Intro
The first explore.
After reading a few reports online and finding myself drawn to the concept of urban exploration, I decided to visit something local to get a feel for it. In a group of 3, we visited St. Thomas hospital in Stockport. Unfortunately when we arrived we didn’t gain access to the main clock tower building due to all the metal fences that were up and the shiny camera in the middle acting as a deterrent but we did get into the building opposite and had a little wander around that.
History
Not too sure what the building at the back was, which was where the explore took place but here’s a bit of background about St. Thomas itself.
St Thomas's, formerly known as Shaw Heath Hospital, closed down more than a decade ago after treating thousands of psychiatric patients over the years.
The derelict building was once a Victorian workhouse known as The Grubber and in 2012 it featured in an episode of paranormal investigation show Most Haunted.
St Thomas's Hospital, once the Stockport Union Workhouse, was erected in 1841 to accommodate up to 690 inmates.
Males lived at the north side and females at the south. Children's quarters and school rooms were located in cross wings at each end of the main block, with the area to the front containing enclosed boys' and girls' exercise yards.
In 1894, the British Medical Journal set up a 'commission' to investigate conditions in provincial workhouses and their infirmaries. On their visit to Stockport, the commission found that due to a trade depression, inmates in the workhouse were 'packed like sardines in a tin'. The management of the hospital appeared to be 'completely without plan or method' and the female wards were 'comfortless and barnlike'. Many wards were so crowded as to present a serious danger in the case of fire. A new infirmary was built in response in 1905 - and the workhouse later became the Shaw Heath Hospital, before becoming St Thomas's.
The hospital finally closed in 2004 and the site acquired by Stockport College.
Although planned for completion in 2011, the buildings remain derelict. It is estimated around 25,000 people passed through the building's doors when it was brutal Victorian workhouse.
The explore
After parking a short distance away and having a little walk around, we gained entry to one of the outer buildings relatively quickly. With only the ground and first floor to explore it didn't take very long and there wasn’t much left as expected but as it was our first explore the excitement was there regardless.
*Went back a week later to try and get into the main building and was greeted by two guards who asked us to leave*
Thanks for reading, I've also set up an Instagram page to post anything urban exploration related if anyone would like to follow:
@SDUrbex
( no smile icon in the smilies )
