Lion bricks / Ammo store, Scalford, Leics, Nov14

[The Wombat]

I found myself with a day free for exploring on my own, so had a mooch around the vale of Belvoir. Mixed luck with the day, but had a look round lockkeepers cottage, and this place. Nothing epic, but a curious place, especially as it was used by the MOD.


Lion bricks opened around 1875 and closed around WWII. The site was also used as a quarry. There are around 10 buildings of various states of decay in the woods, and a few cottages for the workers which are still occupied to this day.
In it’s final lease of life, the site was occupied by the MOD from 1940 to 1955 to store ammunitions. This would explain the large concrete posts which would have secured the site in its day.
There have been a number of proposals to re-develop the site over the years as a poultry farm and a caravan site, but all were declined. The latest proposal for a fishing lake and luxury log cabins was declined for a number of reasons.

If you got this far, well done

 

[HughieD]

Fascinating stuff...thanks for sharing.

 

[flyboys90]

Great site and so secluded,thanks for sharing.

 

[mockingbird]

interesting enough, like the 3rd shot down, something about it I guess

 

[tumble112]

Nice find, looks like the building had a narrow escape from the fallen tree in the second last photo.

 

[DirtyJigsaw]

Nice one, Some nice shots there!!

 

[UrbanX]

Nice one, nature is definitely winning!

 

[DarkMagpie91]

Where abouts is this place? Can you get near to it by car? If so, how long would it take to walk to? Thanks.

 

[Dirus_Strictus]

Where abouts is this place?.

This excellent report contains all the information one needs to find the place - and much easier to get into now that the barbed wire and fence mesh have disappeared. One of a number of similar stores around the UK that were used to store and issue small arms ammunition - packed for immediate use. In the late 60's it was still possible to find the odd damaged ammo box scattered around - the trees and undergrowth having not yet learnt the meaning of 'rampant growth'!

Interestingly as the Cold War developed, it seems that the Authorities started to stockpile other commodities instead of ammunitions. In 1958, whilst visiting Clumber Park (in Nottinghamshire) with my parents, we stumbled on a huge storage area - small open ended Nissen huts full of wooden crates holding brown glass winchester bottles or large metal oblong tins (much like the rusty ones seen in the above photographs). Years later through my work I realised the chemicals were probably suppressant foam additives and decontaminating agents - the site being a Civil Defence Storage facility.

 

[HughieD]

Where abouts is this place? Can you get near to it by car? If so, how long would it take to walk to? Thanks.

PM-ed you...

 

[krela]

PM-ed you...

Gah don't give information to people who break the forum rules! Lol.

Darkmagpie don't ask for information like that in public again please. It's the number one rule here.

 

[DarkMagpie91]

But if you want to explore for yourself, how are you meant to find out if you don't know the location? I've read the forum rules already, but I don't understand how you can post pictures of where the places are but not tell people how to get there if they want to go?

 

[krela]

Ask via private message or figure it out for yourself.

 

[HughieD]

Gah don't give information to people who break the forum rules! Lol.

Darkmagpie don't ask for information like that in public again please. It's the number one rule here.

Oooooops, sorry.

 

[The Wombat]

But if you want to explore for yourself, how are you meant to find out if you don't know the location? I've read the forum rules already, but I don't understand how you can post pictures of where the places are but not tell people how to get there if they want to go?

I understand your frustration, But;
Some places I'm reluctant to state the location of; as I don't want it getting trashed / looted etc etc
That said, I've been pretty honest about the location of this place mate... Go check it out
I wish you good exploring
TW

 

[The Wombat]

This excellent report contains all the information one needs to find the place - and much easier to get into now that the barbed wire and fence mesh have disappeared. One of a number of similar stores around the UK that were used to store and issue small arms ammunition - packed for immediate use. In the late 60's it was still possible to find the odd damaged ammo box scattered around - the trees and undergrowth having not yet learnt the meaning of 'rampant growth'!

Interestingly as the Cold War developed, it seems that the Authorities started to stockpile other commodities instead of ammunitions. In 1958, whilst visiting Clumber Park (in Nottinghamshire) with my parents, we stumbled on a huge storage area - small open ended Nissen huts full of wooden crates holding brown glass winchester bottles or large metal oblong tins (much like the rusty ones seen in the above photographs). Years later through my work I realised the chemicals were probably suppressant foam additives and decontaminating agents - the site being a Civil Defence Storage facility.

Many thanks for your comprehensive reply...
Very informative as always

 

[The Wombat]

Many thanks everyone
wasn't sure how much love I would get for this place

 

[DarkMagpie91]

Yes I can understand that about the places being trashed and looted which i don't agree with at all. I just enjoy finding the places and getting some pictures/footage. Many thanks for the reply

 

[The Wombat]

Yes I can understand that about the places being trashed and looted which i don't agree with at all. I just enjoy finding the places and getting some pictures/footage. Many thanks for the reply

I'm sure you'll find this one easy enough. I look forward to your report on this place

 

[Leigh Rogers]

Where abouts is this place? Can you get near to it by car? If so, how long would it take to walk to? Thanks.

You can park outside the gate but remember it's private property