In 1927, the workhouse was closed and the building converted into an institution for “mental defectivesâ€. After 1930, control passed to Norfolk County Council and the establishment was renamed Heckingham Institution. In 1948, it became part of the National Health Service as Hales Hospital which closed in around 1990.
This was the main explore planned for the day with fellow member 4lex and another who still can't remember their user name! Despite the dreary day this was a very nice an relaxed wander around without any hassle or great access difficulties.
First port of call were some out buildings which didn't really provide too much of interest. Walking past the water tower, the idea of climbing it proved quite alluring but due to the weather decided against it so we popped into the boiler house where we were greeted by that big red beast!
After that we found our way into the basement before heading back up into the main building. There were a few surprises such as the lift and a few scenes that could've come straight out of 'Silent Hill'! The surprise being to the 'no named' explorer who nearly had a heart attack after I magical appeared from behind one of the many toilet doors!
We ended the visit by clambering up into the attack and carefully exploring the loft space. This proved worth while when we found the old lift motor/mechanism! From the holes in the roof we did see a couple of other explorers entering the main building but never bumped into them on the way out.
The big red beast!
Down in the basement.
With just touch light the pics have such a different feeling.
Nice wall paper!
What do you fancy?!
A scene from 'Silent Hill'
Down the lift shaft.
Lift winding gear.
View from/through the roof.
This was the main explore planned for the day with fellow member 4lex and another who still can't remember their user name! Despite the dreary day this was a very nice an relaxed wander around without any hassle or great access difficulties.
First port of call were some out buildings which didn't really provide too much of interest. Walking past the water tower, the idea of climbing it proved quite alluring but due to the weather decided against it so we popped into the boiler house where we were greeted by that big red beast!
After that we found our way into the basement before heading back up into the main building. There were a few surprises such as the lift and a few scenes that could've come straight out of 'Silent Hill'! The surprise being to the 'no named' explorer who nearly had a heart attack after I magical appeared from behind one of the many toilet doors!
We ended the visit by clambering up into the attack and carefully exploring the loft space. This proved worth while when we found the old lift motor/mechanism! From the holes in the roof we did see a couple of other explorers entering the main building but never bumped into them on the way out.
The big red beast!
Down in the basement.
With just touch light the pics have such a different feeling.
Nice wall paper!
What do you fancy?!
A scene from 'Silent Hill'
Down the lift shaft.
Lift winding gear.
View from/through the roof.