Regency Ballroom, England

The Regency Ballroom is an abandoned early 19th Century ballroom and social venue in England. This location is a rare jewel among UK urbex, in terms of grandeur and scale. This building has been abandoned since the mid-1990s. After several spates of lead theft, the roof has leaked and sagged. Inside the wooden areas of the floor are rotting and partially collapsing. Plaster moulding falls from the ceilings as large segments as well as crumbling finer dust. Amazingly, over two decades of decay and water ingress have failed to dull the beauty of this place.

I have had the pleasure of exploring this exquisite place three times so far. I think this one will always be one of my favourite ballrooms, even rivalling most of the impressive ones in East Germany.

History of the Regency Ballroom

Originally the location played an important role in the social events of high society. Specifically, these would have been merchants and wealthy traders. Dance balls and parties, as well as assemblies, were held here. For over 100 years the upper classes came here to meet and socialise. Eventually, the social club closed in the early 1920s. After this the venue continued to be used for dancing and weddings up until the Second World War.

In the 1960s the Regency Ballroom opened up once again as a social venue. Wooden bars were installed in the drawing room and refreshment rooms, which lead off from the central hub room. The venue closed in the mid 1990s, and the building has lain abandoned ever since.

The years of dereliction have not been kind to the ballroom. The building suffers from dry rot and damp, made worse by the roof being stripped of lead by thieves. Despite the decay, this building evokes fond memories for many locals. Many friendships were forged here, as well as relationships kindled. Additionally, many local people were married here over the decades.

Emergency repair works on the roof were done recently, in an attempt to halt the decline. It is hoped these repairs will buy time before restoration work can begin.