Great Northern Railway Warehouse

nickyw_uk · May 28, 2009

This place has been reported on quite a few times, but I wanted to add my own version

I visited this rather large building on a hot and sunny afternoon (which went against me a little bit with the photos) and thankfully there wasn't a chav in sight! There were two young lads who had climbed inside the building via a very thin piece of rope, but they were harmless.

They came back out whilst I was taking photos and asked my Mum if I was "paparazzi" which I found very funny. They also said the building was a right mess inside and the floors were all full of holes. There were also loads of needles all over the place. I don't like the idea of kids being able to climb in and possibly fall through the floor or get stabbed by an infected needle, but what can you do? If they wanna get in, they'll get in.

I don't know if there are any plans to redevelop the building, but I think it's listed, so at least they can't demolish it.

james.s · May 28, 2009

That's very nice. I like the wooden thing on the side, you should have gone in it :mrgreen:

It is a shame it is in this state

johno23 · May 28, 2009

Great Pics,good to see another angle on the place

Its a grand old place which has lots of history and is connected with the remains of the old Friargate station which you can still see nearby if you go nearer to the old bridge which crosses Friargate.It all closed in about 1964 and has been left to go to rack and ruin as are most things in Derby.

We went a number of times about a year ago and pieced it all together with the aid of an excellent book called "MEMORIES OF FRIARGATE STATION".Although its trashed and overgrown there is still a lot of the original old place to be seen.

Inside the warehouse which you feature,it is in a very dodgy state in most parts due to age,decay and fire damage,particularly the upper areas and stairwells.The needles are a fairly recent addition and a sign of the times.However the usual common sense approach is suffice to be safe,although it is regularly frequented by local cheeky chavs and the obvious drug users,so a lone explore is not a good idea.

The real hidden gem of this place is the massive cellars and underground areas,which not only go under the building but under most of the grounds also towards Great Northern Road.Access is a bit extreme to these areas but believe me it is well worth the effort,as it has been sealed up for years and is like a time warp down there.
Happy to supply details by PM if required.

nickyw_uk · May 28, 2009

johno23 said:
Great Pics,good to see another angle on the place
Its a grand old place which has lots of history and is connected with the remains of the old Friargate station which you can still see nearby if you go nearer to the old bridge which crosses Friargate.It all closed in about 1964 and has been left to go to rack and ruin as are most things in Derby.

We went a number of times about a year ago and pieced it all together with the aid of an excellent book called "MEMORIES OF FRIARGATE STATION".Although its trashed and overgrown there is still a lot of the original old place to be seen.

Inside the warehouse which you feature,it is in a very dodgy state in most parts due to age,decay and fire damage,particularly the upper areas and stairwells.The needles are a fairly recent addition and a sign of the times.However the usual common sense approach is suffice to be safe,although it is regularly frequented by local cheeky chavs and the obvious drug users,so a lone explore is not a good idea.

The real hidden gem of this place is the massive cellars and underground areas,which not only go under the building but under most of the grounds also towards Great Northern Road.Access is a bit extreme to these areas but believe me it is well worth the effort,as it has been sealed up for years and is like a time warp down there.
Happy to supply details by PM if required.

Excellent info thanks and I really like the idea of exploring those underground parts. I shouldn't think I will though because they sound far too dangerous, but maybe one day when the place gets done up again, it will be safe to go down there once again

thompski · May 28, 2009

Nah the underground access is well fun, lots of floors which make you think "surely they should collapse at any time?". There's an easier way in but I heard a rumour the basement is owned by a local thug, though I'm not sure I believe that.

The_Revolution · May 28, 2009

thompski said:
but I heard a rumour the basement is owned by a local thug, though I'm not sure I believe that.

No way. Unless he has a passion for hoarding old paint and broken baths.

Anyway nickyw_uk good pictures; I like this place. It's not too dangerous; just use common sense when you're there.

I know there's been a fire since I last visited in the area where you access the basement; but with a good torch it's not a problem to explore. Upper floors are a bit soft but as there are no longer any stairs you won't be getting up there without using long ladders or climbing gear.

I've been meaning to revisit; it's been over a year since I took some of my favourite photos there and I should go and get some more and see if it's changed much.