Atomic Weapons Research Establishment - Oct - 2011

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Derelict-UK

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This was a great opportunity, to see one of England's most unusual man made nature reserves.

Orford Ness has a military use ever since 1913 and has been bombed and tested so many times, there may never be a time when you will know where all the unexploded bombs lie.

In it's heyday the island has been the proud site for the invention of Radar. They also stress tested both our Nuclear bombs to the point of destruction. The Pagoda's were built in a manner that if the bombs (minus the fissile material) did explode, the explosion would be funneled upwards and the shingle on top of the roof would collapse on to the area to contain any contamination.

ALL the information you will ever need on this place can be found below,

http://www.talkurbex.com/2010/10/a-...t-atomic-weapons-research-establishment-awre/

With thanks to Digital-Nomad from Talk Urbex & The National Trust for allowing us on site for 8 hours of enjoyment!!

On with my pics (and there are a few!)...

A Birds eye view of the site taken in 1965, you can see the bomb craters from many years of practice bombing...

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1. This is Lab 4 aka one of the 'Pagoda's' in the early morning sun...
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2. Lab 5
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3. One of the various tracks used to prevent the vehicles from sinking into the shingle...
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4. Lab 5
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5.
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6. Lab 6 to the right with Lab 5 just ahead
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7. Lab 4
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8. A room inside Lab 4
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9. Bomb testing chamber inside Lab 4
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10.
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11. Lab 4.
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12. Inside the centrifuge in Lab 6.
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13. Looking out from the Control Room to Labs 5 & 6
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14.
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15.
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16. A metal dump from scrap dealers who visited during the 90's, off limits now due to protected species and unknown whereabouts of sunken bombs (Lab 2 in the background)
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17. The Armoury
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18.
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19. I have a new love for shooting into the Sun! From Right to left, Lab 6, Lab 5, Lab 4 & Lab 2.
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Continued in the next post...
 
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20. Lab 2.
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21. Inside Lab 2
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22.
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23.
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24.
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25. Inside Lab 3 which was a thermal testing unit to put the bombs under extreme heat tests
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26.
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27.
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28. Looking out towards Lab 1.
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29. Lab 3, Lab 2 & Lab 4 in the distance.
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30. The rear of Lab 1
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31.
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32. Military Police HQ/Black Beacon
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33.
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34.
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35. This original watch tower was, along with the lighthouse, the first structures to be built on the island, dating back to 1925!
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36. Due to it's location, the lighthouse cannot be saved, the unexploded ordnance together with the marshland under the shingle mean it would not be worth attempting to 'slide it back' and save it. Therefor it will be swallowed up by the sea.
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37.
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38.
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39.
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40. I am not sure what this is for, maybe contacting another universe?
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D-UK
 
Stunning set of photo's and a brilliant report , love the headstone shot and the sureal landscape of the place. What a place to go round. Must see if I can go some time. :)
 
Quality stuff...for a moment there looking at the title I thought this would be the live one in Tadley:lol:
 
Thanks for the comments, it took long enough to process 30+ images!

If anyone gets the chance, I would highly recommend going. Though make sure it is the unrestricted one as the normal trails don't include the Pagoda's/main nuclear side.
 
Wow -"explosive" stuff D-UK! :mrgreen:;)

Really enjoyed looking at these pics. Thought it seemed a bit odd seeing such structures in this Country -they look like they should be in America! :lol:

Ta very much for posting :)

P.s. I reckon that King Al should post a reply, just because of the relevance of his Avatar / Sig. picture!!!
 
Bloody hell! What a cracking place and I bet you had lots of fun their for 8 hours!

This just made my must see list :)
 
Been here many a time, but these photos have reminded me to go again! Ave report, and a set of pics you should be well proud of!
 

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