The Bicycle Shack, Dorset - May 2022

This was one of those rare and lucky occasions where you stumble across something interesting entirely by chance, when en route to somewhere else. But what a find this was, purely in terms of being photogenic. It's also quite a rare thing as we have so few derelict places in Dorset nowadays, and those that are are pretty rubbish.

Comprising just three rooms, a sort of store around the back and possibly a very old and overgrown septic tank (or similar), I've called this place a "shack", but what was it? A cottage, stables, a gamekeeper's retreat? I have no idea and I cannot find any history at all. I tend to go with it being a gamekeeper's place, but who knows. There was also once a fence around the perimeter, but the only evidence of that now is an old and decaying fence post. This place is literally in the middle of nowhere and might possibly be part of a country estate, but there's nothing nearby to connect it.

All the rooms were empty and not even any graffiti (again, so rare!) so it really is 'off the radar.' The only thing I can say is that it was definitely derelict in 2009, and judging by all the moss and ivy etc., way before that.

The back...


The front with blue bicycle (it was positioned like this when I arrived and is going rusty).


The log store at the back.


So much moss!


Remains of a fence....


The three rooms.


The largest room.


Remains of the chimney.

What a creepy place, must have been a gamekeeper/workers cottage. Just watch out for the woman who thinks it's her duty to patrol this area in her Land Rover, she is a little bit like a Rottweiler. Nice explore.,,

LaceLightPhotos said:

What a creepy place, must have been a gamekeeper/workers cottage. Just watch out for the woman who thinks it's her duty to patrol this area in her Land Rover, she is a little bit like a Rottweiler. Nice explore.,,

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really u would actually get in trouble for being there! looks little more than a shed in the woods, if she dosent own it I think Id tell her where to go.

We now know she is known and a nuisance. She followed us to Knowlton and when the Police arrived about an hour later we said I suppose she's called you but they said they were just doing the rounds and added that they knew her after we explained, they advised us to ignore her. Most annoying encounter in my 15 years of exploring, even beats being escorted off a site by the local land manager on his Atv with shotgun. All create memories to tell the grandkids.

LaceLightPhotos said:

We now know she is known and a nuisance. She followed us to Knowlton and when the Police arrived about an hour later we said I suppose she's called you but they said they were just doing the rounds and added that they knew her after we explained, they advised us to ignore her. Most annoying encounter in my 15 years of exploring, even beats being escorted off a site by the local land manager on his Atv with shotgun. All create memories to tell the grandkids.

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It probably created a little bit of excitement in her life!

What a neat location and so green. That night view with the red light is creepy.

This is absolutely gorgeous. What a find, and what a treat to photograph. Are you able to say where it is (so I could make a trip) or would you rather not mention it? Thanks in advance.

michaelbeecham said:

This is absolutely gorgeous. What a find, and what a treat to photograph. Are you able to say where it is (so I could make a trip) or would you rather not mention it? Thanks in advance.

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Thank you, Michael.

If you have some reports you want to share first, people are more willing to divulge locations. At the moment, we know nothing about you. That's usually the way it works.

Hey! Yep, totally understandable. At the moment I have no reports as I'm just starting to get interested in shooting derelict places, roads, etc. I'm a black and white photographer, and have historically shot the local area around from a landscape, fine-art perspective. Derelict stuff is all new to me. But I get what you're saying, and no worries.
I also need to get my profile updated.

Thanks

urban-dorset said:

This was one of those rare and lucky occasions where you stumble across something interesting entirely by chance, when en route to somewhere else. But what a find this was, purely in terms of being photogenic. It's also quite a rare thing as we have so few derelict places in Dorset nowadays, and those that are are pretty rubbish.

Comprising just three rooms, a sort of store around the back and possibly a very old and overgrown septic tank (or similar), I've called this place a "shack", but what was it? A cottage, stables, a gamekeeper's retreat? I have no idea and I cannot find any history at all. I tend to go with it being a gamekeeper's place, but who knows. There was also once a fence around the perimeter, but the only evidence of that now is an old and decaying fence post. This place is literally in the middle of nowhere and might possibly be part of a country estate, but there's nothing nearby to connect it.

All the rooms were empty and not even any graffiti (again, so rare!) so it really is 'off the radar.' The only thing I can say is that it was definitely derelict in 2009, and judging by all the moss and ivy etc., way before that.

The back...
View attachment 518198

The front with blue bicycle (it was positioned like this when I arrived and is going rusty).
View attachment 518197

The log store at the back.
View attachment 518196

So much moss!
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Remains of a fence....
View attachment 518201

The three rooms.
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The largest room.
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Remains of the chimney.
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I can imagine the atmosphere. Magical