Tales of the Urban Explorer: Barkerend Mills Part Two

The second part of Barkerend Mills is a sad one. We entered and photographed this ‘other mill’ before the one described as Part One so essentially I wrote these the wrong way around.

The cover picture, for instance, was taken from a high vantage point in the 'Part One' mill.

It came out rather well I think, an appropriate scene of devastation and also regret that we never made it to the top floor for reasons I will explain below.

I looked this one over with interest when approaching. All the windows appeared to be flung open but looked out of place.

…'since when has an 18th-century mill been fitted out with newish looking double-glazing?'…

Walking up the steps and into the ground floor, we looked around at the scene unfolding before our eyes.

Where to walk? The floor looked desperately unstable with huge pits in places revealing voids of blackness.

I have clambered up some dodgy stairs in my time but these were a little much. Surely there was an easier way to ascend?

The floor was dodgy and rubbery around this area; fortunately, it didn't last and was more stable the further down this corridor we walked.

The décor was puzzling. It looked new and yet it was vandalised and messy. What was it about this place?

...'more Fish related stuff from the other mill. He must have ran a large business to be in here as well'...

The pamphlets and catalogs the floor gave it away. I guess the mill was slated for a refurbishment job and the mass of smaller rooms we kept seeing would have been apartments.

They must have spent a small fortune on outfitting this place only to stop at some point. Why did they stop is the question?

Some rooms were better than others but the signs were clear. Panelling, drawers in some rooms and the windows, most smashed and wide open.

The bottle of Tango tells me the homeless have tried to make this their home. Old sleeping bags were dotted around but bereft of their owners.

These bathrooms were fitted and new, only to be now full of dust and cracks due to the usual mindless vandals who come in and like to do their stuff.

This is one explore where I was starting to get bored. I initially labelled this one as 'boring mill' before I researched it and found the true name.

Why, because it's being renovated or there were attempts to do so. I don't find renovated properties the least interesting.

We found some steps to the second floor and found a more typical sight. The mill pillars meant the developers never got to the second floor beside the panelling.

The cash flow must have expired or we wouldn’t be here. I wonder what the history was of that?

...'most places have some burnt areas, and this one was no exception'...

Looking back at 'Boring Mill' we should have done the roof. I can see from the cover scene that it may have held some interest and may have been the highlight of what was a dull encounter.

The would-be investors never got up there and also seemed a little disinterested in would-be visitors surviving the initial doorway 'challenge' with the huge gaping hole and super creaky flooring.

As it stands, it remains empty, cold and isolated like its brother and doomed to rot away. Both are Grade listed buildings and cannot easily be demolished.

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