Urban Exploring - Britmovie

David Brent · 07-11-2006, 08:56 AM

Just finished reading the thriller novel "Creepers" written by David Morrell.
Although fiction, at the end of the novel the author mentions 'urban exploring' groups from around the world who inspired the book.
These explorers, and apparantly there are thousands of them worldwide, form groups that explore old and abandoned buildings. This may include old hotels, theatres and department stores.
They also explore underground tunnels, abandoned military instillations, subway systems, deserted hospitals, mansions and stadiums.
The people involved call themselves "Creepers" and are mostly between the ages of eighteen and thirty, intelligent, well educated with an interest in history and architecture.
What they do can be very dangerous and as they are usually trespassing, is of course against the law.

The UK urban explorers have a website at - || requiem wanderer || - Home
The US has a number of websites including - Infiltration

I had never heard of these "creeper" groups before reading the book.
I would be interested to know whether anyone on the forum is/has been part of one of these groups and if so what types of places have you explored?

Dave.

Moor Larkin · 07-11-2006, 10:14 AM

Subterranea Britannica: Home Page

I can recall climbing up scaffolding and creeping around a council building under refurbishment many years ago. A friend and myself also clambered up on top of some old railway warehousing and scampered up and down.

We didn't have a website about it though.
We just called it being drunk, late at night.....

JamesM · 07-11-2006, 12:22 PM

Sometimes known as Urbex.

DB7 · 07-11-2006, 01:35 PM

Seems more focused on the craic of tresspassing than what lies within; something most of us did in our youth.

Cuffy · 13-11-2006, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Brent

The people involved call themselves "Creepers" and are mostly between the ages of eighteen and thirty, intelligent, well educated with an interest in history and architecture.
What they do can be very dangerous and as they are usually trespassing, is of course against the law.

Although I draw the line at trespass, I can understand to an extent the things that drive these people and I've often wished I could get inside of some of the old ruins I see about here (and there are plenty about in Newcastle I can tell you - even if it doesn't deserve it's stereotype).

I'm a keen amateur photographer and there is quite a voyeuristic element to my fascination - I specialise in recording the demise of old buildings. It kind of becomes an obsession to record that which is dissapearing. There are a lot of old Victorian buildings falling to the demolition ball around here at the moment and I like to think I'm doing my bit by keeping a record of the whole process.

JamesM · 13-11-2006, 04:37 AM

And some places visited are not unrelated to this site:-

|| requiem wanderer || - | AST | Hidin in Harry Limes Tomb

Moor Larkin · 13-11-2006, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cuffy

I specialise in recording the demise of old buildings. It kind of becomes an obsession to record that which is dissapearing. There are a lot of old Victorian buildings falling to the demolition ball around here at the moment and I like to think I'm doing my bit by keeping a record of the whole process.

Cinemas
You are not Alone....

Pip · 14-11-2006, 12:10 AM

Hi - I'd like to debunk the myth put about by 'urban explorers' that they respect the places they (illegally) visit. Sorry to use this FILM forum for this, but these vandals need to be exposed and discouraged at every opportunity.

I have been involved with trying to save a major disused building of historic and architectural interest for several years. This building has attracted the attention of urban explorers. I have confronted individuals and groups of them on many occasions - definitely identified as UE by their own claims and by website identification. I have caught them red-handed smashing in doors and windows, tearing through roofing and even breaking through brick walls in their efforts to enter the building (which is in a dangerous and unsafe condition). They leave the place insecure, allowing ingress of other vandals, children, thieves and damaging weather. They have publicised on internet sites how to get into this building and others, including photographic evidence of their breaking and entering and items they have stolen.

As a result of the damage caused by urban explorers and the apathy of the building's owners re security, the building has been stripped of everything of architectural and historic interest or value, has been used as an extremely dangerous playground by children, and has deteriorated rapidly through rain penetration from damaged roofs, walls and windows.

These urban explorers pay lip service only to having an interest in saving old and unused buildings of interest, but in fact are their worst enemies, are just out for the kick of trespassing and going somewhere they shouldn't be. They are at best thoughtless and inconsiderate, at worst vandals and thieves.

Only thanks to the dedication of a concerned group of local enthusiasts has this building now been saved from demolition and from the vandals. The urban explorers have done absolutely nothing to save the building and very nearly caused its loss.

Don't encourage them and don't put up with their illegal activities. Inform the police of their activities and identities.

07-11-2006, 08:56 AM	#1
David Brent Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Queensland, Australia. Posts: 2,100 Country: iTrader: (3)	Urban Exploring Just finished reading the thriller novel "Creepers" written by David Morrell. Although fiction, at the end of the novel the author mentions 'urban exploring' groups from around the world who inspired the book. These explorers, and apparantly there are thousands of them worldwide, form groups that explore old and abandoned buildings. This may include old hotels, theatres and department stores. They also explore underground tunnels, abandoned military instillations, subway systems, deserted hospitals, mansions and stadiums. The people involved call themselves "Creepers" and are mostly between the ages of eighteen and thirty, intelligent, well educated with an interest in history and architecture. What they do can be very dangerous and as they are usually trespassing, is of course against the law. The UK urban explorers have a website at - \|\| requiem wanderer \|\| - Home The US has a number of websites including - Infiltration I had never heard of these "creeper" groups before reading the book. I would be interested to know whether anyone on the forum is/has been part of one of these groups and if so what types of places have you explored? Dave.

07-11-2006, 10:14 AM	#2
Moor Larkin Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: North West Frontier Posts: 1,565 Country: iTrader: (0)	Subterranea Britannica: Home Page I can recall climbing up scaffolding and creeping around a council building under refurbishment many years ago. A friend and myself also clambered up on top of some old railway warehousing and scampered up and down. We didn't have a website about it though. We just called it being drunk, late at night..... __________________ http://theatrical-mcgoohan.mysite.orange.co.uk/

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07-11-2006, 12:22 PM	#3
JamesM Moderator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: London Posts: 1,454 Country: iTrader: (0)	Sometimes known as Urbex.

07-11-2006, 01:35 PM	#4
DB7 Administrator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Shrops Posts: 5,759 My Mood: Country: iTrader: (10)	Seems more focused on the craic of tresspassing than what lies within; something most of us did in our youth.

13-11-2006, 04:37 AM	#6
JamesM Moderator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: London Posts: 1,454 Country: iTrader: (0)	And some places visited are not unrelated to this site:- \|\| requiem wanderer \|\| - \| AST \| Hidin in Harry Limes Tomb

14-11-2006, 12:10 AM	#8
Pip Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Planet Earth Posts: 100 Country: iTrader: (1)	Hi - I'd like to debunk the myth put about by 'urban explorers' that they respect the places they (illegally) visit. Sorry to use this FILM forum for this, but these vandals need to be exposed and discouraged at every opportunity. I have been involved with trying to save a major disused building of historic and architectural interest for several years. This building has attracted the attention of urban explorers. I have confronted individuals and groups of them on many occasions - definitely identified as UE by their own claims and by website identification. I have caught them red-handed smashing in doors and windows, tearing through roofing and even breaking through brick walls in their efforts to enter the building (which is in a dangerous and unsafe condition). They leave the place insecure, allowing ingress of other vandals, children, thieves and damaging weather. They have publicised on internet sites how to get into this building and others, including photographic evidence of their breaking and entering and items they have stolen. As a result of the damage caused by urban explorers and the apathy of the building's owners re security, the building has been stripped of everything of architectural and historic interest or value, has been used as an extremely dangerous playground by children, and has deteriorated rapidly through rain penetration from damaged roofs, walls and windows. These urban explorers pay lip service only to having an interest in saving old and unused buildings of interest, but in fact are their worst enemies, are just out for the kick of trespassing and going somewhere they shouldn't be. They are at best thoughtless and inconsiderate, at worst vandals and thieves. Only thanks to the dedication of a concerned group of local enthusiasts has this building now been saved from demolition and from the vandals. The urban explorers have done absolutely nothing to save the building and very nearly caused its loss. Don't encourage them and don't put up with their illegal activities. Inform the police of their activities and identities.