Wow. It seems like the Victorian Era was just filled with wild, eccentric people. I guess they needed an outlet from their stifling society. It would be nice to see that ballroom restored and put to good use. :)
More like “founders” that stole old world order pre-existing glorious structures after destroying most of it, on purpose. As recently as the 1800’s too. Robber barons, think about it…
Real shame it's not being maintained, I can imagine it being relatively expensive and somewhat of an unknown hazard waiting to happen. I would think there's a way to make it work financially some way or another.
Definitely, they could drain the lake, clean it all up and make sure it all safe. It's such a shame such a magnificent structure is being left to go to waste
how is that old structure not leaking? Constant maintenance? my pipe dream after seeing this video would be to live in hydro echo structure part of it would be an under water structure like this but in a fresh water reservoir were the lake is made from damming a river and the dam would also be part the structure but it would all be covered by earth tov keep it all hidden/out of sight. the lake would be my water supply and the dam would generate electricity and aquaponics if possible like the Aztecs. have rafts that grow crops and the roots of the crops make it down to the water and the fake would also have lots of fish.
its a nice video giving some detail of the story but the "small stone building with the arched doorway" is not connected to the spiral staircase / hallway / "ballroom". They are two structures not connected and on opposite sides of the lake. The arched doorway structure isnt submerged below water level, it has multiple rooms below ground level which lead to a area where small rowing sized boats could dock. Then from there you can row down a very small and narrow tunnel about 50 - 100 meters long onto the lake. The spiral staircase entrance to the "ballroom" is where the photographers are standing taking the pictures of the statue. There is also another ballroom entrance that can only be accessed by boat on the stone platform seen behind the statue. The entrances are well secured, you are right about that.
This may seem like a dumb question but why are there such vigilant security on the property? I'm assuming because it's a dangerous place for people to explore? But instead of hiring security to constantly watch it, why can't it just be maintained and used for tours?
@@mikecallan5165 i would think its because its not nice to have people with unclear intentions running through your garden and accessing your buildings that you dont want them to further damage or be abusive to you again. its probably also to deter people since clickbait things have massively over hyped this place, otherwise they would probably gets tons more people trying to get in. at the end of day it is / was just a guys home, even if the mansion and land is worth £30M it doesnt mean its viable for them to afford the cost of renovating these underground structures. i cant actually work out whats happening there now though, from the google maps imagery there seems to be a lot of work going on around the mansion, people in the comments claim to work there so i might ask them!
As someone who has snuck in here multiple times and done extensive research I can say that the spiral staircase with the door in the woods does not lead to the underwater ballroom (its actually a smoking room if we want to get technical). The only way to the room is to go down the stone steps at the front of the lake (always locked) or get a boat/swim to the island and go down the stairs there (also could most likely be locked as well). Ive been in here more than most and never made it to the ballroom but still some very cool things on the propety. Dont reccomend going tho as its very sketch and security are seriously on it
roughly when was the last time you were there? If there havent been recent photos from the "ballroom" then the island entrance is now locked/sealed but before click baity things massively over hyped this place it wasnt locked. but yeah people shouldnt bother them these days, nor should people feel they are missing out. What are the "very cool things" you mention?
A group of us used to go there regularly on a Saturday night in the early 80s. The door was always open in them days and we never encountered any security. We also took the boat out 2 the island a few times. Madness thinking about it as we'd always had a skin full before we went
I was *just* thinking how much I'd love an Atlas Obscura video! And wow, great subject... that's super cool. And this dude couldn't do 7 years? You know what they say about doing the crime...
+Me Auntie Nora I know right! Like guy, you stole half a billion dollars...seven years isn't that bad! But he definitely knew how to exit the stage with drama.
+Melinda Yeah, although, he was able to get both whiskey and a cigar immediately after sentencing so I still wonder...But I think the shame was too great. Whitaker was just a preachers kid who just wanted to be in the high society! I am a bit mean in this, but when you really dig in, it's a sad story. I think things just totally got away from the guy.
How do you gain access or permission? I can't seem to find any contact information which is understandable as LOADS of people would pester and ask for it. Can you offer any help as this would have to be on my bucket list?
I live two seconds from this place. The security is mental, he has shot someone trespassing apparently. I think its incredibly selfish to not allow people to see something so remarkable before it's left to ruin. It is history after all. I just want to marvel at it I don't want to ruin it or touch anything, jeese. Thank you for the video.😊
It was an underwater lounge, water makes you relax more, specially under water with no sounds from outside and disturbance. I guess, because of his circumstances he needed his moment of peace :P.
I am Whitaker Wright, and I'm here to ask you question... Is a man not entitled to the sweat of his brow? No, says the man in Washington, it belongs to the poor. No, says the man in the Vatican, it belongs to god. No, says the man in Moscow, it belongs to everyone. I rejected those answers, instead I chose something different. I chose the impossible.... I chose Lea Park!
The owner is a snot who is deliberately allowing this gem to rot because it's 'his' land and he enjoys the power. It's one of the reasons why things like this should be owned by the likes of the National Trust and English Heritage, and not in private hands. I know because I've read his comments on a forum.
It's not a ballroom. It's more of a billiards room. I used to live in Godalming when I was a kid/young adult and we went down there a few times. (this was around 1993)
+bulletproofisobel Yes a number of them have. It used to be unlocked and easy to get into, but after it got some attention online the owner closed it up and added security. It would be cool if somehow there could be regular tours, as it is such an amazing space!
The owner of the land you had to cross to get to this was jailed for attempted murder after he shot a teenager who was exploring the underwater ballroom.
+mikestermike Uhg. I know, I "mixed" this (by which I mean goofed around with the levels in FCP) wearing a really crappy pair of headphones. I was afraid the music would be too loud, and it is!
@@AndrewSmart32 The "door in the woods" leads to the ice house, the "hut on the pier" is the turbine house that when you turn the wheel it pushes water up the stone fountain in the middle of the lake, just beyond the "stone island" and so on an so forth..... many, many beautiful follies and buildings on this beautiful private estate that I was fortunate enough to once call home.
@@susandigby-smith7505 You lived there? That's so awesome. Can you share any more information? I've just finished doing a lot of building work on the court and I'm fascinated by this place
I found a way into there and got into the ballroom but it is full of water. Went down there and the alarm went off man CAME with his shotgun and chased us out! DONT ON IN THERE 👍👍👍💷💷💷💷
from google maps it seems like there is a lot of ground / construction work going around there now. What is it going to be? Just another private residence?
Wow. It seems like the Victorian Era was just filled with wild, eccentric people. I guess they needed an outlet from their stifling society. It would be nice to see that ballroom restored and put to good use. :)
More like “founders” that stole old world order pre-existing glorious structures after destroying most of it, on purpose. As recently as the 1800’s too. Robber barons, think about it…
Real shame it's not being maintained, I can imagine it being relatively expensive and somewhat of an unknown hazard waiting to happen. I would think there's a way to make it work financially some way or another.
+pantouffle Agreed. Really worth saving and sharing with the public I think!
Definitely, they could drain the lake, clean it all up and make sure it all safe. It's such a shame such a magnificent structure is being left to go to waste
Insurance would be a problem.
I'm working here at the moment there's over £50m worth of work being done
@@thetarotmummylouiseemery1513 No need to drain the lake for that.
how is that old structure not leaking? Constant maintenance?
my pipe dream after seeing this video would be to live in hydro echo structure part of it would be an under water structure like this but in a fresh water reservoir were the lake is made from damming a river and the dam would also be part the structure but it would all be covered by earth tov keep it all hidden/out of sight. the lake would be my water supply and the dam would generate electricity and aquaponics if possible like the Aztecs. have rafts that grow crops and the roots of the crops make it down to the water and the fake would also have lots of fish.
It was well built. The glass panes are three inches thick.
Because it's old skool British engineering, that's why it's not leaking! RULE BRITANNIA
Old world order beautiful structure, stolen in the 1800’s and left to rot on purpose.
I would love to come across while walking in the woods... The world is so cool
+justin ret Man. That would be the ideal. Just stumbling onto this, like something out of a dream!
its a nice video giving some detail of the story but the "small stone building with the arched doorway" is not connected to the spiral staircase / hallway / "ballroom". They are two structures not connected and on opposite sides of the lake. The arched doorway structure isnt submerged below water level, it has multiple rooms below ground level which lead to a area where small rowing sized boats could dock. Then from there you can row down a very small and narrow tunnel about 50 - 100 meters long onto the lake.
The spiral staircase entrance to the "ballroom" is where the photographers are standing taking the pictures of the statue. There is also another ballroom entrance that can only be accessed by boat on the stone platform seen behind the statue. The entrances are well secured, you are right about that.
This may seem like a dumb question but why are there such vigilant security on the property? I'm assuming because it's a dangerous place for people to explore? But instead of hiring security to constantly watch it, why can't it just be maintained and used for tours?
@@mikecallan5165 i would think its because its not nice to have people with unclear intentions running through your garden and accessing your buildings that you dont want them to further damage or be abusive to you again. its probably also to deter people since clickbait things have massively over hyped this place, otherwise they would probably gets tons more people trying to get in. at the end of day it is / was just a guys home, even if the mansion and land is worth £30M it doesnt mean its viable for them to afford the cost of renovating these underground structures. i cant actually work out whats happening there now though, from the google maps imagery there seems to be a lot of work going on around the mansion, people in the comments claim to work there so i might ask them!
Bioshocky!
As someone who has snuck in here multiple times and done extensive research I can say that the spiral staircase with the door in the woods does not lead to the underwater ballroom (its actually a smoking room if we want to get technical). The only way to the room is to go down the stone steps at the front of the lake (always locked) or get a boat/swim to the island and go down the stairs there (also could most likely be locked as well). Ive been in here more than most and never made it to the ballroom but still some very cool things on the propety. Dont reccomend going tho as its very sketch and security are seriously on it
roughly when was the last time you were there? If there havent been recent photos from the "ballroom" then the island entrance is now locked/sealed but before click baity things massively over hyped this place it wasnt locked. but yeah people shouldnt bother them these days, nor should people feel they are missing out. What are the "very cool things" you mention?
A group of us used to go there regularly on a Saturday night in the early 80s. The door was always open in them days and we never encountered any security. We also took the boat out 2 the island a few times. Madness thinking about it as we'd always had a skin full before we went
Absolutely love this channel! Really fascinating and well made videos. This particular place is only 6 miles south of where I live.
how hard would it be to break in
This is SO cool. Imagine to have photoshoots there...
+Marielle Nerder I know right!? Such an amazing space
I just need a small loan of one million dollars and I'll build one of these for all of atlus obscuras fans to come to.
+Brian Lindstrom Kickstarter here Brian comes!
I was *just* thinking how much I'd love an Atlas Obscura video!
And wow, great subject... that's super cool. And this dude couldn't do 7 years? You know what they say about doing the crime...
+Me Auntie Nora I know right! Like guy, you stole half a billion dollars...seven years isn't that bad! But he definitely knew how to exit the stage with drama.
+Me Auntie Nora im guessing the prison system back then wasn't as "civil" as it is now :/
still, 7 years or suicide? ._.
+Melinda Yeah, although, he was able to get both whiskey and a cigar immediately after sentencing so I still wonder...But I think the shame was too great. Whitaker was just a preachers kid who just wanted to be in the high society! I am a bit mean in this, but when you really dig in, it's a sad story. I think things just totally got away from the guy.
How do you gain access or permission? I can't seem to find any contact information which is understandable as LOADS of people would pester and ask for it. Can you offer any help as this would have to be on my bucket list?
What a crazy history! They should really turn that ballroom into a museum or restore it back into a reception hall. #bestweddingever
Very Cool! I have seen photos of this before, but never knew the story behind it! Fantastic Video! Thanks For Sharing!
+lonestarrider Thanks for watching!
I live two seconds from this place. The security is mental, he has shot someone trespassing apparently. I think its incredibly selfish to not allow people to see something so remarkable before it's left to ruin. It is history after all. I just want to marvel at it I don't want to ruin it or touch anything, jeese. Thank you for the video.😊
the shooter sold the place in 2019. do you know if its still just a private residence?
This place is freaking aweseome!
It was an underwater lounge, water makes you relax more, specially under water with no
sounds from outside and disturbance. I guess, because of his circumstances he needed
his moment of peace :P.
I am Whitaker Wright, and I'm here to ask you question...
Is a man not entitled to the sweat of his brow?
No, says the man in Washington, it belongs to the poor.
No, says the man in the Vatican, it belongs to god.
No, says the man in Moscow, it belongs to everyone.
I rejected those answers, instead I chose something different.
I chose the impossible.... I chose Lea Park!
Stop!!!! Hammer time🎶
The owner is a snot who is deliberately allowing this gem to rot because it's 'his' land and he enjoys the power. It's one of the reasons why things like this should be owned by the likes of the National Trust and English Heritage, and not in private hands.
I know because I've read his comments on a forum.
woow I loved the video!
+Felipe Matheus Thanks Felipe!
Amazing that the glass hadnt broken yet or molded over
We had to replace a pane of glass one year.... that was an incredible feat!
It's not a ballroom. It's more of a billiards room. I used to live in Godalming when I was a kid/young adult and we went down there a few times. (this was around 1993)
This guy's teeth are as beautifully mesmerizing as the subject matter...
+Jess P Thanks, I like to think of them as Attenboroughesq.
+Atlas Obscura I love your teeth and agree :)
So, cleaning the muck would make it dazzling in there-wonder how many balls they had?
Make a video about the Big Brutus and the Tree of 40 Fruit.
Estate burnt down in a fire.
Where have I heard that before ??
they should rent this out by the hour for sexytime.
+SpammerOvTheGods You are a genius.
not really, but easy to look like one in TH-cam's comments sections.
Please drop your background music level a bit.
has any of the urban explorers managed to get in?
+bulletproofisobel Yes a number of them have. It used to be unlocked and easy to get into, but after it got some attention online the owner closed it up and added security. It would be cool if somehow there could be regular tours, as it is such an amazing space!
that would be the dream
The owner of the land you had to cross to get to this was jailed for attempted murder after he shot a teenager who was exploring the underwater ballroom.
Not the current owner - he sold
@@susandigby-smith7505
Cheers. I've ammended my post 👍
Why hasnt it been maintained? What a waste
Background music is a bit too foreground. Hard to really hear you.
+mikestermike Uhg. I know, I "mixed" this (by which I mean goofed around with the levels in FCP) wearing a really crappy pair of headphones. I was afraid the music would be too loud, and it is!
+Atlas Obscura I didn't notice but maybe you're right. Great video as always nonetheless!
I’d be afraid there might be crack in the ceiling....ballroom beautiful though.
cool!:)
I loving the fact i live 5 mins away from it, yet it's so sad that i can't get in!
i'm aware of the three entrances, the door in the woods, little hut on a 'pier' type walkway and the stone island in the centre of the lake...
@@AndrewSmart32 The "door in the woods" leads to the ice house, the "hut on the pier" is the turbine house that when you turn the wheel it pushes water up the stone fountain in the middle of the lake, just beyond the "stone island" and so on an so forth..... many, many beautiful follies and buildings on this beautiful private estate that I was fortunate enough to once call home.
@@susandigby-smith7505 You lived there? That's so awesome. Can you share any more information? I've just finished doing a lot of building work on the court and I'm fascinated by this place
I found a way into there and got into the ballroom but it is full of water. Went down there and the alarm went off man CAME with his shotgun and chased us out! DONT ON IN THERE 👍👍👍💷💷💷💷
I'm working here at the moment there's a massive amount of work and money being put into the estate in the region of £50+m by the new owner
THRILLED to hear this. From the Granddaughter of a previous owner
Some urban explorers got chased at night and nearly run over??
Oops looks like I already didn’t respect the owners privacy 😔
Make it a tourist attraction to make money off of it!! It would pay for itself with all the folks who would want to see it.
Cover that thing with Mortys
Real life Resident Evil underwater hive lab
This host reminds me of Steven Johnson.
I'm not impressed with the view of the lake. Seems a waste of money to look at mud.
I work at this house
from google maps it seems like there is a lot of ground / construction work going around there now. What is it going to be? Just another private residence?
Fix that background sound; its higher then his vocals. Bad editing.
Who's here because of Day of the Duchess?