Reports - Asylum
Denbigh Asylum
Where? Denbighshire. Photos 51. Comments 8. Posted 15 June 2007.
Denbigh asylum was built in mid-1840s. Over the years it expanded to house more and more patients, reaching a maximum capacity of 1500 in the 1950s.
This asylum lasted roughtly 150 years when it closed in 1995. It is situated on over 100 acres of beautiful Welsh land (sheep, cows, hills, trees etc).
Hellingly Hospital
Where? Hellingly, East Sussex. Photos 85. Comments 30. Posted 3 December 2006.
Had a little trip down to Hellingly Hospital in East Sussex (formerly known as East Sussex County Asylum). It opened in 1903 and closed in the early 1990s.
Weather and vandals have taken their toll on the hospital, but it was one of the most atmospheric places I've been. There were quite a few bits left, like chairs and curtains. This shocked me!
Leybourne Grange Hospital
Where? Maidstone, Kent. Photos 62. Comments 44. Posted 11 November 2006.
Leybourne Grange is located right beside the M20 near Maidstone. That said, you wouldn't know it's there - it covers around 270 acres and is very tree-based. The trees (and fresh air etc) were meant to be good for the patients. 1200 patients.
It opened in 1936, was used for sixty years, and finally closed in 1996. There is a private school on the site which is still in use. The colony was built in the grounds of a huge manor house which still remains. The manor house also has an impressive clock tower.
A lot of the buildings are very well boarded up, but we managed to look in a few 
Little Plumstead Hospital
Where? Norfolk. Photos 17. Comments 7. Posted 31 December 2007.
Little Plumstead was home to Norfolk's main "mental deficiency colony". In recent years, it has closed down. Sadly a lot of the buildings have been demolished to make way for housing. Part of the site remains in use as a hospital. This section is due to close soon, with around 100 patients moving to community-based services. I think a re-visit will ensue before more houses are built.
Severalls Asylum
Where? Colchester, Essex. Photos 82. Comments 8. Posted 3 September 2006.
Severalls Asylum was built in 1913. It closed in the late 1990s. In it's heyday it housed 2000 patients; some of which were used in experimental medical tests/operations.
Recently it has been sold for redevelopment. Apparently the whole site is to be demolished. I thought I should go for a quick (4 hour) look...
Severalls Asylum - Myland Court
Where? Colchester, Essex. Photos 30. Comments 5. Posted 1 October 2006.
Went back to Severalls. The last visit barely scratched the surface! Also took my tripod this time - cue better pictures inside.
Or so I imagined.
Sadly we didn't get to the main complex, so we settled on exploring Myland Court. In the past this building housed a mother & baby unit, an occupational therapy department, and an E.C.T clinic..
Severalls Asylum again
Where? Colchester, Essex. Photos 46. Comments 5. Posted 10 December 2006.
On previous visits to Severalls I always managed to miss some things - like upstairs, cells and the morgue. Today I made another trip there to see these things... with success
Also met up with about 10 other members of 28DL which was quite fun!
Severalls Asylum revisited
Where? Colchester, Essex. Photos 67. Comments 8. Posted 30 October 2006.
A return visit to Severalls Asylum was on the cards after last month's slightly short trip. Went back with Abo for quite a successful little trip.
Stafford County Lunatic Asylum
Where? Stafford. Photos 29. Comments 9. Posted 15 January 2008.
Stafford County Asylum opened in 1818 to accomodate 120 patients. Over the years it expanded and housed around 1000 patients. During the 1950s, it was renamed St George's Hospital. Like so many other asylums, it closed in the mid-1990s. There are plans to convert the Grade II listed buildings into "100 distinctive dwellings", and work should be starting in 2008.
