Crown Courts - July 2013

[mrdistopia]

I have been trying in vain to organise a trip to these old city-centre courts for some time. So, when a fellow explorer asked for suggestions for a last-minute expedition around that part of the country I wasted no time suggesting we finally give it a go.

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http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7304/9289671440_d09993468d_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrdistopia/9289671440/)

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Agreeing to meet the others at the site, I faced a through-the-night cycle, coach ride and very long walk but, when you want a place as much as I wanted this one it seems like a fair trade-off. On top of this, those familiar with this building will know that, getting inside requires nerves of steel as it is about the least discrete route in as can be imagined. I bruised and scraped myself rotten and was less than graceful but it was certainly worth all the trouble, I hope you’ll agree.

Courts

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http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7393/9290535368_aa00460b42_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrdistopia/9290535368/)

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http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7329/9286218282_ef73075204_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrdistopia/9286218282/)
The large waiting hall for Court One.

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http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2872/9285876316_4f8054b26b_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrdistopia/9285876316/)
...and Court One's grand enterance

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http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3689/9289099542_6a63c4ba95_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrdistopia/9289099542/)
More of a cupboard than a room, really

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http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3678/9278392070_a0e0597d6b_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrdistopia/9278392070/)

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Back Offices

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Clock Tower

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http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2890/9286328973_021763cc78_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrdistopia/9286328973/)

Cells & Basement

As I ventured down into the depths of the basement sounds of the early morning city street made it’s way through grates and vents. This was a stark contrast to the usual eerie silence experienced in the more out-of-the way asylums and factories.

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http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5345/9297019096_43f877fccb_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrdistopia/9297019096/)

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Lockdown

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http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5487/9287585457_6310e869c0_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrdistopia/9287585457/)
The Cells

I hope you enjoyed the tour.

MrD

[Clough]

Wow I never went in basement! Top report!

[ERNIE99_UK]

Love it, theres quite a few disused courts around now with the closing of some magistrates courts too

[Downlow]

Cool, why don't you go explore some of them..

[x-pack]

Lovely old building. Good shoot

[boxerheaven]

excellent pics :)

[GeoVDUB]

Very nice indeed, some bits I've not seen, really cool.

[myke]

wow liking this