British Schools Museum - Hitchin

  British school museum 

Date : October 2024

Location:  Hitchin 

Public/abandoned Public

When looking for a location to explore, we stumbled upon this lovely little hidden gem in the middle of a town/city I have never been to. After spending almost 40 minutes trying to park, I found a car park. We got out of the car and headed down to the British School Museum. It cost £13 for me and my friend to go in, as under 5s are free. We paid and went on our way. A lovely volunteer gave us a rough guided tour and let us explore a bit more after she had finished. The school was really interesting to see, and it was fascinating to see how things used to be back in the olden days.

The school is Grade 2 listed and dates back to the Edwardian and Victorian times.  it had a  house for the headmaster and headmistress. It first opened in 1810 with 200 boys and 100 girls and was opened by a local loyalist, William Wilshere. The school room that opened was the first monitorial school for the poor.

By 1904, more classrooms were added, and in 1929, the school became too small and worn out, so it was transferred to a new school. During World War II, the school was used for evacuees. It was in operation until 1969 when it closed. The building was then taken over by North Hertfordshire College but left in 1990. In 1994, Hitchin British School Trust was formed and acquired the building.

Ampthill pill box FW3/22. - Bedford

 Ampthill Pillbox

Date : October 2024

Location: Bedford 

Public/abandoned Public

As we were driving around looking for a location to explore, we came across this pillbox. We parked and went over to it. To be honest, there was nothing amazing about this pillbox. It was extremely graffitied and full of rubbish.

This pillbox is a type FW/22 pillbox that would have been used in WW2. It was built around 1940-1941. 

 

St. Peter's Church, Astwood

                                        St Peter Church

Date : October 2024

Location: Astwood

Public/abandoned Public 

This was the second church on our list in the area, and it was within 5 minutes of the other church we visited just before. However, when we got there, we found out that we could not get into the church because it was being turned into a house (it says so on the notice board outside). I took some photos by putting my phone up to the window, and it looks like the work started but then just stopped. It's sad to see, I'm not gonna lie.

This church is a Grade 2 listed building. It closed in 2015, and in 2021, it was granted permission to be converted into a house. There is a sign at the front of the church indicating that planning permission was granted for the conversion. , 

St Mary’s Hardmead

 
St Marys 

Date : October 2024

Location: Hardmead

Public/abandoned Public 

My 4-year-old and I traveled to the Dunstable area to visit a friend I hadn't seen in a long time. Our first stop of the day was a lovely church, about a 30-minute drive away. Upon arrival, we discovered that we needed a key to enter. Following the provided instructions, we were fortunate to find someone who could provide us with the key. Once inside, the church did not disappoint. It was incredibly beautiful and felt like a place frozen in time. 

It is said that this church is listed as grade 1 and is an Anglican church. It dates back to around the 13th century. After the church became redundant, there was an attempt to convert it into a house, but the plan fell through. The church has a 99-year lease that started in 1982.

M20 footparth , Type 28 anit tank gun placement - Kent

 Type 28 Pillbox 

Date : October 2024

Location: Kent 

Public/abandoned Public 

After finishing some work and having a little time to spare, I noticed a pillbox on the ebos maps and decided to take a look. It seems that someone has documented this pillbox, as the photos on ebos maps show it fully intact. Anyway, it was still cool to see before this piece of history is lost forever. It was pretty easy to find too, as it was on the public footpath. 

                                           This pillbox is a type 28a anti-tank gun placement.,