Urban Exploration - Albion Street Day Nursery

We are Urban Explorers, we are not vandals. We take nothing besides photographs and leave nothing but footprints.

Some days suck when you are trying to explore. After failing to gain entry to Griffin Lodge (sealed up), discovering that Imperial Mill is not completely derelict, and discovering that a promising find in Samlesbury is completely sealed (again), were left with a not so exciting nursery.

I discovered Albion Street Day Nursery after some cursory searching on YouTube.

Some teenagers uploaded a short clip to YouTube and the word ‘Blackburn’ got my attention. A little pausing of the video gifted me with the name and then it was a case of some investigation using Google maps to pinpoint the location.

Was it demolished was the next question? Just across the road used to be Albion Mill which now has been flattened and I was fearing the same for the day nursery.

A visit with @mender1 revealed that it was still very much in existence and getting in a worse state by the day.

Finding information on this one was a little tougher. There was a fire in 2011 and I found another report from 2008 with information indicating it was closed the year before. There was mention of asbestos in the fire report so I was wary of this hazardous material on entering the premises.

There’s no need to be coy on explaining how to access what was Albion Street Day Nursery, you simply walk through the front gate and clamber over the mounds of shit that is blocking the way.

Oh, and don't forget to 'Close the Gate!!!'

'The major challenge is not to slip and fall on your arse.'

@mender1 likes to get in the shots sometimes. There’s no picking out any details though, he’s just a shadow in the doorway (cover shot).

The building is less than impressive. Dull, drab and made of that horrible grey concrete that is most prevalent in the Scottish town of Cumbernauld.

12 years of being empty, vandalised and fire bombed has left the nursery as mostly a shell. Evidence of burning became quickly apparent as we explored what was left of the building.

I was surprised the roof has survived better than some of these old mansions we have been exploring lately. There are some holes but less nature that I expected encroaching the ceilings areas.

The power junction box was burnt out, with little left and there was graffiti in just about every room we looked in, sadly not of Banksy quality.

Some roofs had sustained some intentional damage with holes and daylight poking through.

This may have been the main room that classes were held in, but after so many years little is left in terms of character and figuring out where for instance the staff room is, becomes harder.

It’s apparent that homeless people have been living here with the old sleeping bag. There is a decent roof in this room but all the glass in the windows is broken. It would be dryer than sleeping rough outside but there would be no respite in terms of temperature.

I was trying to find anything personal but the place is completely gutted. The BT phone connection is still intact with at 2006 date stamp if you look closely.

This was once a kid’s playground, but nature has stepped up a little in this area and moss has covered some of it. Any rides have been torn down by vandals.

I’m a little surprised Albion Street Day Nursery has not been demolished. It must be owned by someone, is not a listed property so why does it still stand?

All photographs were taken by myself.