Urban explorer Sean Piper discovered an abandoned £1.4million mansion complete with swimming pool, games room and extensive gardens – but there's one unanswered question

An urban explorer ventured into the woods searching for a £1.4million mansion and was baffled as to why it had been deserted and left to deteriorate.

Sean Piper squeezed through an unlocked window to investigate the Gloucester estate that has remained vacant for years. He was astonished by the remarkable potential the stunning property possessed before being ditched by its former residents.

The dwelling boasted a games room, sprawling grounds and a swimming pool, alongside chandeliers, tall ceilings and a generously proportioned kitchen. Yet over time, each of these spaces have decayed and become shrouded in a dense coating of dust.

Sean, hailing from Kent, explained: "There were surprisingly multiple windows left open, so we were able to jump in. The house was lovely inside, [it looked as though] [building] works had started but stopped suddenly."

He continued: "There was a snooker room, a lovely swimming pool and a large kitchen. It felt like whoever lived here may have been important or at least very wealthy.

"The highlight of the exploration for me was the swimming pool outside, along with the extensive and impressive gardens. There was so much land – mazes, sculptures and water fountains."

Sean reckons the estate was previously valued at £1.4million, though many years have elapsed since then. He remarked: "It's unclear why it's empty. Its last sale was in 1998, but clearly it's been disused for some time."

The reason behind the property's abandonment remains unclear – and it's the mystery that people want to solve.

Sean has developed his own theories – and shared: "Signs of old construction work suggest something was happening, but a long time ago. Perhaps they ran out of money and moved away. Shame to see such a nice home neglected."

There's a possibility that someone may be squatting in the mansion because Sean discovered clothing left the floor and a purple towel draped over a chair.

Nevertheless, the former inhabitants are nowhere to be seen. It seems they couldn't maintain the mansion's former glory, despite their efforts.

Sean observed: "They tried to save it. You can still see the scaffolding scars. Tucked deep in the countryside, this forgotten manor sits in limbo.

"Renovation began, then paused, the render peeled, the beams sagged. Now it waits – half-restored, half-abandoned.

"A listed relic with no press releases, no planning updates, and no one watching."

Sean added: "Its corridors echo with halted ambition. Wallpaper stripped but never replaced – floorboards lifted but never relaid.

"A mansion caught between memory and neglect, too historic to demolish, too costly to restore, and too forgotten to protect."

After Sean posted photographs of the estate with his 14,200 Instagram followers, the images attracted more than 700 likes.

His online audience isn't the only group captivated by the property – the urban explorer is considering making a return visit.

He concluded: "I'd happily see this house again and walk around the gardens."