Been meaning to check this place out for ages, but with two previous attempts being unsuccessful for one reason or another I wasn't too hopefull at ever getting it done. However today presented the perfect opportunity.
Visited with Raptor Jesus, who's been desperate to get out and do something since arriving in Kent 4 weeks ago on a temporary license from the Midlands.
There's not been a report on here for about 2 years and it's more trashed now than previous reports show, with building work having started; however it's still well worth a visit. Work seems to have come to a standstill at the moment leaving the building in limbo.
History shamelessly stolen from a previous report:
Prior to Bellerby's taking over this school in about 1995 it was known as Mayfield College. Mayfield was founded by the Duchess of Leeds as an Orphanage. In 1868 a Roman Catholic Order of Religous Brothers, known as the Xaverians Brothers, moved from Hastings to run Mayfield College as an independent boys boarding school. The school continued to flourish under the direction of the Brothers until 1977 when, due to a shortage of vocations into the Brothers, the school was taken over by the Mayfield College Educational Trust. It retained strong links with the Brothers several of whom still lived and taught at the College.
However in about 1995 the Trust felt unable to continue the administration of the school and it was sold to Bellerby's of Wadhurst, they changed the name of the school to Bellerby College, Mayfield. The college closed in approx 2004.
The building is pretty stripped, but so many of the origenal features remain in the older part it makes for a pretty good explore. If you like stained glass, carved woodwork and ornate plaster ceilings then this is the place for you. Oh and fireplaces, this place has lots and they're quite imposing features.
Thanks for looking!
Maniac.
Visited with Raptor Jesus, who's been desperate to get out and do something since arriving in Kent 4 weeks ago on a temporary license from the Midlands.
There's not been a report on here for about 2 years and it's more trashed now than previous reports show, with building work having started; however it's still well worth a visit. Work seems to have come to a standstill at the moment leaving the building in limbo.
History shamelessly stolen from a previous report:
Prior to Bellerby's taking over this school in about 1995 it was known as Mayfield College. Mayfield was founded by the Duchess of Leeds as an Orphanage. In 1868 a Roman Catholic Order of Religous Brothers, known as the Xaverians Brothers, moved from Hastings to run Mayfield College as an independent boys boarding school. The school continued to flourish under the direction of the Brothers until 1977 when, due to a shortage of vocations into the Brothers, the school was taken over by the Mayfield College Educational Trust. It retained strong links with the Brothers several of whom still lived and taught at the College.
However in about 1995 the Trust felt unable to continue the administration of the school and it was sold to Bellerby's of Wadhurst, they changed the name of the school to Bellerby College, Mayfield. The college closed in approx 2004.
The building is pretty stripped, but so many of the origenal features remain in the older part it makes for a pretty good explore. If you like stained glass, carved woodwork and ornate plaster ceilings then this is the place for you. Oh and fireplaces, this place has lots and they're quite imposing features.
Thanks for looking!
Maniac.
