North Weald Readoubt, Essex

Sorry for taking AGES to update... not been out on an explore for a while (hello life...) but also my PC has been out of action due to a heatsink that decided it didnt want to play anymore! Now upgraded the heatsink to a HUGE one and doubled the RAM... new monitors on my Amazon watch list and we're back! I've also found a whole load of filters for my camera, found the quad copter batteries (today!) and even found the head strap and chest strap for my action camera... so hoping to get some nice shots and videos on the next explore!! Now my PC has a new heatsink I can actually do some video too without it overheating and turning off which it did previously!!!

Anyway... onward and upwards....

Visited the North Weald Redoubt in August with a few members of Team DD, and to be honest there really isn't much to see except one of the few remaining Allan Williams Turrets, left to rot and rust on the ground, and a radio mast, also on the ground.

History:

A redoubt (also known as redout) is a military structure usually relying on earthworks, stone or bricks and used as a fort or fort system. These redoubts were used as a defensive system outside of the main defence system to protect soldiers. They were popular in the 17th century but their popularity declined in the 20th century and some, like this one, were left to decay.

The North Weald Redoubt was part of the London Defence Scheme of 13 Mobilisation Centres built between 1889 and 1903. This particular redoubt was the first and only fortified centre to be build north of the Thames and mainly served as ammunition storage, possibly serving nearby Kelvedon Hatch (Secret Nuclear Bunker).

The site was purchased in 1920 by The Marconi Company who set up the Ongar Radio Station (see the mast picture!). Two Allen Williams Turrets were installed on each flank during World War II, the radio station was classed as a vulnerable point and had special Vulnerable Point Troops to patrol the area and protect it.

The site is currently owned by property developers and has been since 1995. Previous to this it was owned by British Telecom, The Post Office, Cable & Wireless and the Imperial & International Communication Company who purchased the site from Marconi Co.

Explore:

The explore was really easy! The site isn't really looked after to be honest and even the dog walkers or cars going up and down the lane didn't bat an eyelid to see folks wandering around with cameras etc.

The entrance to the site is fortified by a huge metal fence, so be aware of this if you're planning to go and have a look, but its very easy to get into.

Other than that we all had a really nice wander! Sadly the site is nearly completely flooded and covered in trees and weeds etc. We went in the middle of summer so it was fully frown and green! There are some vaguely interesting bits, but I think most of the interesting stuff is probably under water.

Onto the pictures!

I actually bothered to align them nicely this time!

Full set: https://goo.gl/photos/pt9u2SeiTXfoLkJF8

One of the much derelict cottages on site
		Radio Mast
Allan Williams Turret	Top of the Allan Williams Turret	So much water...
Obligatory UrbEx chair shot	Rusty fusebox
	There was some nice graffiti, and some rubbish graffiti!	The Bridge

RAF Upwood, Cambridgeshire

Visited this site in May with a couple of friends and have to say we had a really fab day wandering around. There's both lots to see and not a lot really! The site is vast, literally huge with loads of buildings to explore in but they're all very empty and covered a lot in graffiti. Still pretty cool to have a look round though! :)

Ti give you an idea of the scale, at it's peak the base had over 2,500 personnel working and living there.

History:

The site was first acquisitioned in 1917 in time for the first world war and used until November 1918, when it was decommissioned after the end of WW1. By 1934 the RAF began a huge expansion in time for WW2, building began in 1936 and the first squadron began working from there in February 1937.

Due to the field not being great and the local weather being a bit damp, there were frequent times where flying wasn't possible from the airfield. This probably lead to it's untimely demise as a flying-base.

From the end of WW2 up until 1961, Upwood saw many Squadrons came in and out of the base and most were disbanded or moved to other bases throughout the decades. It was recommissioned as a base for various training and other activities, including radio services, cadet training etc but by 1981 was practically dormant again.

To be honest, the history of this base is so confusing who's in and who's out etc! Even reading it I got confused... but basically it was decommissioned fully in 1995 after it was returned to the MOD, this was after various RAF and USAF squadrons had used it for all sorts of activities. Now it's officially derelict but used by airsoft groups quite often and there's Urbexers and photographers and graffiti artists and skateboarders teeming all over the place most of the time!

Interesting tid bit of history: When captured, German spy Joseph Jakobs was found to have RAF Upwood maps in his possessions amongst other things. He was court-martialled and sentenced to death by Firing Squad in 1941.

Anyway....


Onto the pictures!

Full set here aerials coming soon! :)