This is Pinebanks, the former Norwich Union (now Aviva) Sports and Social Club closed in 2008. The core of this complex is the original villa constructed between 1880-82 and extended substantially in 1907. As it has several new buildings added to it since, it is not listed and due for demolition to make way for a new housing estate. Pinebanks is an unusual place, as it comprises of several locations: this the main complex, Taylor’s Folly and the Indoor Rifle Range. The main complex has very little in these days but is an absolute maze with several equally empty ancillary buildings,the age of the place made it quite a nice explore.
The meeting room with Taylor’s Folly in the foreground which was explored previously
The Pinebanks logo on the door to the badminton court
The main tower of the original hall
There are many “lounges†which make up the original hall
The Pool Room with rather nice fireplace
A close up of the Pool Room fireplace
Between the old hall and the new part of the complex was a rather strangely position gate
The Ballroom looking from the stage area, bar at the end of the room
Bet you can’t scratch with this record player!
Just off the Ballroom was a loading area, very dark and strangely 2 coloured balls on the shelf
Near one of the smaller doors of the loading area was a box containing an old Lightmaster control unit
Back to the old hall, a very 80’s decorated lounge to the front of the complex
There was a very ornate fireplace in this lounge
In a courtyard within the complex, a second tower. I did not climb it however
The one and only Squash Court
In the fitness room
An interesting way to keep a door open
So upstairs, there was no one in here really…
… although those of a pale skinned disposition must beware!
Looking down into one of the Badminton Courts
Back to the old hall up these fantastic stairs
There are some nice examples of the stained glass windows in this part
Tower to Tower: From inside the main tower of the old hall
A creepy find of some wooden children’s blocks in the attic…
… with a rather unusual chalk drawing on the floorboards. That’s the end of the main building, time to scoot about the grounds.
The bowling green and ancillary building (no access to this however)
The tennis courts, can you imagine Andy Murray vs. this bush?
The astroturf pitch (to be renamed the “Moss Covered Pitchâ€)
The New Pavilion and cricket scoring hut
The Officials Changing Room in the New Pavillion (where they must have watched each other shower!)
No explore is complete without a key shot (New Pavilion)
Old Pavilion
The Man Bath for men (Old Pavillion)
This made me chuckle
Explored with the usual gang from Norwich. Big shout out to Sageman for the heads up.
The meeting room with Taylor’s Folly in the foreground which was explored previously
The Pinebanks logo on the door to the badminton court
The main tower of the original hall
There are many “lounges†which make up the original hall
The Pool Room with rather nice fireplace
A close up of the Pool Room fireplace
Between the old hall and the new part of the complex was a rather strangely position gate
The Ballroom looking from the stage area, bar at the end of the room
Bet you can’t scratch with this record player!
Just off the Ballroom was a loading area, very dark and strangely 2 coloured balls on the shelf
Near one of the smaller doors of the loading area was a box containing an old Lightmaster control unit
Back to the old hall, a very 80’s decorated lounge to the front of the complex
There was a very ornate fireplace in this lounge
In a courtyard within the complex, a second tower. I did not climb it however
The one and only Squash Court
In the fitness room
An interesting way to keep a door open
So upstairs, there was no one in here really…
… although those of a pale skinned disposition must beware!
Looking down into one of the Badminton Courts
Back to the old hall up these fantastic stairs
There are some nice examples of the stained glass windows in this part
Tower to Tower: From inside the main tower of the old hall
A creepy find of some wooden children’s blocks in the attic…
… with a rather unusual chalk drawing on the floorboards. That’s the end of the main building, time to scoot about the grounds.
The bowling green and ancillary building (no access to this however)
The tennis courts, can you imagine Andy Murray vs. this bush?
The astroturf pitch (to be renamed the “Moss Covered Pitchâ€)
The New Pavilion and cricket scoring hut
The Officials Changing Room in the New Pavillion (where they must have watched each other shower!)
No explore is complete without a key shot (New Pavilion)
Old Pavilion
The Man Bath for men (Old Pavillion)
This made me chuckle
Explored with the usual gang from Norwich. Big shout out to Sageman for the heads up.
