Babies Castle, Kent Dec 2013 (Pic heavy)

After a unexpected phone call, I was down Eastbourne for the weekend, my mothers heating had packed up and we had decided it would be better for her to be up here for Christmas as it cant be fixed until the new year.
This was on my list of places to go (and to be honest I wish I knew about it years ago as it so trashed and unsafe.)
I got up early Sat morning and made my way there, it was easy to find and get in, but a warning for anyone thinking of going. Upstairs and down are very unsafe. there are very little flooring up and what is there down is completely rotten in places (Desks and cupboards have fallen through in places and its about a 3/4 foot drop) I nearly put my foot through at one point and just managed to get out in time.
Also, there are signs of people living there, one in the main roof space and someone in what I think was the living quarters of who ran the place.
I am not that pleased with my photos and am thinking of using my old bridge camera until I get someone to show me how to use my new one.
A bit of history which was borrowed from someone else
"In 1886, the largest Barnardo's home for orphans under six years old was built in Hawkhurst, caring for hundreds of babies. It was known as Babies' Castle. By 1965 the number of children in care at the Babies Castle had so reduced it was decided to finally close the orphanage. It was re-named 'Hawkhurst Castle' and became a private old people's nursing home, but in 2005 it was sold again for £1.7 million and planning permission was granted to turn it into flats, but this never happened."
http://www.goldonian.org/photos/photo_archive_homes/pages/babies_castle_england_.htm

The rest of my photos can be found here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/100221036@N06/sets/72157638888660093/

















left me hat in my car (used my daughters)

Attic doors








It's Christmas









a few rotten floors










A very strange place for a fire, right in front of a couple of doors

It was pouring down outside but managed to get some of the outside (You cant get anywhere near the front)








Thanks for looking

Can't see much wrong with these photos! Glad you got out okay though, it looks as if it's deteriorating fast.

tumble1 said:

Can't see much wrong with these photos! Glad you got out okay though, it looks as if it's deteriorating fast.

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Thanks for that. There was a door laying on the carpeted floor, as I stepped off the door the floor just gave way, I managed to get back on the door and into the corridor.
Look at the flickr set, the one of me and many others are very grainy (And some are not) and been told it could be "noise" did a google search (And youtube) and it looks like its all to do with the ISO settings. Will just have to stick with it and practice.

Wish I could give you some advice, but I'm a novice at this photography lark. Picking up useful tips from all you good people though!

The pics are fine, we can see what you want us to see so that's all that matters. It does look to be getting worse and worse in there each year though.

Use a tripod, keep the ISO as low as possible for less noise. Low ISO tends to mean longer exposure shots hence the need for a tripod.
Try to not use the flash. I get better results lighting up the area with a torch and light painting. (Imagine taking a photo with a 10 second exposure, while taking the pic shine your torch on everything). Practice this though, it's a bit of an art.

Nice one Shay! Great set. Looks like a right shit hole, glad you came out of it alright.
I could give you plenty of photography advice, however, there is no need, you've done a fine job in capturing this place. You won't get any stick for these......

UE-OMJ said:

The pics are fine, we can see what you want us to see so that's all that matters. It does look to be getting worse and worse in there each year though.

Use a tripod, keep the ISO as low as possible for less noise. Low ISO tends to mean longer exposure shots hence the need for a tripod.
Try to not use the flash. I get better results lighting up the area with a torch and light painting. (Imagine taking a photo with a 10 second exposure, while taking the pic shine your torch on everything). Practice this though, it's a bit of an art.

Click to expand...

I was using a tripod and had the ISO on 200, I was using a P7.2 for the first time (Also got a P7) did not even think of using a long exposure and shine the torch in different places, will try that out during the week at night in the house and outside (If dry) I have a quick release on the tripod and took the camera off for some of the shots.
Thanks for the tip

Your right its looking really dodgy your photos are ace.

photos are fine.with my weight i would have definately gone through the floor!!! safe christmas to all

Nothing wrong with the photos at all - its a concise set and we can see everything as you saw it which is what its all about !

Definatly for darker places, try lightpainting and long exposure instead of flash or torch / short exposure as UE suggested. It isn't an exact science and practice makes perfect as they say but you're basically looking for a nice, even spread of light throughout the photo.

Dropping your ISO to its lowest point helps eliminating noise too but it is also dependant on your f stop being used / exposure time so it really does need practising. 99% of my stuff is lightpainted so give us a shout if you want.

Good photos but my god what a shit hole!!! And it's more christmassy there than my house hahaha

just a festive admonishment from a motherly type....BE CAREFUL!!!! I almost got buried under half a mansion the other day. Nobody would have known for months. It seemed safe (ish) when I was inside, a week later it had completely collapsed. If exploring solo ***always*** tell someone where you are going!! Sure you can look after yourself Mr Plan, just to younger or more inexperienced explorers cos this place sounds really quite dangerous

I agree, I do sometimes think I should have someone with me but most of the time it's not possible, I always tell my family where I'm going and my daughter has a apt which pinpoints me (all we'll and good if I have signal)
I have to say, this was the worse place I have been to yet, the floors in the places I went the weekend before were bad but you could see that, but here the carpets were hiding it and in most places it was very dark. I am not saying not to go there as there are some interesting bits but if you do, be aware and take care. (And take a friend)

You did well to get around in there at all. Babies is one of the most dodgy (and seriously creepy) places I've been in. Looks great from the outside but terrible inside.

I always fly solo also... not saying to always have someone else there, that would never do for us loner types just tell someone where to the collapsed place just bought it home to me how frigging dangerous this can be I think, and there are lots of excited newbies ere who may need reminding

This is just up the road from my nan's. I drove past it a couple of weeks ago and was saddened by how derelict it had now become. It's always been a landmark when driving to visit my nan.
My mum remembers it as Babies Castle and i remember seeing it when i was a child as the old peoples home.
Great pics