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Suffolk House was last owned by Cardiff County Council and is a property steeped with emotional history for many children. In 2006, it came to light that the Local Authority had paid more than £3million in compensation to sexual abuse victims that had been abused whilst in the care of children services. Many of these had been housed at this prime location.
The Urbex Photography team were keen to visit what we have dubbed “The Home of Children’s Nightmares” to see what was left behind and to share what we found left behind after the last person left.
Suffolk House…
Visit Date: April 2018
Built in 1865, Suffolk House was built by Benjamin Wright as a wedding present for his daughter. Suffolk House comprises of a three storey villa with a classical porch and decorative bays. There is also a two story annex to the rear which is in turn linked by an extension to a further two storey building located within the centre of the site.
The building is designated a Locally Listed Building by Cardiff County Council and is located within the Conway Road Conservation Area.
Suffolk House is located just a few minutes away from Cardiff City Centre and is considered as “prime real estate” so we weren’t surprised that the property would be snapped up quickly and plans approved to demolish the existing buildings.
Between 2015 -
You can see all of our images from this location within the gallery below. All of our images are available to purchase in both printed and digital format, for more information, please contact us.
We weren’t expecting much from our visit at Suffolk House but given its past use, we were keen to take a look around to see what was left behind. Despite the doors and windows being sealed, we were able to gain entry through an unlocked window on the upper level.
Walking around, we saw nothing but stripped rooms and corridors, signs of asbestos and metal thefts. Initially disappointed, it wasn’t long until Cardiff Council yet again failed, this time by leaving behind court orders, photographs, medical information and social workers written records for anybody to sit and read… like us!
As we moved around Suffolk House, we were shocked to see such stunning details throughout the building such as the ceilings and woodwork around the staircases.
The reality of abandoned buildings soon hit us though when we discovered clear signs that somebody was sleeping and using drugs within the building.
Shouting “photographer” to make ourselves known, we continued exploring Suffolk House.
We contacted Cardiff County Council from within Suffolk House to inform them of the significant breach of data protection. Unfortunately they were more concerned with how we gained entry and letting us know they no longer own the property rather than taking immediate steps to recover information about highly vulnerable people.
After leaving the building, we contacted them once again, this time as members of the UK Press. After threatening to publish the information within the National News and raise the matter with the Family Courts, we’re pleased to say that their legal team and representative from children services attended within the hour and removed all confidential paperwork.
The Urbex Photography team sends their thoughts to all of the victims of abuse. No amount of money will take the hurt you experienced away, no amount of money will take the memories away.
We hope you are recovering and in a position where you can look at the positives of life. We wish you the best.
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Beyond The Lens Photography does not condone or encourage trespassing, breaking criminal law or unsafe behaviour. We will not be held responsible for any injuries or deaths that may occur as a result of imitating our work. We will not be held responsible for any damage caused by another person to an unsecured property we have visited, photographed and reported.
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