Report - NTTS, Cheddar, Somerset. Scotch Derrick Crane

[Collingwood]

Following my exploits on Debenhams in Exeter recently, I decided i'd got a taste for the high stuff, and wanted to do some more.

The South West is sadly lacking in anything half decent, but a bit of searching on google maps, and then finding an archived report from 2007, by Rigsby, (http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=24724)
revealed a rather nice site which used to be used for testing Electicity pylons.

The site has been pretty much stripped since 2007, with part of the quarry area having been sublet.
The only bits remaining being the tower, (ladder cut at 1st floor level), and the HUGE scotch Derrick crane which is built into the rock face.
Having found our way to the top, a climb out to the end of the crane just had to be done!
Thanks to Urbanity & Dangerous Dave for the company.

An overview of the site, showing the Derrick Crane, testing tower, and a column now used for cctv!

A very long way down!

the boobytrapped landing, note half of the walkway missing, not to be done at night!!

The stunning view from the end.

Something different to do on a sunny, Sunday afternoon!​

 

[urbanphotography293]

Great photos! looks really interesting there

 

[ExploringTheUnseenWorld]

Is this still standing?

 

[Bertie Bollockbrains]

@ExploringTheUnseenWorld Still there, but you would need balls of steel to do it - the walkway is missing till halfway along. And a family lives in the house at the bottom and also in the house across.

 

[ExploringTheUnseenWorld]

Haha, good thing I got balls of steel then haha! Has anyone had any hassle from the house owners near by then? Cheers! - Jack

 

[BasedBoss]

Haha, good thing I got balls of steel then haha! Has anyone had any hassle from the house owners near by then? Cheers! - Jack

Never had problems with the house owners. But if you or anyone else is planning to go up here, just keep in mind that when you're walking up the crane. You are really really visible to everyone in Cheddar. If people see someone walking about on the locally well known abandoned crane, the coppers might be on there way. Very unlikely though, just don't stick around for long

 

[ExploringTheUnseenWorld]

Never had problems with the house owners. But if you or anyone else is planning to go up here, just keep in mind that when you're walking up the crane. You are really really visible to everyone in Cheddar. If people see someone walking about on the locally well known abandoned crane, the coppers might be on there way. Very unlikely though, just don't stick around for long

Appreciate the reply dude! I'll keep that all in mind!

 

[little_ boy_explores]

Its a big mound of dirt with some machines not good explore #rip

 

[ExploringTheUnseenWorld]

Its a big mound of dirt with some machines not good explore #rip

Any recommendations for anything else then?

 

[BasedBoss]

Any recommendations for anything else then?

Not a lot round the Somerset area. All the really decent places like Barrow Gurney + Sandhill have been turned into housing. This crane is a nice place to visit (the view is 100x better in person) you can just go check out the gorge afterwards if you've never been there.
Best bet is to check out the Wiltshire area instead of Somerset.

 

[Seffy]

Very nice mate, good job all round! We didn't go down to the bottom becuase of some potential pikies etc, but the crane is fun. You went further out than me, I didn't trust it haha

 

[Oxygen Thief]

Its a big mound of dirt

Errrr it's exactly the opposite.