A workhouse has been at this site near Hales since the 1760s.
In 1927, the workhouse was closed and the building converted into an institution for “mental defectives”. After 1930, control passed to Norfolk County Council and the establishment was renamed Heckingham Institution. In 1948, it became part of the National Health Service as Hales Hospital which closed in around 1990. The buildings are currently empty and awaiting redevelopment. (Copied from Workhouses website – more info and external photos can be found there).
There are plans to convert it into residential homes, but these seem to be on hold.
Outside
It was difficult to get outside photos – lots of people were round the front, so most of these are taken through the very few open windows.
Basement
First stop was the vaulted basement area.
Kitchen and Dining Room
This bit doesn’t need much explanation…
Corridors and rooms
The building was extremely well boarded up – inside was very dark. A few tiny bits of boards had fallen off giving small glimmers of light. Not much had been smashed up, but it was very empty.
Sewing room
On the way out, I popped into the “Sewing room” – this seems to be the most smashed up building on site, probably because it’s on the edge with easy access for kids.
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Excellent pix – I want my DSLR and I want it now!!! Okay maybe in the Autumn
Great pics there mate! Ready for redevelopment… Not sure I’d fancy living in a converted mental hospital!! As far as urban exploration goes, there’s something particularly spooky about asylums… Thanks for posting!
Hey, took a trip up there this weekend. Got into a bit of trouble as i assume the houses nearby saw us walking there, they must have called the coppers in. Got to the boiler room at the back and the escorted us off the premises. akward.
Tried exploring thease grounds but some nasty looking gypsy’s with dog’s told us to leave or else :s,,
the other one close to norwich is better
Hi,
Does anyone have any tips for this kinda thing as me and my friend are really into photography and find these places facinating.
Thanks
i’ve heard rumours of guard dogs on a night time
is this true?
My 4 x Great uncle lived here when it was a workhouse.He died in 1905 at the age of 84. I have found these pictures amazing It would be nice if they did something with it rather than destroying it.