Arethusa Venture Centre Second Visit - Upnor - Kent

 

Arethusa Venture Centre

Date Januray | Location Upnor | Satuts Abandoned 

This was my second visit to Arethusa, having been there in 2025, where I only explored the poolside. This time, the exploration was straightforward, and I found that some of the buildings were open, which I hadn't seen before. However, the rock climbing wall was sealed up again, so I couldn't get inside. I also wanted to revisit the pool, but that was sealed off as well. Nevertheless, it was still cool to see the areas I was able to access.

To keep the history brief, the place closed down in 2019 and was raided in August 2025 for a cannabis farm. They want to demolish the site and build a bunch of new flats. The site was built in 1935 and was used by schools to offer a number of different activities.

Orchard Hospital - Dartford

 Orchard Hospital 

Date January | Location Dartford | Satuts  Abandoned 

There isn't much to say about this exploration other than it was really cold and the ground was icy. I was informed about this site by another explorer in the area, so while passing by with my friends and my 5-year-old, we decided to check it out. There isn't much to see, as the buildings are all quite similar. Some have graffiti, some have fire damage, and others are unreachable due to overgrowth. To keep the history brief, Orchard Hospital was established by the Metropolitan Asylum Board in 1902 to provide temporary accommodation during the smallpox epidemic. After the smallpox cases declined, the site was lent to the war officers from 1915 to 1919. Many of the buildings were damaged in World War II from bombings.

Canada House - Gillingham

Canada House

Date January | Location Gillingham kent | Status Abandoned

This exploration is the third on our list today and marks the final successful venture we had planned. Overall, it was quite easy and straightforward.

Canada House was originally a Royal Navy hospital serving naval families since 1910. It later transitioned into an NHS mental health hospital but closed in 2019 and has remained empty since then. There are plans to convert it into flats.

The Blue Crane - ST Marys Island Medway

 The Blue Crain 

Date December | Location Medway | satuts : Public 

We were walking around St. Mary’s Island while my daughter rode her bike. During our little bike ride, we saw this crane, and for the first time in a long while, I thought I’d take some photos of it. This crane is a popular spot but is also very peaceful.  

This crane is a restored blue crane that came from Chatham Docks and is a historical landmark.

h a historical landmark