Bear Manor :) Sept 2012

Derelict Places

Help Support Derelict Places:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

UE-OMJ

Veteran Member
Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2012
Messages
1,500
Reaction score
2,295
Location
Stevenage
Aka Bessingham Manor - affectionately known as Bear Manor as one of the last occupants actually kept a bear there for a while! :eek:

As is the norm lately, work had sent me to Norwich so a trip here seemed in order after we had finished. I had a colleague with me this time who seemed a bit out of place climbing into an old building like this, but I think he enjoyed the experience and the building though :)

The last Spurrell owner, Edmund Denham Spurrell, is described as having been a bit of an eccentric. He used to keep a bear at the manor which one day escaped and attacked one of the housemaids.


It appears the house is destined to be demolished and rebuilt - so sad really, but it is in a very poor state inside.

After Edmund D Spurrell's passing in 1952 the nine-bedroom house was sold but it soon became apparent that urgently required repairs would be far too costly. Ever since that time the grand house has stood empty.


The derelict structure was put on the market and has recently been sold to developers who plan to recreate the grandeur of the old manor. This will be achieved by demolishing and then rebuilding with reclaimed materials, following the original 19th century architectural drawings. Original plans to restore the existing building to its former glory ground to a halt when a structural report revealed too many problems: a restoration would cost far more than the building would ever be worth.


We got to the house at early evening, the sun was low in the sky and it made for some really nice lighting both inside and out. I hope my photos do the place justice.


mini-1.jpg




This little chap and is friends kept us on our toes...

mini-2.jpg


mini-3.jpg




As you can see, there isnt really any decent access to upstairs...

mini-4.jpg


mini-5.jpg




And to be fair, there really isnt much of an upstairs left!

mini-6.jpg




Into the kitchen...

mini-7.jpg


mini-8.jpg


mini-9.jpg


mini-10.jpg


mini-11.jpg




Looking up from the kitchen you can see all the way up to the roof!!!

mini-12.jpg


mini-13.jpg




We think this was the bathroom...

mini-14.jpg


mini-15.jpg




Arriving at some more stairs, we cant go up, so lets head down into the basement...

mini-16.jpg


mini-17.jpg


mini-18.jpg


mini-19.jpg


mini-20.jpg


mini-21.jpg




Looking up, longing to get up there but no safe access to be found :(

mini-22.jpg




This room was the best in the house, not much rot in here...

mini-23.jpg


mini-24.jpg


mini-25.jpg


mini-26.jpg


mini-27.jpg




Some of the personal bits we found left behind...

mini-28.jpg


mini-29.jpg


mini-30.jpg


mini-31.jpg


mini-32.jpg


mini-33.jpg


mini-34.jpg




A final shot of the stairs before heading back out...

mini-35.jpg


mini-36.jpg


mini-37.jpg


mini-38.jpg




Thanks for looking...
 
Best shots ive seen of the place! :)
Glad you went with the name Bear Manor ;)
gives it a little edge, especially love the stairs and the sofa window shot!

Good job matey! :D
 
Great pics dude, you've really captured the building well I think.

Has somebody started to try and save her? I noticed the stairs are propped up?
 
It is surprising that after all these years silly things remain intact, such as the whisks and cheese grater in the kitchen.

In the introduction you say it has remained empty since 1952, just curious as to the filing cabinets. They don't seem to be of that era, I'm guessing 70's at the earliest.

Oh and the picture of the people in the chairs, the chap on the left lokks very uncomfortable and I don't think it's the chair!
 
The yellow sofa and chairs too so comfy, maybe even for a quick power nap during the explore?

Excellent pics as always!
 
A nice selection of images its nice to see the smaller details I missed.

In the introduction you say it has remained empty since 1952, just curious as to the filing cabinets. They don't seem to be of that era, I'm guessing 70's at the earliest.

There were lots of newspapers from the 70's on the floor. Dates on homemade jam certainly not from the 50s I cant remember what tho. Also I'm no fashion expert but the clothes in the wardrobe upstairs are more 70's than 50's.

Thinking of other products I see I think it had residents in the 80's.
 
Last edited:
wot an exciting little mooch!

that fire place and book shelves just look mad up there with the floor missing!

i really like the look of this place from ur shots, thanx for sharing:)
 
Shame its in that state, it must have been a grand place in its day. still looks like a great little mooch. thanks for sharing:)
 

Latest posts

Back
Top