About this category
Unlock deserted halls of power: disused government offices, training schools, forgotten courthouses and decaying public institutions. These once-busy places have fallen silent but still whisper stories of bureaucracy, control and social change. Our urbex reports shine a light on these hidden civic spaces and the histories they hold.
Reports
Latest reports from Government
Woburn House – Dog Training Kennels
These dog kennels were located on the grounds of Woburn House and used by the Northern Ireland Prison Service to train dogs for use within the justice system in Northern Ireland.
Woburn House – Training Workshops
These training workshops were used to allow the juveniles who attended Woburn House to develop skills to enable employment on their release.
Woburn House
Woburn House is a B2 listed grand mansion located on the grounds of Lisnevin Training School. An Italianate property that was once the private summer mansion for John Gilmore Dunbar, a wealthy mill owner who passed it down to multiple generations of his family. Used as a convalescent home during WWII, Woburn house went on to be an open borstal before being taken over by the Police Service of Northern Ireland for training and office purposes.
Lisnevin Training School – The Admin Building
The administration building was for staff members and visitors to check in before being granted access to Lisnevin Training School. It was also used for meetings and to store important borstal keys and documents.
Lisnevin Training School – Millisle Borstal
Lisnevin Training School was a secure borstal with accommodation for up to 40 boys. Marred by allegations of abuse and human rights breaches, Lisnevin closed its doors in 2003 before being turned into a Police Training School.
Netherton Training School / Kyloe House
Kyloe House is a secure children’s home located in Netherton Park, Morpeth. Since opening, it has housed some of the most vulnerable juveniles in society, mostly those who were considered “violent and disturbed.” It is run by the city council.
Kyiv Institute of Information
Originally designed to be a “Synthesis of the arts”, this building, nicknamed the “Kiev Flying Saucer” by locals is due to be restored and renovated into a science museum. This building is also featured in the “Moscow” Map of Call of Duty Black Ops!
Memory Park / Kyiv Crematorium
Memory Park is a crematorium located on the outskirts of Kiev, Ukraine. Controversial at the time of planning as cremation was a sensitive subject after the WWII genocide and incineration of Ukrainian Jews, this crematorium was designed to avoid any association with the process of cremation.