Report - Tots TV house, Stratford upon Avon - August 2013

[DustySensorPhotography]

Any pointers as to where this place is because I'll be in Stratford in a few weeks time, and I'd really like to visit it - cheers

 

[captainwow]

Drop me a PM Oliver. It's hard to find unless you know the area.

 

[Thumper]

Very different and wonderful to see it reasonably intact just reclaimed by nature. Thank you for posting this great find!

 

[UrbanDoucheBag94]

Ahhhhhhh this is amazing! Loved Tots TV as a jongen!

 

[bristol_explorer]

Hey guys, came across this post when I was looking for the location of this house and felt I needed to update.

So yesterday after lots of searching we finally found the location of this little gem, turns out to be just across the road in some woodland from where the Tellytubby hill use to be (now filled in as a lake). While walking through one of the felids we crossed paths with a man that tuned out to be one of the land owners. He seemed nice but stern and asked us where we have come from (presume he gets a lot of visitors) and that we are on private land and that we needed to leave. I tried to explain that we were here totally innocently and just wanted to take a few pictures of the Tiney Tots TV house and be on our way, he was having non of it. Because we had travelled the distance and we were on private land I even offered him some money just to make our drive from Bristol worth the wile but again no luck. He said since the Youtube videos has gone up a couple months ago he has had loads of people driving on the land and poking around trying to find the house. He said it has been totally vandalised - windows smashed in, iconic little blue door taken (presumably to sell as tv prop memorabilia) and one side of the roof totally caved in. It's such a shame that people like that ruin it for us who just want to have a look and take a picture. So we left as there was no point in trying to sneak over has you have to go across a huge open field, as we were leaving we seen 2/3 more cars of youngers driving up presumably trying to have a look too so I think it's a bit of a hot spot at the moment and you most likely will be caught and asked to leave. This really is one location I don't think will be worth it anymore.

Bottom line, don't waste your time and petrol getting to what is left of this place (which now doesn't seem like a lot) watch the Youtube video of how this magical place looked at its prime derelict state. -A

Video link:

 

[Thumper]

This is the major problem now with urbex, full of yobs whose sole interest is to go there, nick stuff, trash it and then graffiti it, an utter shame that this hobby has turned into something linked with ASBO's. On my last visit to Holton Heath there were fireworks being set off inside and near me there's a charming manor house which has had vile words spray painted over it and the deceased owners belongings trashed. It really does make me sick because it gives us all a bad name. I also know someone who has turned the hobby into a family day out. Granted they are not trashing things but having small children in tow is not only highly irresponsible and dangerous but kids are hardly quiet and aware of the dangers! They've been spotted several times resulting in at least 3 places I know of having increased security and 1 being completely sealed shut.

 

[DustySensorPhotography]

Such a shame isn't it. I visited the Tots TV House about a month or so ago, and it had no visible graffiti what so ever. I looked at a few videos posted recently of the place, and windows have been smashed, someone's had off with the door, the place is smashed up in general etc. It's crazy to think that in the space of 9 months of me going and the person before me, nothing happened, yet within the space of a month, it's been trashed (without me giving out the location). As you said, it makes the job a lot more difficult for the proper Urban Explorers like us because of some yobs who get satisfaction from trashing a beautiful derelict site.

 

[Robert Matthews]

So after months of anticipating exploration of the Tots TV House and Film Set location. After the hard task and challenge of finding this set of the location in stratford upon avon. Being confident that I was in the right location, I set off on foot and on approach I was faced with what I thought was my life flashing before me a white four by four white car with a woman behind the wheel telling me to F**k off and I was the third person she had told to leave that day and the police were on their way and I was trespassing on private land. I then I said there was no need at all to use that sought of language like that and that's fine I'm leaving.

So after all that effort my first journey out of the house this year I there for have no photographs or filming to share or to show you and I was very disappointed not to be able to share this location of this history of special childhood memories.

So I have to say I think I know why I don't ventre going very far when you have people who speak to you like that. All though I do appreciate it was private land!

So anybody who grew up watching Tots TV and wants to visit the location set I would not bother at all. Because you would only be hurled with abuse at you and the owners they are not very nice very friendly lenient or welcoming to members of the public.

So to all my fellow bloggers who have managed to successfully film at tots tv location I hand it to you that you found an entrance or moment to the location without being seen.

 

[Thumper]

Sorry you had a bad experience, I was parked exactly where you were. No sooner had I turned the engine off I heard a quad bike and then saw it coming towards me from the dirt track that runs alongside the hedgeline. Camera hidden, angry farmer type cometh and in my best poshest accent asked if he would awfully mind telling me where Winton House was as I was getting terribly lost due to a demented sat nav. Not entirely sure if it truly worked but the angry attitude stopped and I received my directions and hastily left.

I went on a Sunday afternoon thinking it would be best. Apparently not. I do feel sorry for the farmers as they probably have a lot of people on their land that are not respectful and as you say, it is indeed trespass.

I know it's trashed but I too wanted to just see it as Tots TV and Teletubbies were part of my childhood and I got to Blobbyland literally days after it was demo'd. C'est La Vie.

If you intend to do Colins Barn expect the same, only worse.

 

[Pixieexpo]

Been a member on here for a long time, but never actually posted a report. Please go easy on me.

Since I was a child, when Tots TV was a current TV show, I've always wanted to see the miniature cottage used for filming. I always remember being able to see the chimney from the access road, and as it was near another very famous children's TV filming location, it didn't take much searching to work out where it was again. Which, coincidentally, was about a 10 minute bike ride from my house. So, one sunny August day, we decided to go and have a look.

I've heard stories of the land owner not taking too kindly to people trying to find it, which is understandable as it involves brazenly walking across his fields. He was seemingly distracted by a huge garden party in full swing, which worked well for us.

So, here's the standard issue "copied from Wikipedia" blurb:



The house was once surround by beautifully manicured lawns, protectively surrounded by a small copse:

Unfortunately getting that shot now would be all but impossible. Today, it's all more than slightly overgrown. This was our first view of the house: (apologies for the quality of the shots, they were shot on a phone and I'm no photographer.)

Coming around the side, towards that red front door. The green tarpaulin cover a sunken pit and entrance into the house, which is full height and was occupied by the production team:

Our first view of that famous little door:

Inside, it's obvious just how small this place is. The floor is no longer, and there are holes in the roof, but the stair case and upper rooms are intact:

And, last but not least, Donkey's shed:

Love this! Yours is the earliest ones I’ve found! Such a shame it doesn’t look like this now! Can’t believe be someone’s taken the door ‍♀️ You should of kept the key as a souvenir haha at least they couldn’t of stole it then maybe.. ☹️ Vandals always spoil it for us! Amazing report!

 

[tumbles]

This is the major problem now with urbex, full of yobs whose sole interest is to go there, nick stuff, trash it and then graffiti it, an utter shame that this hobby has turned into something linked with ASBO's. On my last visit to Holton Heath there were fireworks being set off inside and near me there's a charming manor house which has had vile words spray painted over it and the deceased owners belongings trashed. It really does make me sick because it gives us all a bad name. I also know someone who has turned the hobby into a family day out. Granted they are not trashing things but having small children in tow is not only highly irresponsible and dangerous but kids are hardly quiet and aware of the dangers! They've been spotted several times resulting in at least 3 places I know of having increased security and 1 being completely sealed shut.

Maybe the problem is putting it on YouTube just attracts these types...