Coldeast Hospital is an explore that's eluded me for a long time. However with recent news of investors pulling out, happening to be in the area, and almost exactly 2 years since my last attempt, I thought it would be worth a look.
Two years ago I made several attempts at entering the beautiful manor house that became the main hospital building. Fences were scaled, security were begged, all attempts resulted in a long walk home. This time, however, a lovely stroll through some fields provided what is probably around the easiest access to a building I've ever known.
The history:
Further information on the building and its many failed plans is of course available from google.
On with the pictures:
This report is going to be pic heavy due to the incredible beauty of the building, coupled with it's astonishing lack of destruction providing some beautiful features. Sadly I only had my phone with me, so the pictures aren't as good as I would have liked. There are also pictures included from a non-member, with his permission.
This building is certainly the most beautiful building I've explored, along with being in the best condition I've seen, if entirely empty.
The main problem I have is choosing few enough photos to make a report of acceptable length!
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Thank you for looking, hopefully I can get back here in a few weeks with a proper camera and get some proper photos!
More photos can be found at https://www.flickr.com/photos/115090914@N05/ or https://www.flickr.com/photos/126195143@N05
Two years ago I made several attempts at entering the beautiful manor house that became the main hospital building. Fences were scaled, security were begged, all attempts resulted in a long walk home. This time, however, a lovely stroll through some fields provided what is probably around the easiest access to a building I've ever known.
The history:
The internet seems to struggle with a date of when the hospital closed its doors, but it seems to have sat empty since the late 90s. Since then numerous planning applications have been approved to provide housing on and around the site, with the main building being approved to become a large hotel. The building has undergone some preservation and light redevelopment toward this over the last few years, however it has been left empty again after the previous investors pulled out.Cold East House was originally a Victorian mansion but records show that it was once known as Cold East Farm. It was in existence in 1837 and was owned by Robert Cawte. There is also a Cawte's Copse named after the family. It later became known as Cold East House when Arthur Hornby lived there. In 1870, the house was bought by Nathaniel Montefiore from the Hood family. He became a JP shortly after his arrival and did much to enlarge and equip the school in 1874. His name is carved on one of the school's foundation stones. His widow lived in the house until she died in 1902. In 1925 the house was sold to Hampshire County Council. During the 1930's, Coldeast was developed as a hospital to provide specialist services for people with learning disabilities. Since the 1960's, Coldeast Hospital was used exclusively for people with learning disabilities. At its height in the late 1960's, Coldeast held 680 patients. With the emphasis on care changing to care in the community, the hospital underwent radical changes in the 1990's with the number of patients dropping to about 170.
Further information on the building and its many failed plans is of course available from google.
On with the pictures:
This report is going to be pic heavy due to the incredible beauty of the building, coupled with it's astonishing lack of destruction providing some beautiful features. Sadly I only had my phone with me, so the pictures aren't as good as I would have liked. There are also pictures included from a non-member, with his permission.
This building is certainly the most beautiful building I've explored, along with being in the best condition I've seen, if entirely empty.
The main problem I have is choosing few enough photos to make a report of acceptable length!
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
Thank you for looking, hopefully I can get back here in a few weeks with a proper camera and get some proper photos!
More photos can be found at https://www.flickr.com/photos/115090914@N05/ or https://www.flickr.com/photos/126195143@N05
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