Abandoned Devon cottage filled with photo slides of tribal communities from around the world is found by urban explorer
- The abandoned cottage in Devon was filled with photos of tribal communities
- Colin Smith, from Hampshire, believes property was abandoned 20 years ago
- Found living room crammed with wooden stools and a television from the 1990s
An abandoned cottage filled with photos of tribal communities from around the world has been uncovered by an urban explorer.
Colin Smith, 36, from Hampshire, discovered the time capsule house in Devon, which is believed to have been abandoned 20 years ago, while exploring the countryside area in May this year.
Upon entry into the property, the former plumber, who now runs the YouTube channel The Bearded Explorer, was astounded to discover a series of photo slides containing an array of images of tribal communities from the former owner’s travels.
Images taken by the urban explore revealed a living room crammed with wooden stools, a television from the 1990s and a cast-iron log burner.
The abandoned cottage in Devon, which is believed to have been abandoned 20 years ago, was discovered by Colin Smith, 36, from Hampshire, in May
The former plumber, who now runs the YouTube channel The Bearded Explorer, discovered a series images of tribal communities from the former owner’s travels
A room inside the property revealed a series of photo slides that appeared to have been untouched for 20 years
As he approached the property, Mr Smith found the front door to the cottage had been left open
Another room featured old furniture, a desk and a number of electrical appliances.
During his exploration of the property, Mr Smith also discovered what appeared to be the photographs of the occupant’s grandchildren and pets on the mantelpiece.
Mr Smith estimated that the property has been left abandoned for at least 20 years due to the expiry dates on the food.
He said: ‘Someone had been there before me because the door to the abandoned cottage was just left wide open.
‘But the house was practically untouched and there was no graffiti or vandalism which was great to see.
‘I think the place must have been left for about twenty years judging by the dates on the food left in the kitchen and the layers of dust covering everything.
‘I came across a set of photo slides, showing tribespeople in remote communities, so whoever lived in the house obviously travelled all around the world.
Mr Smith discovered what appeared to be the photographs of the occupant’s grandchildren and pets on the mantelpiece
One room inside the property revealed a living room crammed with wooden stools and electrical appliances
A wooden desk inside the abandoned cottage was covered with dust and what appeared to be a statue of a dog
While inside the property Mr Smith also found an old mug and a brush on the windowsill
An old radio (left) and a retro kettle (right) were also discovered by the urban explorer
Another room inside the abandoned property in Devon was filled with a number of books
‘There was also an amazing photo album full of Indian steam trains which was fascinating.
‘All of their possessions were left in the house, which makes me think that maybe whoever lived here, lived alone and had nobody to sort out their stuff after they died or ended up in hospital.
‘It can be sad seeing all of a person’s possessions just left to gather dust, but it’s also amazingly interesting to step inside such an interesting time capsule.’
Mr Smith later took to Instagram to write: ‘A little tiny home hidden far out in the countryside completely left for nature to reclaim all the wonderful memories that were made here.
‘It made me sad that there was nobody who wanted to save anything here, but like always there are so many reasons why these places are left like this, sadly like most we will never know the reasons why.’
A kitchen in the property featured a washing machine, a sink and a number of pots and pans on the walls
Mr Smith said it was ‘sad that there was nobody who wanted to save anything here’. Pictured: An old newspaper inside the property
The urban explorer also discovered an old typewriter on a wooden table inside the property