Kesteven County Asylum, built by the esteemed Mr.GT Hine in 1897, and opened in 1902. Also used as an RAF hospital during WW2, then passed back into use for mental health. Intended to hold 490 patients, but as usual, exceed that at times.
Closed in 1997, many of the staff buildings/outbuildings are structurally unchanged and in residential use. Surrounding "open spaces" are now a housing estate.
This was a quick visit on the way to other explores - there's not a vast amount left, but worth a look if you're in the area. It appears that what's left now is intended to be preserved, as the buildings have obviously been prepared for conversion already, however, there doesn't appear to be much going on at the moment, so it could be yet another "stalled" situation.
The chapel could hold 300.
Pretty well boarded-up, so torches essential.
There must have been a good salesperson in the 50's/60's to the asylums as this style of lamp seems to crop up in so many of them!
Admin has been preserved, although completely gutted.
The basements are flooded, although hard to tell until you're nearly standing in it!
The layout of the wards is almost the only clue to the distinct original use, although Hine's tell-tale brown tiled stairway walls give a subtle nod, as you can see on the right-hand side of this shot (although never intended to end up on the outside of course!).
Strange mural in a ward.
Oddly, but happily, the fragile conservatory has remained.
All ground-floor woodwork has been removed.
Upstairs
But a few details lurk in the darkened corridors
Entrance to day-room.
That's all folks. But more here.
http://anotherstateofmind.zenfolio.com/
Closed in 1997, many of the staff buildings/outbuildings are structurally unchanged and in residential use. Surrounding "open spaces" are now a housing estate.
This was a quick visit on the way to other explores - there's not a vast amount left, but worth a look if you're in the area. It appears that what's left now is intended to be preserved, as the buildings have obviously been prepared for conversion already, however, there doesn't appear to be much going on at the moment, so it could be yet another "stalled" situation.
The chapel could hold 300.
Pretty well boarded-up, so torches essential.
There must have been a good salesperson in the 50's/60's to the asylums as this style of lamp seems to crop up in so many of them!
Admin has been preserved, although completely gutted.
The basements are flooded, although hard to tell until you're nearly standing in it!
The layout of the wards is almost the only clue to the distinct original use, although Hine's tell-tale brown tiled stairway walls give a subtle nod, as you can see on the right-hand side of this shot (although never intended to end up on the outside of course!).
Strange mural in a ward.
Oddly, but happily, the fragile conservatory has remained.
All ground-floor woodwork has been removed.
Upstairs
But a few details lurk in the darkened corridors
Entrance to day-room.
That's all folks. But more here.
http://anotherstateofmind.zenfolio.com/