UK classic car ‘museum’ lies abandoned after closing in 1980s

Classic cars covering 60 years of motoring have been discovered almost frozen in time in an abandoned mill. Historic vehicles built between the 1920s and 1980s have been left collecting dust in the deserted factory, with classic Ford, Citroën and Jaguar models parked up and left to decay.

The site was covered by urban explorers, with the exact location of the site unknown. The mill is said to have closed down in the 1980s, with the site stripped of almost all its machinery and since filled with storage from antiques to miniatures to cars.

The impressive images were captured by Obsidian Urbex Photography, who uploaded their finds back in Spring 2025 but admitted to exploring the site a “few years” back. The mill’s ground floor houses its car collection, with dozens of models from across the ages parked up.

Obsidian Urbex Photography explained: “In the far corner lie 1930s old-timers, rusted and rotting and surrounded by moss and ferns. In an adjacent room are a couple of 1960s cars in similar condition.” Some of the oldest models are believed to be a Citroën B14 or B15, first produced by the French marque between 1926 and 1928.

Meanwhile, another model could be the Citroën AC4, first designed almost 100 years ago between 1928 and 1932. Obsidian also revealed there was a 1959-1962 Ford 500E Popular and a 1950s Panhard Dyna parked up.

Other models found left in the mill include a 1976-1986 Mercedes 200 W123, a black 1959–1967 Jaguar Mark 2 and a red 1961–1974 Jaguar E-Type. These cars may have undergone work recently, with the Jaguar Mark 2’s hood taken off, exposing the engine underneath.

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Meanwhile, the Jaguar E-type was uncovered still sitting up on blocks, appearing to be frozen mid-tyre change. Slightly more modern vehicles from the 1970s and 1980s are present, with the Oldsmobile Delta 88 among the picks of the bunch.

The Oldsmobile parked up was an eighth-generation variation, with the vehicle probably constructed between 1977 and 1985.

Upstairs, the mill houses something completely different, a collection of miniature scenes. One depicts a colourful amusement park, featuring small fairground rides, a helter-skelter and even a Ferris wheel.