Fawlty Towers

According to the website, this hotel "is conveniently located in the heart of Lancashire, close to the M6. It is situated near the charming village of Croston and short drive from Preston Lancashire with many local attractions on hand including Blackpool resort and Camelot Adventure Park." (Hmm . . now another Urbex tourist destination!)It "boasts 45 elegant bedrooms comfortably furnished and equipped with all modern comforts. The main areas and some rooms have free wireless Broadband internet access. Its restaurant "serves a wide selection of drinks and sumptuous meals. The  bar features a cosy ambiance in which guests can relax and sip their favourite ales while meeting new friends."      However, the above hotel ran into decline - read the reviews on Trip Advisor and you'll see what I mean. This place has only recently  closed and yet is already close to being totally trashed inside. Unfortunately, the day that we chose to visit, it had only just been completely boarded up and totally secured, after it allegedly being " a walk straight in" the previous week! Damn!        There had been photographs posted on various Urbex websites from only the previous week, with urbexers having a fun time inside - even jumping on the beds! Looking through the window, my friend spotted the name of one of these Urbexers on the wall - tut tut, should know better - they had evidently forgotten the Urbex golden rule, "Take only photographs, leave only footprints". We had a nosey round the back but there really was nothing doing here. No access. Naturally, there was a small collection of broken chairs, getting rather damp outside.   The front porch area had a collection of stained, damp mattresses piled up.         And, of course, there was rather a lot of broken glass.     We peeked through several of the windows, to survey just how trashed the rooms were. Please excuse the reflection but it was impossible to avoid it.     The main reception area was particularly trashed.      There a was an unbroken stained glass window round the back.

And finally, this sign which promised "the perfect setting for the most important day of your life." The lettering was difficult to read, as it was so faded.   Not any more . . .