A hotel near Reading is still abandoned a decade after a devastating fire.
Reading Lake Hotel in Pingewood was an attractive place to stay in its heyday, providing 81 rooms, health and spa facilities to guests.
But the hotel has been abandoned for years after it suffered a serious fire that took place there at around 11.30am on November 21, 2015.
At the time, 10 fire engines were used with 55 firefighters on scene to tackle the blaze, which took around two hours to extinguish.
Luckily, there were no injuries to guests and staff as a result of the fire.
The hotel struggled to recover after that. There are indications that the hotel was still functioning in 2018, albeit in a limited capacity.
A review from the time on Expedia stated: “Unfortunately, I have experienced this hotel at its best.
“The staff were nice and my room was upgraded to a suite, which was a lovely touch considering I stayed with my two children.
“The hotel is tired, there were lightbulbs out in the room, wallpaper peeling and framework missing from the doors.
“The shower was yellowing, and when used, sprayed from cracks behind the shower head. When on the balcony, you can see the other half of the hotel, which is closed off and unused.”
Bizarrely, one and two-bed rooms are still being advertised on Expedia website.
However, it is clear that the hotel was abandoned after that.
Armed police arrested two men on suspicion of producing cannabis and possession of a samurai sword in a building near the hotel during an incident on January 16, 2019.
The main building is sealed off and inaccessible. Eerily, the lights at the main reception remain switched on.
Next to the main hotel is the Henley Suite, which is intact and served as a meeting and events space.
In its day, it could hold up to 180 people in a theatre-style setup, with the opportunity to divide into smaller spaces for private meetings or be used as a single large room.
The suite had a bar selling a range of beers, wines and spirits.
Although it did not suffer fire damage, glass throughout the building has been smashed, with the entrances boarded up to deter intruders.
At least three Urban Explorers have posted videos on YouTube, taking a look around the hotel.
It was previously run by Copthorne Hotels, a brand owned by Millennium Hotels.
An attempt was made to contact Millennium Hotels, but no response has been received.
It is unlikely that the hotel will be brought back into use any time soon, as no new plans for the site could be found on West Berkshire Council’s planning portal, the planning authority for Pingewood.
The hotel is located next to the Hi5 Open Water Swim Centre, which continues to hold wild swimming on the lake.
