Wow. It seems like the Victorian Era was just filled with wild, eccentric people. I guess they needed an outlet from their stifling society. It would be nice to see that ballroom restored and put to good use. :)

Real shame it's not being maintained, I can imagine it being relatively expensive and somewhat of an unknown hazard waiting to happen. I would think there's a way to make it work financially some way or another.

Bioshocky!

how is that old structure not leaking? Constant maintenance? my pipe dream after seeing this video would be to live in hydro echo structure part of it would be an under water structure like this but in a fresh water reservoir were the lake is made from damming a river and the dam would also be part the structure but it would all be covered by earth tov keep it all hidden/out of sight. the lake would be my water supply and the dam would generate electricity and aquaponics if possible like the Aztecs. have rafts that grow crops and the roots of the crops make it down to the water and the fake would also have lots of fish.

its a nice video giving some detail of the story but the "small stone building with the arched doorway" is not connected to the spiral staircase / hallway / "ballroom". They are two structures not connected and on opposite sides of the lake. The arched doorway structure isnt submerged below water level, it has multiple rooms below ground level which lead to a area where small rowing sized boats could dock. Then from there you can row down a very small and narrow tunnel about 50 - 100 meters long onto the lake. The spiral staircase entrance to the "ballroom" is where the photographers are standing taking the pictures of the statue. There is also another ballroom entrance that can only be accessed by boat on the stone platform seen behind the statue. The entrances are well secured, you are right about that.

I would love to come across while walking in the woods... The world is so cool

I just need a small loan of one million dollars and I'll build one of these for all of atlus obscuras fans to come to.

As someone who has snuck in here multiple times and done extensive research I can say that the spiral staircase with the door in the woods does not lead to the underwater ballroom (its actually a smoking room if we want to get technical). The only way to the room is to go down the stone steps at the front of the lake (always locked) or get a boat/swim to the island and go down the stairs there (also could most likely be locked as well). Ive been in here more than most and never made it to the ballroom but still some very cool things on the propety. Dont reccomend going tho as its very sketch and security are seriously on it

I was *just* thinking how much I'd love an Atlas Obscura video! And wow, great subject... that's super cool. And this dude couldn't do 7 years? You know what they say about doing the crime...

It was an underwater lounge, water makes you relax more, specially under water with no sounds from outside and disturbance. I guess, because of his circumstances he needed his moment of peace :P.

Absolutely love this channel! Really fascinating and well made videos. This particular place is only 6 miles south of where I live.

This is SO cool. Imagine to have photoshoots there...

I live two seconds from this place. The security is mental, he has shot someone trespassing apparently. I think its incredibly selfish to not allow people to see something so remarkable before it's left to ruin. It is history after all. I just want to marvel at it I don't want to ruin it or touch anything, jeese. Thank you for the video.😊

What a crazy history! They should really turn that ballroom into a museum or restore it back into a reception hall. #bestweddingever

Very Cool! I have seen photos of this before, but never knew the story behind it! Fantastic Video! Thanks For Sharing!

I am Whitaker Wright, and I'm here to ask you question... Is a man not entitled to the sweat of his brow? No, says the man in Washington, it belongs to the poor. No, says the man in the Vatican, it belongs to god. No, says the man in Moscow, it belongs to everyone. I rejected those answers, instead I chose something different. I chose the impossible.... I chose Lea Park!

How do you gain access or permission? I can't seem to find any contact information which is understandable as LOADS of people would pester and ask for it. Can you offer any help as this would have to be on my bucket list?

This place is freaking aweseome!

The owner is a snot who is deliberately allowing this gem to rot because it's 'his' land and he enjoys the power. It's one of the reasons why things like this should be owned by the likes of the National Trust and English Heritage, and not in private hands. I know because I've read his comments on a forum.

Stop!!!! Hammer time🎶

This guy's teeth are as beautifully mesmerizing as the subject matter...

It's not a ballroom. It's more of a billiards room. I used to live in Godalming when I was a kid/young adult and we went down there a few times. (this was around 1993)

Amazing that the glass hadnt broken yet or molded over

So, cleaning the muck would make it dazzling in there-wonder how many balls they had?

they should rent this out by the hour for sexytime.

woow I loved the video!

Estate burnt down in a fire. Where have I heard that before ??

Make a video about the Big Brutus and the Tree of 40 Fruit.

The owner of the land you had to cross to get to this was jailed for attempted murder after he shot a teenager who was exploring the underwater ballroom.

has any of the urban explorers managed to get in?

I’d be afraid there might be crack in the ceiling....ballroom beautiful though.

I found a way into there and got into the ballroom but it is full of water. Went down there and the alarm went off man CAME with his shotgun and chased us out! DONT ON IN THERE 👍👍👍💷💷💷💷

I loving the fact i live 5 mins away from it, yet it's so sad that i can't get in!

Please drop your background music level a bit.

Oops looks like I already didn’t respect the owners privacy 😔

This host reminds me of Steven Johnson.

Make it a tourist attraction to make money off of it!! It would pay for itself with all the folks who would want to see it.

cool!:)

Cover that thing with Mortys

Why hasnt it been maintained? What a waste

I'm working here at the moment there's a massive amount of work and money being put into the estate in the region of £50+m by the new owner

Real life Resident Evil underwater hive lab

Background music is a bit too foreground. Hard to really hear you.

Fix that background sound; its higher then his vocals. Bad editing.

I'm not impressed with the view of the lake. Seems a waste of money to look at mud.

I work at this house

Who's here because of Day of the Duchess?