Location277 viewsThe first sight that greets you as you round the drive to the main building; stately!
John Travolta once tried to buy this place to convert it into a wacko-nut-job Scientology(TM) centre! Unfortunately, while the local council were impressed with his offer financially, they refused it because of a low Thetan-Count (or some such other bollox)!
|
|
Location164 viewsIf we needed a reminder of where we are: just look on any curtain or asset!
|
|
Admin At Night128 viewsHmmmmmm, pretty!! The Admin Wing sits, imposing at the bottom of the hill. Tonight we are more interested in the outlying buildings however and intend to check-out Ward 1!
Let's go!
|
|
Nasty Ward106 viewsIt doesn't look nearly so cheerful and inviting by night! It's been a long while since I've seen this ward and signs of wear and tear are evident, with rough-cast becoming shabby; falling off in places and the bright white of the wards turning to grey...
|
|
Main Reception259 viewsMain Reception (the Admin Building) and Ward 4 (Teenage and adolescent) are contained within the original BirkWood House.
|
|
Entrance Hall - Coat of Arms182 viewsStraight away, we can TELL this isn't going to be the run-of-the-mill exploration. This place is MINT and is full of original period features!
Let's check it out!
|
|
Wards180 viewsInside the wards, it's been stripped, but not bare.
|
|
First Corridor85 viewsThanks to the exceptional boarding-up job done at this ward a few years ago, not much light filters in.
The bottom floors are warm and humid and the midge bites I received outside are starting to itch!
|
|
When Built240 viewsMuch as I love to slate the NHS when they destroy a building, I have to give credit where it's due and point out that this hospital has been very well maintained.
The heat is on, security is on the ball (very!) and the place has a looked after feel that few sites I've visited could match.
|
|
Ground Floor - The Lamp183 viewsThis DARAY inspection lamp eyes us nervously as we pass.
|
|
On The Ward157 views
|
|
Three Kings FishEye86 viewsAs we pass an empty cupboard, the three kings catch our eye.
What is it with Xmas decorations, ALWAYS Xmas decorations!
On closer inspection the cupboard isn't totally empty... I head inside.
|
|
Huge Balls251 viewsLook at the size of that STONE GONAD!!! :-O
|
|
Ground Floor - The FirePlace194 viewsOriginal marble fire-place. Stunning!
|
|
Old Beds167 views
|
|
The Assesment Book97 viewsSitting open on a shelf, the assessment book waits. Here, you can catalogue every aspect of a persons' ability and personality, from reading and writing to personal hygiene.
A reminder of where we are.
|
|
Coach Way286 viewsNice, nice and NICE! This original CoachWay was used to keep the gentleman and ladies head dry on rainy days - as the coach could pull right up to the entrance!
|
|
Ground Floor - The Display Case203 viewsStupid flash! :-(
|
|
All Us Bouncy226 viewsThe team relax for a moment on the MASSIVE 'story time' bean bag that lies in the ward.
Funny story, I lay back and closed my eyes for a wee moment while everyone was off exploring the part of the wards I'd already seen... and Agent:X woke me up a good half-hour later!
Well, it was 3am and I was doing the driving!
|
|
More Of The Assesment Book91 views'Personal Hygiene' - Menstrual Care.
Yeach, I would NOT want to teach that class! :-S
|
|
DingDong238 viewsRiiiiiiiiiiiingggggggggggggggggggg!!
|
|
Ground Floor - The Ceiling188 viewsWe move on from the ground floor - to the basement!
|
|
Dayroom Bay Windows163 views
|
|
Privacy Notice102 viewsAnyways, the lower floors are a little depressing and fairly bare.
This sign peaks our interest and we head up stairs.
|
|
Side with CoachWay244 views
|
|
Basement - Dummy263 viewsThe basement is guarded by a replica of... eh... Abe Lincoln? Santa?
|
|
BathRoom161 viewsInside the ward bathroom - I always find 'childrenisation' of rooms awkward and creepy.
I wonder if the kids even liked having giant cartoon characters painted everywhere?
|
|
Bucky Monkey114 viewsWe are greeted onto the ward by the Bucky Monkey.
|
|
Tower Bell223 viewsThe fire bell (original) can just be made out up the tower... I wonder if we will get a chance to visit this from the other (on top) side?
|
|
Basement - Larder221 viewsInside the basement larder: a veritable feast of expired produce!
|
|
BathRoom1143 views
|
|
Top Ward114 viewsMost wards are like this - pretty much stripped. Some have some cupboards intact, but we didn't find a single bed in the entire place. This ward may have been the first to close.
|
|
All Us297 viewsTurboZutek - PGCC - Fossy - SisterBlue - Agent:X
|
|
Basement - Larder Nature Finds a Way190 viewsExpired or not, nature WANTS that brown sauce and jam!
|
|
Bathroom Lift-O-Bath159 viewsFairly standard hydraulic bath... To the right was a fairly NON-standard hydrotherapy unit! A mat could be placed in the bath and by remote control a series of aqua-therapy programmes could be selected.
I'd LOVE one of these for the house!
|
|
The NightMare Door97 viewsWe pass through this fairly creepily adorned door...
|
|
Around the Back245 views
|
|
Basement - Toy Library214 views
|
|
Corridor One147 viewsThese corridors... something doesn't feel right.
I can't quite put my finger on it though...
|
|
The People110 viewsI know this was meant to be a cheerful wee mural, colourful, bright and happy.
It doesn't feel anything like that stood there alone beside it. There's a chill in the air from the open windows in this ward...
|
|
|
|
