HartWood Hill49 viewsWhen we first started this exploring malarkey, we didn't have GPS to help us find out of the way locations.
And that's why, on a cold October day in 2003, while looking for HartWood; we found ourselves at HartWoodHill! Finding nothing but a very active hospital (with patients who stopped our car to chat with us as we drove around the grounds) we beat a retreat to find HartWood.
Fast forward five years, with the Hill Hospital now on a slow wind-down to probable closure and we are well due a return inspection!
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The Anger Managment Lion45 viewsIn front of the Anger Management Building (The Original 'Pavilion Wards'), LEO the Anger Management Lion surveys our progress with a haughty glare.
I snap this quick picture and we press on; before we piss him off too much!
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OTD - Church47 viewsThe Occupational Therapy Department and the Church.
There was an alarm in progress at this building as we passed it - inside was a giant Alsatian (who probably tripped the alarm) going mental. He looked a little... eh... 'rapey'... so we decided to give this building a miss! Security dogs in the buildings, hey? That's not good.
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OTD42 viewsA closer look at the Occupational Therapy Department.
Pity this building is so secure, it looks to be interesting!
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The Church48 viewsThe Church building.
I always find Churches at Asylums darkly ironic... How exactly CAN you treat someone who is convinced things that are not there are real, when you send him here every Sunday?
Hospital Chaplain: Just remember patients, God is real but the mystical entity who you believe watches you from inside the Television is not.
Hmmmm. Right you are.
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PowerPlant51 viewsThe massive Power-Plant hums gently as it provides heat to the wards. There's CCTV on this building, so we don't get too close.
All things considered, this place is remarkably secure... It's looking a bit touch and go to getting any internal shots at all!
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The Dry Cleaners46 viewsThe Dry Cleaners. I'm pretty sure this was not the original function of this building; I suspect it was taken over to house an enlarged Laundry function when the Laundry at HartWood was finally decommissioned (and then burnt down).
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The Mortuary60 viewsThe Combined Mortuary and Chapel of Rest.
Our information is that this wee building has been converted into a groundskeepers' office and workshop. Let's check!
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Mortuary Side On46 viewsFairly sizable, hey? I guess with long stay hospitals you gotta plan ahead.
(long stay hospital + keeping in mind when this hospital was built * in those days fever could rip through a ward in record time = have a decent sized mortuary!)
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Mortuary - COR Side44 viewsHmmmm. Right, let's be having a closer look!
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Inside The Mortuary55 viewsBugger. It does indeed look like our information was spot on - it's now no more than a big gardener's shed! :-(
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Burnt Out Wards50 viewsWards 21 and 22 - tragically burninated a few months previously; possibly by the same shower of cocks who set HartWood ablaze?
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Burnt Out Ward68 viewsA better look around the back at the damage. Remember kids, it takes a REAL MAN to set fire to an old boarded up hospital in the middle of nowhere.
Whoever did this has impressed THE SHIT OUT OF US with his reasoned approach, obvious intelligence and sheer charisma.
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Ward 2049 viewsWard 20... Holds some personal significance for me. Additionally this is where they ran the Drugs and Alcohol Dependency Unit!
We wait for nightfall.
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The Basement45 viewsInside the basement of one of the wards.
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In The Kitchen46 viewsWe emerge into one of the Wards by the kitchen!
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In The Kitchen 144 viewsLooks fairly self contained - the word 'Kitchen' isn't quite accurate, as this room would have been mainly used for reheating and serving the meals which would have been sent over from the main kitchens. You could make a cup of tea here, but a full turkey dinner for your family and friends?
I doubt it.
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Come Upstairs43 viewsPower and heat are still on in this building - it's sweltering in here, so after a few minutes of demisting the cameras we decide to head upstairs first.
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The Ward Area43 viewsLeaning around the door, checking out the top ward area.
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On The Ward39 viewsLooks like the Ward has been pretty heavily taken apart! :-(
Signs lead us to believe this was an ECT Ward... Let's see if the treatment room shows any signs?
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In The ECT Suite44 viewsNot much to see in here either - all the equipment has been removed (a while ago by the looks of it).
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The ECT Suite Recovery Area41 viewsThe door-plate simply said 'recovery area'.
At first glance it looks like everything (barring the sink) has been recovered!
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Almost Fully Stocked53 viewsBut looking a bit closer, it's clear that they left a whole bunch of stuff!
(but no drugs...)
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The Exit44 viewsLet's go and have a look at Ward 20, hey?
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Inside Ward 2047 viewsInside Ward 20!
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The Toilets46 viewsThe bogs... Straight showers and some toilets; certianly fits in with this being an ambulant ward for recovering Drug Addicts and Alcoholics.
We head onto the ward.
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The Bed Pile49 viewsWhile it's tempting to bounce on these like a school-kid on crack, we refrain for just now.
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The Stomach Pump62 viewsThis lone stomach pump remains as a reminder of this wards' primary business!
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Victor Vac53 viewsIt's like it's watching us. It wants our stomach contents!
RUN!!
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Exit The Ward48 viewsWe head off this ward, having seen what we came for.
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HHill-Site-Plan52 viewsSoooo, where to next?
We consult the map, and press onto Ward 19. Time is of the essence here, as the sun is threatening to come up while we are still exploring.
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The Mouldy Room53 viewsWe pop up in a room so covered with mould it's hard to stand up straight without slipping over on the mouldy floor! With the sun well and truly up, it's probably best.
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The Smoking Room56 viewsThe Smoking Room... Nice!!
The smell of nicotine enriched penicillin isn't helping me here, so we press on to the ward.
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The Ward67 viewsA bit less wrecked than the other wards, but clearly missing a few odds and ends!
I wonder about the beds here - this ward doesn't have an elevator (at all) and just narrow art-deco style concrete steps leading up. How the hell did they get the beds onto and out of the wards!??
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The Exit Corridor51 viewsWith the birds twittering away and the noises of the hospital around us waking up increasing in volume, we think it's about time to leave.
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The Anger Management Lion - Closer64 viewsI wonder what will happen to this chap when the wrecking ball finally hits this area of the hospital?
Ah well, good luck LEO!
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