Urbex FAQs

Urbex is an abbreviation of the term urban exploration. It can be defined as the exploration of derelict and forgotten about buildings, locations, or structures that is rarely seen by the everyday public.

It’s a grey area. Whilst urban exploring usually involves trespassing onto private land, trespassing itself is a civil matter in most cases between you and the landowner, and therefore not a criminal matter.

If a landowner has asked you to leave, then you should. It is an offence to return to the location for three months after being asked to leave by the landowner, and the police can become involved. The landowner can also take court action against you, seeking an injunction or monetary compensation for nuisance caused.

Criminal trespass applies to certain locations in the UK. They include:

– Ministry of Defence sites
– Power plants
– Royal Palaces and estates
– Railway lines
– Telecommunication sites
– Active quarries

If you have forced entry, vandalised the site, or removed items whilst out at an urbex location, these are separate criminal offences for which you can be arrested.

Tip: We do not break the law when entering a site and neither should you. Entry is never forced.

Note: Laws can differ between England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Always check local regulations if you’re unsure .

By driving / cycling / walking around
Our best finds have been from simply driving around. Keep your eyes peeled for abandoned buildings when out in public. You will be surprised at how many there are!

Google Maps and Bing Maps
Scrolling Google Maps or Bing Maps on satellite view is a terrific way to find locations. Bing also has a handy feature called Bird’s Eye View, which is a closer shot of an area taken by a low-altitude plane. This feature is more common in large cities, though, so it’s not always available in rural areas.

When scouting for industrial urbex locations, a great tip is to follow railway tracks or rivers, as that’s where commerce historically took place. Satellite view allows you to cover vast areas in a short time.

When scrolling Google Maps or Bing Maps, keep your eyes peeled for the following:

– Holes in roofs
– Missing tiles or shingles on roofing
– Collapsed walls
– Overgrown vegetation
– Fallen trees
– Burnt-out structures or vehicles
– General wasteland or underdeveloped areas

Remember that the satellite view may be outdated. We have visited a few urbex locations that turned out to be just piles of rubble, even though they still appeared intact on satellite imagery!

Google Searches
Simply searching for “abandoned building [city name]” can yield results. Some recommended Google searches include:

“abandoned” + “[city name]”
“abandoned warehouse” + “[city name]”
“abandoned house” + “[city name]”
“[city name]” + “urbex”
“[city name]” + “urban exploration”
“abandoned building” + “[city name]”

Local newspaper websites
Use their search facility to look for “abandoned”, “derelict”, or “decaying” buildings.

Estate agent (realtor) or property auction websites
Check both commercial and residential estate agent websites or auction houses for “properties in need of renovation.” If the asking price is suspiciously low compared to similar buildings in the area, there’s a good chance it has been abandoned.

Facebook Groups
Join local urbex groups or historical groups on Facebook to see abandoned locations near you. If you have an idea of where the urbex location is, you can often use Google Maps or Bing Maps to pinpoint it.

Read Urbex Hub articles
Many articles on Urbex Hub contain the location and GPS co-ordinates of urbex locations we’ve visited. Get reading!

Fundamentally, exploring abandoned buildings carries inherent risks as they are no longer maintained. With urban exploration, it is never advisable to explore alone. Always buddy up and explore with at least one other person for safety.

Environmental & Wildlife Considerations
Be mindful that old or abandoned buildings may be home to wildlife—such as birds, bats, or foxes. Avoid disturbing them whenever possible and respect any local protections or nesting seasons.

Under-18 Explorers
If you’re under 18, it’s advisable to explore only with a responsible adult who is fully aware of the risks.

No. Even if the place has been abandoned for years, removing, or taking items from an urbex location is still theft.

Never Explore Alone
Never urbex alone; always buddy up and go with at least one other person. It is also wise to inform someone else where you are going for safety. Sharing your live location on WhatsApp while at an urbex location works well here.

Abandoned buildings are also attractive to people other than urban explorers—such as homeless individuals, squatters, drug users, or scrap metal thieves. Safety in numbers is paramount. If you hear people when you arrive, just leave and come back another time. It’s not worth the hassle or potential confrontation.

Be mindful of the structure
Check the condition of floors and beams before walking across them. Walk in single file if you’re uncertain, to avoid placing too much weight on potentially weakened structures. Be especially vigilant if the roof is leaking, as water accelerates decay.

Asbestos Exposure
Be on the lookout for asbestos, as older buildings often contain it. Bring a mask and know how to identify asbestos. Although issues typically arise from prolonged exposure, it’s better to be safe than sorry—mesothelioma is no joke.

Parking Safely
If exploring by car, always park out of the way. Parking right in front of the location often means the police will be swiftly on the scene. Be discreet!

Drain Exploration
Only ever explore drains during the day (if at all). Remember, drains can quickly flood, and urban explorers have drowned exploring drains. We generally recommend you stay away from drain exploration because it’s illegal in many places, poses significant flood risk, and stagnant water can be a breeding ground for bacteria and mosquitoes.

Wear old but robust clothing
You will inevitably end up ripping or tearing your clothes at some point. It’s better to rip old, sturdy clothes than your skin. Long-sleeved tops and trousers/jeans can help protect you from cuts and scrapes.

Stay away from stray dogs
If you hear dogs in a building or see them on-site, then leave immediately. Stray dogs can be dangerous, scary, and unpredictable—faster and stronger than you, and simply not worth the risk.

Is the residential urbex location really abandoned?
In some rural settings, families build new homes next to or near an older, abandoned one. Always scout ahead and check local records to ensure the property is truly abandoned.

Respect neighbours and surroundings
If you’re near inhabited houses, keep noise to a minimum, and avoid blocking driveways or causing alarm to people in the area.

A Camera
We use a wide-angle 10–22mm lens for interior shots and a 17–55mm or a 24–105mm for everything else. A 50mm is also recommended as it takes up little room and is great for close-up shots.

First Aid Kit
Accidents can (and do) happen when exploring. A compact and waterproof first aid kit will not break the bank and could be a lifesaver. Remember to replace any used items and check expiry dates regularly.

Flashlight or headlight
Once the electricity goes off for the final time, most locations become quite dark. Always bring a torch or headlight to ensure you can safely manoeuvre around an abandoned location. Carry spare batteries too!

Protective Gloves
Old buildings and industrial units are filled with sharp objects and broken glass.

Mask
Older buildings usually contain asbestos and, in some cases, lead-based paints. We recommend an N95 mask or respirator for added protection.

Tripod
Many locations are quite dark, so to take long exposure photos, we recommend a travel tripod or a Joby Gorilla Pod / Manfrotto Pixi Mini.

Waterproof bag
A waterproof bag is necessary for protecting your camera equipment and gear.

Water and snacks
It can get hot in abandoned locations once the air conditioning is off. Bring water and snacks to stay hydrated and keep hunger at bay.

Surface and baby wipes
It’s inevitable your equipment and hands will get dirty. Pack wipes to clean your gear and yourself when exploring.

Photography Permissions
While photography is fun, be mindful that some property owners may not permit photos. If in doubt, or if you plan to publish them, consider whether permission is needed.

When going out to urbex locations, please ensure you have not packed any of the following:

– Spray paint / markers
– Knives / screwdrivers
– Pliers / crowbars / hammers
– Lock picks

This is where a civil trespass can become a criminal trespass, as the police will assume you are “going equipped” or “with intent” to burgle or vandalise a location. Always check your bags before you set off exploring!

“Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints”

It might be the “Live, Laugh, Love” of the urbex community, but it truly captures the ethos of responsible urban exploration.

Yes, urbex is indeed a valid Scrabble word as it refers to the activity of urban exploration. It earns 14 points total (U = 1, R = 1, B = 3, E = 1, X = 8), plus any bonus squares like Double Letter, Triple Letter, Double Word, or Triple Word.

Here at Urbex Hub, if we haven’t shared the location, it is usually to protect the site from theft, arson, general vandalism, or squatting. We never share the locations of residential buildings for this reason.

If the location has not been shared in the post, then please do not ask us for it.

Only with fellow urban explorers who we have been on adventures with or know. If we are unsure of who you are, we will not swap any locations with you.

Yes! Urbex Hub can be found on the following social media accounts:

– Facebook
– Instagram
– Twitter
– TikTok
– Tumblr
– Pinterest

The photos and text on Urbex Hub may not be copied, reprinted, hosted, or otherwise distributed by any means without explicit written permission.  

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