St. George's Hospital
The Northumberland County Lunatic Asylum was opened in 1859 and underwent a major building plan (developed by County Architect John Cresswell) between 1885-9. After the first World War it became known as St George's. With a reduction in patient numbers through the 1970’s and 80’s the hospital gradually began to decrease in size as more services were developed in the community; the last long stay wards in the main building were vacated during the mid 1990’s and eventually much of the main building was mothballed. In 2006 the new St George's hospital was opened next door and, after the relocation of all available services from the original St George's, the first hospital was closed (history from http://www.countyasylums.co.uk/).
The site is currently being demolished with plans to retain the admin block, main hall and the two wards either side of the hall. Much of the site has already been demolished and when I spoke to security afterwards they said that a planning application had recently been approved to completely knock the place down - all that needed to be done was to remove the asbestos.
Main Hall (as seen above)
Admin block
Female ward
Male ward
I didn't get to see much else as it wasn't long after getting the shot of the cell doors that I heard a massive dog shouting it's head off at me, closely followed by two security guards. They were nice enough and we had a bit of chat about the fate of the hospital before I made my way back home - although asylums are pretty much a thing of the past it was cool to be able to finally see one for myself. Cheers for looking!
The Northumberland County Lunatic Asylum was opened in 1859 and underwent a major building plan (developed by County Architect John Cresswell) between 1885-9. After the first World War it became known as St George's. With a reduction in patient numbers through the 1970’s and 80’s the hospital gradually began to decrease in size as more services were developed in the community; the last long stay wards in the main building were vacated during the mid 1990’s and eventually much of the main building was mothballed. In 2006 the new St George's hospital was opened next door and, after the relocation of all available services from the original St George's, the first hospital was closed (history from http://www.countyasylums.co.uk/).
The site is currently being demolished with plans to retain the admin block, main hall and the two wards either side of the hall. Much of the site has already been demolished and when I spoke to security afterwards they said that a planning application had recently been approved to completely knock the place down - all that needed to be done was to remove the asbestos.
Main Hall (as seen above)
Admin block
Female ward
Male ward
I didn't get to see much else as it wasn't long after getting the shot of the cell doors that I heard a massive dog shouting it's head off at me, closely followed by two security guards. They were nice enough and we had a bit of chat about the fate of the hospital before I made my way back home - although asylums are pretty much a thing of the past it was cool to be able to finally see one for myself. Cheers for looking!