westphillips's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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Lorton, Virginia

Laurel Hill House

Standing for over 200 years, the abandoned home of a Revolutionary War hero and later a succession of prison superintendents.
Cape Charles, Virginia

Kiptopeke's Concrete Fleet

Nine of the very few concrete ships ever made in the U.S. are beautifully decaying off a Virginia pier.
Radford, Virginia

St. Albans Sanatorium

Paranormal investigators claim this abandoned asylum is the most haunted spot in the eastern U.S.
Oxford, England

C.S. Lewis's Grave

The beloved fantasy novelist is buried near a church containing a whimsical etched glass window full of Narnia favorites.
Dunfermline, Scotland

Saint Margaret's Cave

A hidden tunnel leads to a medieval queen's shrine buried beneath a parking lot.
Aberfoyle, Scotland

Doon Hill and Fairy Knowe

This enchanting hill is home to fairy lore and a sinister local mystery.
Tongwynlais, Wales

Castell Coch (The Red Castle)

High Victorian fantasy created a fairytale castle out of a ruined fortress in Wales.
Cardross, Scotland

The Ruins of St. Peter's Seminary

One of Scotland's most important modern structures, it just made the '100 Most Endangered Sites' list.
Seaview, England

No Man's Land

This foolish Victorian sea fort was converted to a deluxe hotel.
Argyll and Bute, Scotland

Puck's Glen

This ethereal, rainforest-like gorge is home to waterfalls, quaint bridges, and fairy folk.
East Lothian, Scotland

Yester Castle

Ruined castle with subterranean vaulted Goblin Ha' or "Goblin Hall."
Tintagel, England

Merlin’s Cave

It is said the legendary wizard once lived in this sea cave beneath Tintagel Castle.
London, England

The Mayflower Pub

The London pub overlooks where the Mayflower was moored before setting sail for the New World.
Oxford, England

J.R.R. Tolkien's Grave

The names Lúthien and Beren can be found inscribed on the shared grave of the famous writer and his beloved wife and muse.
London, England

Philpot Lane Mice Sculpture

A mysterious pair of mice eating a piece of cheese is London's smallest public sculpture.
Chester, England

Minerva's Shrine

Western Europe's only representation of a Roman goddess still in its original location sits in an unassuming park.
Kyle of Lochalsh, Scotland

Eilean Donan

The most iconic structure in Scotland has been home to bishops, colonels, and Sean Connery characters.
Godalming, England

Witley Wonder Underwater Ballroom

The hidden "ballroom" under a mansion lake was built by a criminal who ate a cyanide pill during his trial.
Barú, Colombia

Pablo Escobar's Abandoned Secret Island Mansion

Hidden amid the tropical forest in the Caribbean Sea are the decaying ruins of the Cocaine King's luxurious island party home.
Istanbul, Turkey

Theodosian Wall Stone Ladder

Climb a set of vertiginous stone steps to the top of this impressive ancient edifice.
Karabağ Köyü, Turkey

Cathedral of Mren

This ancient abandoned church in a remote part of Turkey is in danger of falling over.
Avarız Köyü, Turkey

Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival

Brawny guys rolling around in oil is the oldest regular sporting event besides the Olympics.
Gaziantep, Turkey

Abandoned Turkish Bath

This hidden gem is bathed in beautiful natural light.