Exploring The Abandoned HMP Reading
Back at the start of November, myself, Brummy Explores, MOD Dan1, MOD Ry, and that one explorer stumbled into an adventure we never expected to have — effectively “breaking into” a prison.
(For the record, we didn’t actually break in… it just sounds cooler.)
We started the day by scouting out the site and quickly noticed a dog unit had been posted on location. Instead of putting us off, it made the explore feel even more intense. We continued searching for the best point on the wall to get over.
Eventually, we found the perfect spot. With that, it was time to commit — no questions, no messing about. One by one we climbed the ladder, sitting on top of the wall while waiting for the last person to get up so we could pull the ladder over and begin exploring the abandoned HMP Reading.
This explore turned out to be one of the best — and eeriest — we’ve ever done. We spent around three hours inside during the morning, taking photos, filming, and imagining what life must have been like for the prisoners, officers, and everyone who worked within those walls.
After exploring every part of the prison we could access, we decided it was time to go, making our “great escape” back over the wall and out.
Later, while passing by again before leaving Reading, we noticed the prison was fully lit — the power was on. Obviously, we had to take advantage of that. So we sent it back inside to capture nighttime shots and experience what a prison feels like after dark.
This second explore didn’t last long. We were caught by three security officers and two dogs — and that was our cue to leave, fast.
A Bit of History: HMP Reading
HMP Reading, originally known as Reading Gaol, was built in 1844 and designed by architect George Gilbert Scott. The prison became well known for its radial design, based on the “separate system” intended to keep prisoners isolated from one another.
It housed both men and young offenders over the years and is most famously associated with Oscar Wilde, who was imprisoned there from 1895–1897. His experiences later inspired The Ballad of Reading Gaol.
The prison officially closed in 2013, and since then has remained largely unused, occasionally opening for exhibitions, events, and rare public tours. Its imposing Victorian architecture and long history make it a well-known site in UK urban exploration.
Credits
Massive credit to MOD Dan1 for providing the photos from this explore — couldn’t have captured it the same without him.
Inside Nottingham’s Abandoned Guild Hall | Police Cells, Courtrooms & Pure Chaos!
Join us as we step inside Nottingham’s massive abandoned Guild Hall complex, including the old police station, courtrooms and fire station! What should’ve been a quiet explore quickly turned into one of the craziest nights we’ve ever had…
Inside, we unexpectedly bumped into around 20 other explorers wandering the corridors, police cells and fire station bays. The atmosphere was unreal — echoing footsteps, voices through empty hallways, and that eerie feeling.
Just as we were making our way out, things got even more intense when we ran into security, turning this explore into a heart-pounding rush to the exit.
If you love UK urban exploring, forgotten history, or adrenaline-filled moments, you’re going to enjoy this one! ➡️ Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT & SUBSCRIBE to join us on more explores! 📸 “Take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints.”
Exploring Birmingham’s Abandoned PRYZM… for the 3rd Time! | Police Show Up & Dee Gets Arrested?!
Welcome back to the channel — this time, I’m diving into PRYZM Birmingham for the third time 🕺… but things don’t go quite how I expected.
About PRYZM Birmingham
PRYZM was one of the most iconic nightclubs on Broad Street in Birmingham. Originally it was the legendary Gatecrasher, but in 2016 it relaunched with a £1.4 million renovation under the Deltic Group.
The venue was huge: up to ~2,500 capacity across three floors.
Inside, there were four distinct rooms: a main arena, a more intimate R&B-style “Curve” room, a pure house “House” room, and a retro disco “Vinyl” area.
It was known for its cutting-edge light & sound tech, massive LED screens, neon lights and disco balls — definitely a proper super-club. soundvibemag.com
The club catered to a young crowd and mixed genres like electronic, hip-hop, and R&B, which made it a central hub for Birmingham’s nightlife. soundvibemag.com
Ownership & Business Background
PRYZM in Birmingham was run by Rekom UK (previously the Deltic Group).
Unfortunately, in early 2024 Rekom UK went into administration, citing major financial pressures — rising energy costs, business rates, and a drop in student night-out spending due to the cost-of-living crisis.
As a result, PRYZM Birmingham closed with immediate effect.
The closure meant more than 70 jobs were lost.
According to local business groups, there are already plans or hopes to redevelop the former club space.
Why It’s So Legendary / Why I Keep Exploring It
For years, PRYZM was the place to go in Birmingham for a big night out — massive dancefloor, big-name DJs, and a wild clubbing experience.Because of its size and layout, there are so many corners and rooms to explore; it’s a playground for urban exploration.
The contrast between how vibrant it was in its prime and how it is now (after closure) gives it a hauntingly nostalgic feel.
In This Video / Exploration
I go back in for the third time, pushing boundaries further than before — checking out parts I haven’t explored in my previous visits.
Things go wrong: this time, it escalates — the police are called, and yes, Dee gets arrested (for real).
I document every twist: the layout, the vibe, security, and the tension of being caught in real time.
I reflect on the club’s history (from Gatecrasher to PRYZM), and what its closure means in the bigger picture of Birmingham nightlife.
Why You Should Watch
If you love urban exploration, this is not just another abandoned building: it’s one of the UK’s most iconic clubs.
There’s real stakes — the risk of getting caught, plus a lot of emotional weight because of the club’s legacy. It’s a story about change: the nightlife boom, the decline, and how places like PRYZM have shaped our memories.
Sneaking Around The Abandoned Square Shopping Centre | Caught By Security… Then Back In!
We went sneaking and creeping through the abandoned Square Shopping Centre in Birmingham, exploring hidden corners and forgotten spots. Things got intense when security caught us—but that didn’t stop us from sneaking back in for more!
About the Square Shopping Centre:
Once a busy hub in the heart of Birmingham, the Square Shopping Centre is now abandoned, giving urban explorers the chance to discover hidden spaces, forgotten details, and the quiet remnants of its past.
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#UrbanExploration #Urbex #AbandonedPlaces #Birmingham #SneakingAdventure #TheSquare
Inside the Abandoned HMP Reading | Haunting Remains of a Historic Prison
Join us on a rare urban-exploration journey into the haunting corridors of the former HMP Reading – a historic Victorian prison in the heart of Reading, Berkshire. Built in 1844 on the site of the old county gaol and partly over the remains of Reading Abbey, this imposing red-brick structure was one of the earliest examples of the “separate system” of prison design, with a hub-and-spoke layout by architects Sir George Gilbert Scott and William Bonython Moffatt.
Over the decades, HMP Reading witnessed public executions in its forecourt (the first in 1845 before a crowd of 10,000), internment of Irish rebels after the 1916 Easter Rising, internment of foreign nationals in the world wars, use as a borstal for young offenders, and finally a remand centre and Young Offenders Institution until its closure in December 2013.
On this two-stage exploration, we’ll wander through the shadowy wings, inspect the peeling cell walls, trace the footsteps of literary legend Oscar Wilde (who penned The Ballad of Reading Gaol during his 18-month sentence here), and reflect on the layers of heritage — from abbey infirmary to gaol to derelict ruin.
Expect to document the architecture, the deterioration, and the stories that echo off the cold stones — twice in one day, to see how the light changes, how the atmosphere shifts, and to capture both surface-and-shadow. Whether you’re a history buff, an urban explorer, or simply someone drawn to abandoned places, this visit promises a deep dive into one of Britain’s most evocative former prison sites.
⚠️ Important Note: This exploration is undertaken as part of the ‘Take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints’ ethos. Access should be legal, safe and respectful of the heritage building’s status (the prison is Grade II listed).
