Eerie (Picture: SWNS)
Take a look at these eerie photos of abandoned fairgrounds, mills, churches and pools across the UK.
Council worker-turned-photographer Simon Sugden, 55, has brought back to life long-forgotten venues across England and Wales – all by entering abandoned buildings, theme parks and places of worship and capturing them on camera.
He first bought a second-hand camera from a friend 20 years ago as a hobby – not expecting it to take off.
But Simon soon became captivated by the mysterious abandoned places he found, especially in the midlands and northern England.
After becoming friendly with caretakers and owners of Britain’s forgotten buildings, many were happy for him to wander around with his camera in tow.
Some of his most striking works include an abandoned Edwardian swimming pool in Birmingham, a disused sports centre complete with flume in Bradford and an attic in a Masonic lodge in Yorkshire.
A synagogue in Liverpool (Picture: Simon Sugden / SWNS)
An abandoned church in West Yorkshire (Picture: Simon Sugden / SWNS)
Photographer Simon Sugden (Picture: Martin Beaumont / SWNS)
The father-of-one from Ikley, West Yorkshire, said: ‘I am truly gobsmacked at how people have reacted to the images and getting them published has been just brilliant.
‘It all started around 20 years ago and a cheap DSLR camera.
‘I had the next day off work so I took it out and set off into Bradford not knowing what I was doing or what I was going to take pictures of.
‘I soon found myself surrounded by the amazing buildings we have in this city and felt drawn to them.
‘When I went in, often I would spend ages just looking at the craftsmanship, it really was beautiful.’
Abandoned machinery in a Bradford mill (Picture: Simon Sugden / SWNS)
Image of the once bustling Richard Dunn Sports Centre, Bradford (Picture: Simon Sugden / SWNS)
Mosley baths (Picture: Simon Sugden / SWNS)
On his shoots, he brings his camera, torches and face masks – in case there’s mould and dust. He also works with a friend he’s made through his photography.
Simon is one of the many photographers across the UK that document urban decay – and has even won awards for his work.
He added: ‘I have got to know some great people who I can ask for advice and meet to go exploring. We would meet up and share locations.
‘I always wear good boots and I always go with a close friend.
‘I have met some wonderful people in the course of my work.’
Shipley recycling yard (Picture: Simon Sugden / SWNS)
Shipley Glen fun fair dodgems (Picture: Simon Sugden / SWNS)
Simon plans to capture more (Picture: Phil Jackson / SWNS)
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His favourite photo is of two empty dodgems sitting side by side at a fun fair, in Shipley Glen near Bradford.
Simon said: ‘I love that picture. When I first started taking photographs I tried so hard to find the owner.
‘I went knocking on doors and looked online, and then by chance, a woman connected to it saw me there, loved my work, and let me have access which was incredible.
‘It is a real privilege to be able to go to these places and record them.’
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Simon Sugden has brought back to life long-forgotten venues across England and Wales.Â
