Corngreaves Hall, Cradley Heath, March 08 (Pic Heavy)

[diluted]

So I was out scouting for locations with my camera, when my brother phoned me. I said I was in Cradley Heath, and he mentioned this massive building that he passes on his way to work called Corngreaves Hall. I followed his directions, and found it. Its the goldmine! I phoned Virusman26 and as soon as he turned up we ventured inside.

Lots of photos... We started from the basement and worked our way up to the 2nd floor. Absolutely huge inside. After coming home and looking up more info on it, it seems that it was built around 1780. Evidence inside suggests that no repair work has been done since 1994, though there have been official visits inside as recent as 2006.
Don't think any urban explorers have been in before.

We think that the mosaic floor below is original.

Virusman26 found the plans/blueprints of the site in one room.

While we were on the 2nd floor we got spooked. I heard someone come in by the same route as us (not shown in these photos). We found out after that it was just kids who had gone in to drink a few cans of special brew, but to be safe, we left. I think when we came down the wooden stairs in our boots, we scared them more than they scared us as they went totally silent, but we figured its best to be safe so got out quickly and safely as we didn't know who it was for sure. We looked round the whole place before we shot photos, and I think we only didn't get photos of about 3-4 rooms at most.

Virusman26 should put up his photos soon. I've left off exterior shots as they show access points.

Even more can be seen on my flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/photomagraphs/sets/72157604026310795/

 

[Foxylady]

What a find! Love that mosaic floor and the archways. Those arched and porthole windows are rather nice too. Great blueprints.
Excellent pics, btw.

Cheers for that.

 

[BigDvr6]

nice find mate, great photos aswell, looks to be in quite good condition considering people have tried to set it alight.

 

[diluted]

Thanks!
yeah I couldn't believe how it was inside. I don't understand why work ever stopped on it, there's been a fair bit done - the main central staircase is obviously relatively new and there is a lot of plastering work done. Few rooms need flooring put in and it all needs a lick of paint, but a bit of a tidy up and it would be amazing.

Thanks to Virusman for coming at very short notice. I'd have bricked it in that place if I was on my own... specially when the 'others' entered.

I believe that the blueprint of the archway is how the main front doors were planned to look. Why things ever stopped I don't know. But someone's loss is our gain.

 

[Virusman26]

Hey all!
All credit goes to diluted for this place. He called me yesterday morning with a chance at a good site. Seeing as I was only getting my car sorted for the day, off I went after it was fixed up. Here's what history I can find. Quite important in it's time, and it was planned to be restored. Last plans were from 2006, but we found drawings and plans from back in 1990!

"Built around 1780, the Hall was originally home to the Attwood family, influential local ironmasters during the industrial development of this part of the Black Country.

Over its 200-year history, the Hall has passed through various owners and experienced numerous minor alterations. Over recent years it has been unoccupied whilst Sandwell Council have carried out essential maintenance and restoration work, and have looked to identify a new future for the building.

In 2002 the West Midlands Historic Buildings Trust was invited to commission a feasibility study. This report concluded that the only viable future is to return the Hall to its original residential use, and recommended dividing what was a single residence into five apartments. Even then, subsequent professional advice and analysis has shown that the ongoing maintenance of the estate is only sustainable by adding a sympathetic new wing of a further six apartments."

As we see in diluteds first pic, it was last owned by English Heritage. Not sure if they just gave up or what, but we enjoyed it anyway!!!!!

The pics...............

Blue prints of original re-development plans, circa 1990!

Sorry for the amount, but the place was a bit special in places!!! Loved it, all thanks to diluted. Great explore, apart from getting spooked by kids! Rather get out safe than get stabbed by some crack addit's needle!!!!!

Rest of mine are here.............http://www.flickr.com/photos/8776781@N02/sets/72157604017376316/

 

[Foxylady]

Really nice to see the outside of it. That really is a gorgeous building.
Like the spider in it's web.

Cheers

 

[King Al]

Super pics, those windows are great as is mosaic floor

 

[UrbanX]

Really great find. Nicely composed shots to ya both. The plans made me drool! Great report and history guys.

 

[ThenewMendoza]

Nice one, hope those blueprints are safe.

TnM

 

[Virusman26]

Nice one, hope those blueprints are safe.

TnM

Nope. Despite all the rules of UE, I really wanted to bring them all home. I could have creamed my pants when I found them!!!! I'm a mechanical engineer, so I have a love of anything like that. The room full of drawings was next to the old burned out hall way. A bit worrying really.

They were left in much distress to myself!!!!! There was loads of them.

 

[diluted]

Nope. Despite all the rules of UE, I really wanted to bring them all home. I could have creamed my pants when I found them!!!! I'm a mechanical engineer, so I have a love of anything like that. The room full of drawings was next to the old burned out hall way. A bit worrying really.

They were left in much distress to myself!!!!! There was loads of them.

I was tempted to grab them as well, they look amazing, but yeah, I like to leave somewhere as I found it (aside from writing my own performance review, which may at some point be known as Exhibit A ).

I guess if we ever visited again we could take some blu-tak and stick them up, camera on tripod and photograph them properly, then return them to where they were.

 

[Virusman26]

Not a bad idea!! It would be cool if there was a way into the servant buildings next time. I doubt it, but it'd be worth a look if the chance arose.

 

[diluted]

Not a bad idea!! It would be cool if there was a way into the servant buildings next time. I doubt it, but it'd be worth a look if the chance arose.

They looked locked up good and proper so I doubt its possible. When we first got there, I didn't think we'd be able to get in the Hall itself. My brother suggested trying to turn the switch on the power box to see if the council are still paying for services. You know how they like to waste money.

 

[DJhooker]

Nice building that, likle the shot with the round windows.

 

[smileysal]

That place look beautiful from the outside, the inside looks very good too. Love that mosaic floor and that room with the round windows. the carvings on the plasterwork, all look fantastic. Hope they hurry up and get working on the place. And its a frightening thought, all those blueprints in a room next to the burnt out hall. Hope they all get saved.

Cheers guys, excellent work.

Sal

 

[mineme]

Wow, what a place! It looked great inside and out, well done. What a shame it's been left to rot probably couldn't get the planning permission? or ran out of money, which is more likely the case. Love the piccies.

 

[Bad wolf]

This is rather interesting to me!, when i was yonger (10-14) years i used to spend my summers in lemster near hereford in a fabilous mannor house and farm called henor. This old house and grounds was owned by the corngreave family and had done for many decades. They were Decendents of william corngreave the inventer of the perpetual clock if i remember rightly. I wonder if there is any tie in with this family??.

 

[Virusman26]

Maybe, as there is a nearby industrial estate called Corngreave's, so it may have a connection. Hmm..........

Anyway, I can't believe that English Heritage would have the place and just leave it to rot. I'm going to take it up with them, obviously not mentioning being in there!!!!

 

[diluted]

Maybe, as there is a nearby industrial estate called Corngreave's, so it may have a connection. Hmm..........

Anyway, I can't believe that English Heritage would have the place and just leave it to rot. I'm going to take it up with them, obviously not mentioning being in there!!!!

Don't take it up quite yet... we may want to head back sometime

 

[Dirus_Strictus]

English Heritage are only the general coordinators of these Heritage Open Days. Thus the generic 2004 printed poster, with the site location added later - by local coordinator/local Council. As you will be aware these open days are not only to show the general public what there is on their doorstep - they also include sites/buildings that need more public awareness as to the true structural state/lack of progress etc.

This is a Grade 11* listed building, but as far as I am aware not owned English Heritage. The fact that the last major remedial work was carried out by the local Council, may point to that body having control of the buildings on the site.