- Joined
- Aug 3, 2014
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The history
Churchgate Hotel was originally a Jacobean chantry house to the local church of St. Mary and St. Hugh. The chantry was founded in 1324 by John de Stainton the rector of Harlow but was suspended during the reign of Edward VI.
The chantry house eventually passed into the ownership of Elizabeth I and remained a royal property until it was disposed of by James I in 1607
It was bought by Alexander Stafford in 1615 and the present house was built sometime between 1615-1652, after his death in 1652 it was sold to Samuel Harrison, whose descendants sold it to J. W. Perry-Watlington in 1855. The building is timber-framed and plastered and has fine doorways and original features, but has been much altered in the 20th century
It is now an 85 bedroom country house hotel, set in landscaped gardens close to the m11, with large indoor pool, sauna, spa, solarium and fitness room. An award winning restaurant offers a fine selection of English and Continental dishes, and the bar, with its own terrace, overlooks the landscaped gardens.
Sadly the Hotel Closed in September 2014 due to mismanagement and spiralling debts.
The Explore
This place came to our attention whilst chatting to an old school friend. Immediately we got on the case and did a reccy and knew it was going to be a fun one.
A few days later the 5 of us kitted up and trotted off to the hotel.
After doing a bit of homework on various internet search engines we knew what we where after, It had to be the pool……..
After pretty much walking in we found ourselves in the “ballroom” which was full of furniture taken from various parts of the hotel. While getting our cameras out ready to snap some pictures we heard “ Stop your presence has been detected, please use your pass key to prevent a security visit” With a slight look of panic on our faces we looked at each other and decided we had ten minutes at least. So running around like a scene from Challenge Anneka we had a hunt on for the pool.
Eureka! We found and snapped away waiting to get a capture, after 10 minutes and no sign of secca we carried on, wow what a place!!!
Very immaculate in most places and a brilliant place to explore. We ended up on the roof, you knew that was coming didn’t you lol Got to love a roof access.
We where in there for a good few hours with our new friend Robbie the robot telling us secca where coming every 20 minutes or so lol
They never did turn up and we had a brilliant explore, it was nice to do something nice, untouched and unexplored again
I'll let the pics do the talking
![DSC_0477_zpsm1lkvjnl.jpg DSC_0477_zpsm1lkvjnl.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191303-DSC-0477-zpsm1lkvjnl.jpg)
![DSC_0487_zpsih4s2ykz.jpg DSC_0487_zpsih4s2ykz.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191304-DSC-0487-zpsih4s2ykz.jpg)
![DSC_0486_zpsz5i52mkx.jpg DSC_0486_zpsz5i52mkx.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191305-DSC-0486-zpsz5i52mkx.jpg)
![DSC_0510_zpssv00wwty.jpg DSC_0510_zpssv00wwty.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191306-DSC-0510-zpssv00wwty.jpg)
![DSC_0523_zpsov42mx9a.jpg DSC_0523_zpsov42mx9a.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191307-DSC-0523-zpsov42mx9a.jpg)
![DSC_0511_zpsbm3lufwm.jpg DSC_0511_zpsbm3lufwm.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191308-DSC-0511-zpsbm3lufwm.jpg)
![DSC_0510_zpssv00wwty.jpg DSC_0510_zpssv00wwty.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191309-DSC-0510-zpssv00wwty.jpg)
![DSC_0558_zpszjj63uws.jpg DSC_0558_zpszjj63uws.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191310-DSC-0558-zpszjj63uws.jpg)
![DSC_0620_zpsajsg1clc.jpg DSC_0620_zpsajsg1clc.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191311-DSC-0620-zpsajsg1clc.jpg)
![DSC_0625_zpsvgqd7u3u.jpg DSC_0625_zpsvgqd7u3u.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191312-DSC-0625-zpsvgqd7u3u.jpg)
![DSC_0646_zpsliyiorzt.jpg DSC_0646_zpsliyiorzt.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191313-DSC-0646-zpsliyiorzt.jpg)
![DSC_0639_zpspurvlggq.jpg DSC_0639_zpspurvlggq.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191314-DSC-0639-zpspurvlggq.jpg)
![DSC_0608_zpsf1unqqfu.jpg DSC_0608_zpsf1unqqfu.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191315-DSC-0608-zpsf1unqqfu.jpg)
![DSC_0593_zpsqczanlgx.jpg DSC_0593_zpsqczanlgx.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191316-DSC-0593-zpsqczanlgx.jpg)
![DSC_0578_zpscsvgkm1q.jpg DSC_0578_zpscsvgkm1q.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191317-DSC-0578-zpscsvgkm1q.jpg)
![DSC_0659_zpsfs0yrsey.jpg DSC_0659_zpsfs0yrsey.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191318-DSC-0659-zpsfs0yrsey.jpg)
![DSC_0666_zpste9iuw3d.jpg DSC_0666_zpste9iuw3d.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191319-DSC-0666-zpste9iuw3d.jpg)
![DSC_0699_zpsiheyixun.jpg DSC_0699_zpsiheyixun.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191320-DSC-0699-zpsiheyixun.jpg)
![DSC_0698_zpsfkybo2gu.jpg DSC_0698_zpsfkybo2gu.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191321-DSC-0698-zpsfkybo2gu.jpg)
![DSC_0705_zps9bi3dcus.jpg DSC_0705_zps9bi3dcus.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191322-DSC-0705-zps9bi3dcus.jpg)
![DSC_0717_zpsaufueffl.jpg DSC_0717_zpsaufueffl.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191323-DSC-0717-zpsaufueffl.jpg)
![DSC_0732_zpstviwo4xo.jpg DSC_0732_zpstviwo4xo.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191324-DSC-0732-zpstviwo4xo.jpg)
![DSC_0747_zpsjhuhswag.jpg DSC_0747_zpsjhuhswag.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191325-DSC-0747-zpsjhuhswag.jpg)
![DSC_0749_zpsctl0c5rd.jpg DSC_0749_zpsctl0c5rd.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191326-DSC-0749-zpsctl0c5rd.jpg)
![DSC_0756_zpsmlkk5afg.jpg DSC_0756_zpsmlkk5afg.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191327-DSC-0756-zpsmlkk5afg.jpg)
![DSC_0764_zpsdxqvgosq.jpg DSC_0764_zpsdxqvgosq.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191328-DSC-0764-zpsdxqvgosq.jpg)
Churchgate Hotel was originally a Jacobean chantry house to the local church of St. Mary and St. Hugh. The chantry was founded in 1324 by John de Stainton the rector of Harlow but was suspended during the reign of Edward VI.
The chantry house eventually passed into the ownership of Elizabeth I and remained a royal property until it was disposed of by James I in 1607
It was bought by Alexander Stafford in 1615 and the present house was built sometime between 1615-1652, after his death in 1652 it was sold to Samuel Harrison, whose descendants sold it to J. W. Perry-Watlington in 1855. The building is timber-framed and plastered and has fine doorways and original features, but has been much altered in the 20th century
It is now an 85 bedroom country house hotel, set in landscaped gardens close to the m11, with large indoor pool, sauna, spa, solarium and fitness room. An award winning restaurant offers a fine selection of English and Continental dishes, and the bar, with its own terrace, overlooks the landscaped gardens.
Sadly the Hotel Closed in September 2014 due to mismanagement and spiralling debts.
The Explore
This place came to our attention whilst chatting to an old school friend. Immediately we got on the case and did a reccy and knew it was going to be a fun one.
A few days later the 5 of us kitted up and trotted off to the hotel.
After doing a bit of homework on various internet search engines we knew what we where after, It had to be the pool……..
After pretty much walking in we found ourselves in the “ballroom” which was full of furniture taken from various parts of the hotel. While getting our cameras out ready to snap some pictures we heard “ Stop your presence has been detected, please use your pass key to prevent a security visit” With a slight look of panic on our faces we looked at each other and decided we had ten minutes at least. So running around like a scene from Challenge Anneka we had a hunt on for the pool.
Eureka! We found and snapped away waiting to get a capture, after 10 minutes and no sign of secca we carried on, wow what a place!!!
Very immaculate in most places and a brilliant place to explore. We ended up on the roof, you knew that was coming didn’t you lol Got to love a roof access.
We where in there for a good few hours with our new friend Robbie the robot telling us secca where coming every 20 minutes or so lol
They never did turn up and we had a brilliant explore, it was nice to do something nice, untouched and unexplored again
I'll let the pics do the talking
![DSC_0477_zpsm1lkvjnl.jpg DSC_0477_zpsm1lkvjnl.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191303-DSC-0477-zpsm1lkvjnl.jpg)
![DSC_0487_zpsih4s2ykz.jpg DSC_0487_zpsih4s2ykz.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191304-DSC-0487-zpsih4s2ykz.jpg)
![DSC_0486_zpsz5i52mkx.jpg DSC_0486_zpsz5i52mkx.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191305-DSC-0486-zpsz5i52mkx.jpg)
![DSC_0510_zpssv00wwty.jpg DSC_0510_zpssv00wwty.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191306-DSC-0510-zpssv00wwty.jpg)
![DSC_0523_zpsov42mx9a.jpg DSC_0523_zpsov42mx9a.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191307-DSC-0523-zpsov42mx9a.jpg)
![DSC_0511_zpsbm3lufwm.jpg DSC_0511_zpsbm3lufwm.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191308-DSC-0511-zpsbm3lufwm.jpg)
![DSC_0510_zpssv00wwty.jpg DSC_0510_zpssv00wwty.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191309-DSC-0510-zpssv00wwty.jpg)
![DSC_0558_zpszjj63uws.jpg DSC_0558_zpszjj63uws.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191310-DSC-0558-zpszjj63uws.jpg)
![DSC_0620_zpsajsg1clc.jpg DSC_0620_zpsajsg1clc.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191311-DSC-0620-zpsajsg1clc.jpg)
![DSC_0625_zpsvgqd7u3u.jpg DSC_0625_zpsvgqd7u3u.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191312-DSC-0625-zpsvgqd7u3u.jpg)
![DSC_0646_zpsliyiorzt.jpg DSC_0646_zpsliyiorzt.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191313-DSC-0646-zpsliyiorzt.jpg)
![DSC_0639_zpspurvlggq.jpg DSC_0639_zpspurvlggq.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191314-DSC-0639-zpspurvlggq.jpg)
![DSC_0608_zpsf1unqqfu.jpg DSC_0608_zpsf1unqqfu.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191315-DSC-0608-zpsf1unqqfu.jpg)
![DSC_0593_zpsqczanlgx.jpg DSC_0593_zpsqczanlgx.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191316-DSC-0593-zpsqczanlgx.jpg)
![DSC_0578_zpscsvgkm1q.jpg DSC_0578_zpscsvgkm1q.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191317-DSC-0578-zpscsvgkm1q.jpg)
![DSC_0659_zpsfs0yrsey.jpg DSC_0659_zpsfs0yrsey.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191318-DSC-0659-zpsfs0yrsey.jpg)
![DSC_0666_zpste9iuw3d.jpg DSC_0666_zpste9iuw3d.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191319-DSC-0666-zpste9iuw3d.jpg)
![DSC_0699_zpsiheyixun.jpg DSC_0699_zpsiheyixun.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191320-DSC-0699-zpsiheyixun.jpg)
![DSC_0698_zpsfkybo2gu.jpg DSC_0698_zpsfkybo2gu.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191321-DSC-0698-zpsfkybo2gu.jpg)
![DSC_0705_zps9bi3dcus.jpg DSC_0705_zps9bi3dcus.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191322-DSC-0705-zps9bi3dcus.jpg)
![DSC_0717_zpsaufueffl.jpg DSC_0717_zpsaufueffl.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191323-DSC-0717-zpsaufueffl.jpg)
![DSC_0732_zpstviwo4xo.jpg DSC_0732_zpstviwo4xo.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191324-DSC-0732-zpstviwo4xo.jpg)
![DSC_0747_zpsjhuhswag.jpg DSC_0747_zpsjhuhswag.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191325-DSC-0747-zpsjhuhswag.jpg)
![DSC_0749_zpsctl0c5rd.jpg DSC_0749_zpsctl0c5rd.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191326-DSC-0749-zpsctl0c5rd.jpg)
![DSC_0756_zpsmlkk5afg.jpg DSC_0756_zpsmlkk5afg.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191327-DSC-0756-zpsmlkk5afg.jpg)
![DSC_0764_zpsdxqvgosq.jpg DSC_0764_zpsdxqvgosq.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/191/191328-DSC-0764-zpsdxqvgosq.jpg)