Sean Piper couldn’t resist exploring this abandoned mansion(Image: Jam Press/@SeanUrbex)
An urban explorer went looking for a £1.4million mansion in the woods and couldn’t guess why it been abandoned and left to rot.
Sean Piper climbed in through an open window to check out the Gloucester property that has been left empty for years. He was surprised by how much potential the impressive home had before it was ditched by its owners.
Not only did it have a games room, expansive gardens and a swimming pool, there were also chandeliers, high-ceilinged rooms and a decent-sized kitchen. However, over the years, each of these areas had sadly decayed and been covered in a thick layer of dust.
Sean, from Kent, said: “There were surprisingly multiple windows left open, so we were able to jump in. The house was lovely inside, [it looked as though] [building] works had started but stopped suddenly.
“There was a snooker room, a lovely swimming pool and a large kitchen. It felt like whoever lived here may have been important or at least very wealthy.
“The highlight of the exploration for me was the swimming pool outside, along with the extensive and impressive gardens. There was so much land – mazes, sculptures and water fountains.”
Sean believes the mansion was last valued at £1.4million but many years have passed since then. He said: “It’s unclear why it’s empty. Its last sale was in 1998, but clearly it’s been disused for some time.”
While it’s a mystery why the property was abandoned, Sean has his own theories. He revealed: “Signs of old construction work suggest something was happening, but a long time ago. Perhaps they ran out of money and moved away. Shame to see such a nice home neglected.”
There’s a chance someone is squatting in the grand home because Sean stumbled upon clothes on the floor and a purple towel hanging on a chair.
However, it seems that the previous owners weren’t able to keep the mansion in a state of splendour. He said: “They tried to save it. You can still see the scaffolding scars.”
Sean added: “Tucked deep in the countryside, this forgotten manor sits in limbo. Renovation began, then paused, the render peeled, the beams sagged.
“Now it waits – half-restored, half-abandoned. A listed relic with no press releases, no planning updates, and no one watching.
“Its corridors echo with halted ambition. Wallpaper stripped but never replaced – floorboards lifted but never relaid.
“A mansion caught between memory and neglect, too historic to demolish, too costly to restore, and too forgotten to protect.”
When Sean shared pictures of the mansion with his 14,200 Instagram followers, he garnered more than 700 likes.
His social media followers aren’t the only one the property has made an impression on – as the urban explorer is tempted to return for a second look.
He added: “I’d happily see this house again and walk around the gardens.”
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