Development of COD Donnington began pre-WW2, but it started expanding much more rapidly during the war. By the 80s, it was one of the only two remaining CODs (Central Ordnance Depot) overseen by the Royal Army Ordnance Corps and one of the largest military stores in Europe. At the turn of the century, further development took place as the Parsons and Venning Barracks were built. Then in 2015, the area became a new Defence Fulfilment Centre for Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S). A year later, it was announced that the barracks were marked for future disposal - first to be shut down in 2020, then the deadline was shifted to 2022, then once more to 2029.
I have to apologise for the quality of some photos. My phone's camera really does not like the low light conditions.
Riding club
The riding club shut down around 2007, but again I can't find much info surrounding it or its closure. Supposedly the MOD wanted the land, but then did absolutely nothing with it.
Basically all of the riding club is now boarded up, not that it seems there was too much to see before.
Pool
Every single door or window is either boarded up or locked tightly. It did take us a while, but eventually we did find a (rather hidden) way in. I won't say any more though.
I found very little info about the history of this bit of the MOD Donnington area. Some parts of the pool bear the insignia of the Royal Logistic Corps (RLC), which was formed in 1993, by union of five other corps, including the RAOC. Also in an attempt to date this place, after some googling I found a very similar model fire alarm to the ones seen in the changing rooms which was made by a company called Associated Fire Alarms (AFA) around the 60s. Beyond this, I really have no idea about the history of this pool. Looks nice though.
That's it for this place. I have a few more smaller reports coming up, but this is certainly the most interesting of the bunch. Here's my Christmas present to this community I guess
../403
I have to apologise for the quality of some photos. My phone's camera really does not like the low light conditions.
Riding club
The riding club shut down around 2007, but again I can't find much info surrounding it or its closure. Supposedly the MOD wanted the land, but then did absolutely nothing with it.
Basically all of the riding club is now boarded up, not that it seems there was too much to see before.
Pool
Every single door or window is either boarded up or locked tightly. It did take us a while, but eventually we did find a (rather hidden) way in. I won't say any more though.
I found very little info about the history of this bit of the MOD Donnington area. Some parts of the pool bear the insignia of the Royal Logistic Corps (RLC), which was formed in 1993, by union of five other corps, including the RAOC. Also in an attempt to date this place, after some googling I found a very similar model fire alarm to the ones seen in the changing rooms which was made by a company called Associated Fire Alarms (AFA) around the 60s. Beyond this, I really have no idea about the history of this pool. Looks nice though.
That's it for this place. I have a few more smaller reports coming up, but this is certainly the most interesting of the bunch. Here's my Christmas present to this community I guess
../403
