Two Girls One Building

The Springs Hotel, built in 1874, was once owned by famous Deep Purple member Ian Gillian. He purchased the hotel in 1973 with a former Girlfriend, undertaking extensive restoration work. It was the couple that commissioned the hotels unique guitar-shaped swimming pool in the grounds. The hotel's last owners quoted that any potential profits from the hotel were being eaten up by online booking companies and increasing upkeep costs. The building closed in October 2014 with a undecided future, and unfortunately has been left abandoned ever since. The current owners of both golf course and hotel Mr and Mrs Franklin have decided to solely focus on the golf course business, and have said it would be an investment of millions to update the hotel. The hotel itself has a massive 32 bed room capacity, and is still on the grounds of the running golf course whom boasted 400 club members in 2014. Finding our way into site was surprisingly easy, but into the building itself, not so much....

Not much is known about this hotel and conference centre, Droxford, Southampton. We believe it was built in the 1930's, but can't confirm. This is an 7.54 acre site with one main two storey building, four en-suite rooms and a separate stable block with 13 rooms, conference rooms and staff housing. There is massive expanse of parking for approximately 55 vehicles. Pictures we have seen previously have been very deceptive about the size of the site and there are quite a few buildings to explore. Unfortunately before our visit a fire occurred on the 11th June, suspected arson. Luckily this only seems to have affected the reception area, but the roof of this section is gone, with debris and charred remains throughout. Not a lot is known about the close of the hotel either, although reviews that have been left online slam all aspects of its running, and even before the hotel closure in 2012, it was noted as being very 'dated.' There are rumors of previous staff seekin...