_5540_34.jpg

I am not particularly quick at jumping over walls but do OK for someone my age. We navigated it with relative ease and were in the ground, safe from eyes in under a minute.

I was surprised to find the building is Grade II listed (which means it can’t be demolished and is a fucking burden to the owner). This article highlights that it has been closed for over a decade and is 'vulnerable'.

The 'vulnerable' part of this means there's a big hole in the side of the yard next to all the shit that has been dumped. I can tell you that hole was not there during our visit which is several months after the publication.

We edged around the back where one has to be of a certain skinniness level to progress. The wall of the pub and an ancient gate made of cast iron and sporting 'sticky-out spikes' made us both breathe in and shuffle along delicately before approaching the back door.

33_IMG_5539_33.jpg

Ah lovely, but how many cream cakes did I digest the night before, and who’s on the other side of that door waiting to stamp on my face?

@anidiotexplores went first, on his back, and scraped through. It did require some effort but this is all part of the fun. Not having much to grab hold of farside doesn't help and my partner-in-crime was already exploring and not waiting about for me!

1_IMG_5506_1.jpg

…'fully expect to get loose stones and glass shards settling into your hair and back if you need to edge in this way. It's advisable to keep your Sunday best attire safely in the wardrobe at home'…'

I don't have any qualms about divulging all this detailed information as it's NINE months old. It's doubtful this is the current way in, even if there still is one.

2_IMG_5507_2.jpg

3_IMG_5508_3.jpg

According to the article linked above, ‘The Duke of Bridgewater' had not been burnt yet and so far that seemed true enough. I was dismayed to see even the TV's sported cocks.

4_IMG_5509_4.jpg

Yes, I could see it was going to be one of those 'manly' explores, full to the brim with male members.

5_IMG_5510_5.jpg

We made for the stairs using the ‘go from the top down’ method devised by @anidiotexplores. It's kind of worn on to me subconsciously. The DVDs were looking a little blue.

6_IMG_5511_6.jpg

An idyllic spot; put your feet up, rest your head against the uncomfortable radiator, and take in the words all around.

7_IMG_5512_7.jpg

Someone does just that or did. You never can tell if the current 'free-renters' are still coming home every evening.

8_IMG_5513_8.jpg

9_IMG_5514_9.jpg

… and this is what they do while gazing at a long skinny blue cock.

10_IMG_5515_10.jpg

Uck, what a mess; they never do any cleaning up or even shove all the shit into one corner. We exited and went downstairs in search of the bar and maybe a pint or two.

11_IMG_5516_11.jpg

I can't say I was enamoured with the colour scheme. Royal blue tends to look quite tacky, and worse when laden with graffiti.

12_IMG_5517_12.jpg

Given the choice of beverage, this was a simple choice, though even the freshest bottle of Becks doesn't go down very well in my system.

13_IMG_5518_13.jpg

Given the level of devastation, I was surprised to see intact glasses. There were more besides this example.

14_IMG_5519_14.jpg

Look at that door, so creepy. There could be a knife-wielding assassin on the far side. It would have made for a better picture if so, with all the shadowing. You can’t have it all I suppose.

15_IMG_5520_15.jpg

16_IMG_5522_16.jpg

The obsession with penises continued in the bar area. Vaginas are so much more difficult to draw for the average mindless destructive wanker with a marker pen.

18_IMG_5524_18.jpg

19_IMG_5525_19.jpg

20_IMG_5526_20.jpg

21_IMG_5527_21.jpg

It always surprises me to see books lying around in pubs. While it's true they can be used for simple décor, your average bloke isn't going to pick one up and become engrossed while drinking his pint.

22_IMG_5528_22.jpg

This room looked more interesting and appeared to be collected items ready for shipping out (that never made it).

23_IMG_5529_23.jpg

The note on the left is philosophical twaddle from what I can make out, the other one is quite undecipherable.

24_IMG_5530_24.jpg

Many books that could be donated to a library, but does anyone use libraries in today’s world? @jacobtothe could tell me more.

25_IMG_5531_25.jpg

It is the same writer, but again not interesting to read. I should have dug harder and found something along the lines of ‘divorce settlement’. @grindle finds the best letters.

26_IMG_5532_26.jpg

What I see resembles the edge of a pool table, green gauze removed and replaced with a little glass.

27_IMG_5533_27.jpg

28_IMG_5534_28.jpg

Many more books on that top shelf. They were out of reach unless I stood on something.

29_IMG_5535_29.jpg

Looking at this, it appears there is a hole in the roof. I can’t remember seeing any on the second floor; very strange.

30_IMG_5536_30.jpg

The tool of artists and in many cases, idiots.

32_IMG_5538_32.jpg

31_IMG_5537_31.jpg

We headed toward the cellar and found it clear of anything besides this silver hose. Don't tell me it has been a grow or this is the first stage.

35_IMG_5541_35.jpg

37_IMG_5544_37.jpg

Upon leaving The Duke of Bridgewater’ I was thinking that wasn’t a bad start. ‘Aladdin’s Cave’ was close by and next on the list.

40_IMG_5548_40.jpg

It's not what you think it is but probably as interesting as this pub.

RedLine.png

Do you like posting your Urbex content and photography for FREE on Facebook and YouTube? I like to get some form of reward for my work and every time I create I do just that. Take a look at The Urbex Community on HIVE.

If you want to keep creating for FREE then ignore what you are reading. If you want to be like me and gain something other than BUGGER ALL for your work then click here and learn about posting on the HIVE blockchain.

RedLine.png

TalesLogo.JPG

All my 'Tales' content is easy to find on my personal website:
'Tales of the Urban Explorer'

RedLine.png


CurieCurator.jpg

RedLine.png

Drooling Maniac.JPG

If you found this article so invigorating that you are now a positively googly-eyed, drooling lunatic with dripping saliva or even if you liked it just a bit, then please upvote, comment, rehive, engage me or all of these things.

Sort:  

Stripper in the bar? Interesting!

Wallpaper stripper in the bar? Significantly less so.

I doubt any library wants a collection of old mildewed books. If books are clean and in decent condition, they usually get added to our fundraiser sale instead of the stacks, although there are occasional exceptions if we get something especially nice or which fills a gap in our collection. "Old" rarely equals "valuable," though, and you might be surprised how little most "first editions" fetch when that is often the only edition for crap literature.

You can guarantee they have all suffered from damp, this is the UK after all.., the land of much rain.

"Yes, I could see it was going to be one of those 'manly' explores, full to the brim with male members."

😂😂😂😂

That is a place close to what a psychiatric hospital looks like in an apocalyptic movie!!!

Grart article again @slobberchops friend!!!... Thanks for sharing!

!discovery 37
!VSC
!PIZZA
!BBH

@jlinaresp has sent VSC to @slobberchops

This post was rewarded with 0.1 VSC to support your work.
Join our photography communityVisual Shots
Check here to view or trade VSC Tokens
Be part of our Curation Trail


@jlinaresp ha enviado VSC a @slobberchops

Éste post fue recompensado con 0.1 VSC para apoyar tu trabajo.
Únete a nuestra comunidad de fotografía Visual Shots
Consulte aquí para ver o intercambiar VSC Tokens
Se parte de nuestro Trail de Curación


Uses: 16/25

That is a place close to what a psychiatric hospital looks like in an apocalyptic movie!!!

I have done a few of those, one of the solo. Quite un-nerving.. I tell you!

People are scared to draw vaginas in case they get misconstrued for being anarchists...

1685013073-picsay.jpg

I would welcome more Vagina pictures, it's all so one-sided. You do get the odd pair of tits mind you.

Lol, they are quite pleasing and easy to draw!!

You would think all these cock artists are girls or something? I can't see it myself.

Me neither, 'ware the men who obsessively draw cocks!

Man I love the structure of the exterior with the extra room created so the door faces the street. I can almost picture it being open before you get to the inside.

The phallic art is top notch in this one and I really can’t believe all those books have stayed on that shelf and not yet found their way into a fire.

So you have more buildings to explore in this hood in future chapters? I think I like your views and would like to subscribe to your newsletter!

So you have more buildings to explore in this hood in future chapters?

I do..., Stoke was a brand-new city and unexplored. I wish I could find more like this in a 60 mile radius. We did two visits and the booty was damned fine! There's a lot more to come.

That place must have stunk!!, I wonder why so many smackheads spray cocks on walls?

I'd like to meet melissa she seems a popular gal

That place must have stunk!!

Not that I remember, though I'm quite nose-blind these days due to all the shit-holes I visit.

I'd like to meet melissa she seems a popular gal

Easy to find, hang around the entrance for a few days.., you might get lucky.

back of the net LOL

Mindless waste of a good old pub, minds of idiots paint walls that look like elongated dicks.

Art of entry pretty good (stealth mode), unscathed once again..., another derelict site which is a shame, I think a good pint was pulled in placed like this.... once upon a time!

!BEER

I see this all the time, and have just got in from another of all this madness. How a place can fall to bits in just 2 years. I had 2 instance of just this today. Will tell you all about it around Feb '24, I'm that far behind!

Being behind is my middle name of late, will be sure to stumble across it somewhere along the line..., if we have electricity then 🙃

Melissa and Anya seem to get around don't they? They wanted everyone to know all of the rooms they had been in. Maybe that is their way of leaving a business card or something. That pool table looks like it is still in kind of good condition. Sad really. The way bar is written on that first door, I thought it was a lighted sign saying it was still open.

Melissa and Anya seem to get around don't they?

Do you think they are the cock artists? I was starting to think the graffiti drawers were all gay or something. It could well be a lot more destroyed than it's state last summer. As usual I am well behind.

Could be. Might be their way of advertising!

That's awesome! And they left you lots of reading material and some movies as well! Very col!
!CTP
!PIZZA
!LOL

Why was an insomniac shot by the police?
He was resisting a rest.

Credit: reddit
@slobberchops, I sent you an $LOLZ on behalf of @thebighigg

(4/8)

PLAY & EARN $DOOM

I couldn't help myself but admire the wall art. xD

Great to see its not burnt ! And I liked the greenscreen room - pretty handy for making all those youtube-DIY-how-to-fix-a-radiator videos. Fair size of place - could make a nice pub !

Another interesting exploration!

Speaking of books. there was a bar I used to frequent when I was in university called the Heorot and themed along similar lines as the name would suggest. They had bookshelves built into the wall at every table full of books. In true mead hall fashion there was very little light except for a fire and a few low (and hidden, to preserve the illusion I suppose) lights, but I did often see people sitting there reading while they drank their beer.

You would need stepladders to reach those books. I can understand the need for shelving but not when its 7 feet up.

The person who drew them is obviously obsessive with Melissa and her vagina :)

My only wish is that they stay away during our visits. Only met 'artists' once, but they were decent ones. One of them handed me a business card!

Thanks for another philosophical rumination on an old historical pub. I was fascinated to see so many books. Solzhenitsyn on the shelves: who would have thought it?! I do hope that some idiots don't try burn it down.

Solzhenitsyn on the shelves

I had to look him up, someone had some pointed viewpoints! While researching I didn't notice any, 'its gone up in flames' reports. It may be sealed now, hopefully.

https://leofinance.io/threads/rabihfarhat/re-rabihfarhat-w7q7gtpt
The rewards earned on this comment will go directly to the people ( rabihfarhat ) sharing the post on LeoThreads,LikeTu,dBuzz.

Congratulations, your post has been added to Pinmapple! 🎉🥳🍍

Did you know you have your own profile map?
And every post has their own map too!

Want to have your post on the map too?

  • Go to Pinmapple
  • Click the get code button
  • Click on the map where your post should be (zoom in if needed)
  • Copy and paste the generated code in your post (Hive only)
  • Congrats, your post is now on the map!

$WINE


Congratulations, @theguruasia You Successfully Shared 0.200 WINEX With @slobberchops.
You Earned 0.200 WINEX As Curation Reward.
You Utilized 2/4 Successful Calls.

wine_logo


Contact Us : WINEX Token Discord Channel
WINEX Current Market Price : 0.091


Swap Your Hive <=> Swap.Hive With Industry Lowest Fee (0.1%) : Click This Link
Read Latest Updates Or Contact Us

PIZZA!

$PIZZA slices delivered:
@jlinaresp(10/10) tipped @slobberchops
thebighigg tipped slobberchops

Congratulations @slobberchops! You have completed the following achievement on the Hive blockchain And have been rewarded with New badge(s)

You got more than 31500 replies.
Your next target is to reach 32000 replies.

You can view your badges on your board and compare yourself to others in the Ranking
If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word STOP


This post was shared and voted inside the discord by the curators team of discovery-it
Join our Community and follow our Curation Trail
Discovery-it is also a Witness, vote for us here
Delegate to us for passive income. Check our 80% fee-back Program

Who saved the glass on table amidst such devastation? I’m surprised as you.

I’ve not been in the cities, yet as devastated as that house could be, it’s still better than some cherished homes in some developing countries.

I’m a farmer in Africa, I converted all my earnings to HivePower so that I may be able to support my farm through my hive return earnings. I hope to get support and not devastation in hive blockchain, I want to do right things, and I stand to be corrected always.


Hey @slobberchops, here is a little bit of BEER from @joanstewart for you. Enjoy it!

We love your support by voting @detlev.witness on HIVE .

Looks like you guys aint the only one at here, people are trooping in doing all this garbage, the place is really messed up. The government should sell it off if they know they cant maintain it