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- Jan 6, 2013
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1. The History
Not a whole lot of history about this place on the internet. Now known as Victoria Court, it was a former hospital in the attractive market town of Ashbourne in Derbyshire. Initially known then as the Ashbourne Victoria Memorial Cottage Hospital, it opened in 1897 as a charitable institution and was an imposing building on Ashbourne’s Buxton Rd, next to St John's church. An Ashbourne landmark, there were even postcards issued as illustrated here:
Ashbourne Victoria memorial Cottage Hospital by HughieDW, on Flickr
Prior to the formation of the NHS in 1948 it functioned as a maternity home. Post-1948 under NHS’s Sheffield Regional Hospital Board, its role expanded to include general practitioner duties.
It total, it was in operation for 65 years until its closure in 1964 when it was sold and eventually ended up in the hands of a landlord who let it out as flats, calling it Victoria Court Flats. The main building was split into 7 flats including a warden’s flat as it said staff and a small bungalow to the rear. Unfortunately, the landlord failed to maintain the property, instead allowing it to become unfit to live in.
2. The Explore
The place is pretty prominent from the road and access is very easy. The boarding-up has long since been ripped off and the heras fencing tossed aside. Hence the ease of access and, sadly, the high level of vandalism. So, nothing spectacular but despite this is made for a relaxed half-hour explore on a sunny day in the beautiful Derbyshire market town of Ashbourne. Reminded me a little of a smaller version of Taxal Lodge. The future doesn’t look to optimistic for this place which is a shame.
3. The Pictures
Initial view from the road:
img1037 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Most of the roof is in reasonable condition:
img1036 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Apart from this bit!
img1019 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Full-frontal:
img1018 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Ashbourne 11 by HughieDW, on Flickr
It has a nice porch area:
img1020 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Inside we go:
img1022 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img1034 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Nature at the window:
img1023 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img1029 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img1025 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Lonely is the lightshade:
img1024bw by HughieDW, on Flickr
Still quite a bit of furniture still inside:
img1028 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img1027 by HughieDW, on Flickr
And this facility is still OK-ish:
Ashbourne 05 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Although the bath looks iffy:
Ashbourne 04 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Up to the top floor. The up-stairs kitchen is in danger of migrating to the ground floor:
Ashbourne 08 by HughieDW, on Flickr
A former lounge:
img1033 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Shame it’s only paper money!
Ashbourne 07 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Double bedroom of the night?
Ashbourne 06 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img1030 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Not a whole lot of history about this place on the internet. Now known as Victoria Court, it was a former hospital in the attractive market town of Ashbourne in Derbyshire. Initially known then as the Ashbourne Victoria Memorial Cottage Hospital, it opened in 1897 as a charitable institution and was an imposing building on Ashbourne’s Buxton Rd, next to St John's church. An Ashbourne landmark, there were even postcards issued as illustrated here:
Ashbourne Victoria memorial Cottage Hospital by HughieDW, on FlickrPrior to the formation of the NHS in 1948 it functioned as a maternity home. Post-1948 under NHS’s Sheffield Regional Hospital Board, its role expanded to include general practitioner duties.
It total, it was in operation for 65 years until its closure in 1964 when it was sold and eventually ended up in the hands of a landlord who let it out as flats, calling it Victoria Court Flats. The main building was split into 7 flats including a warden’s flat as it said staff and a small bungalow to the rear. Unfortunately, the landlord failed to maintain the property, instead allowing it to become unfit to live in.
2. The Explore
The place is pretty prominent from the road and access is very easy. The boarding-up has long since been ripped off and the heras fencing tossed aside. Hence the ease of access and, sadly, the high level of vandalism. So, nothing spectacular but despite this is made for a relaxed half-hour explore on a sunny day in the beautiful Derbyshire market town of Ashbourne. Reminded me a little of a smaller version of Taxal Lodge. The future doesn’t look to optimistic for this place which is a shame.
3. The Pictures
Initial view from the road:
img1037 by HughieDW, on FlickrMost of the roof is in reasonable condition:
img1036 by HughieDW, on FlickrApart from this bit!
img1019 by HughieDW, on FlickrFull-frontal:
img1018 by HughieDW, on FlickrAshbourne 11 by HughieDW, on FlickrIt has a nice porch area:
img1020 by HughieDW, on FlickrInside we go:
img1022 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg1034 by HughieDW, on FlickrNature at the window:
img1023 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg1029 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg1025 by HughieDW, on FlickrLonely is the lightshade:
img1024bw by HughieDW, on FlickrStill quite a bit of furniture still inside:
img1028 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg1027 by HughieDW, on FlickrAnd this facility is still OK-ish:
Ashbourne 05 by HughieDW, on FlickrAlthough the bath looks iffy:
Ashbourne 04 by HughieDW, on FlickrUp to the top floor. The up-stairs kitchen is in danger of migrating to the ground floor:
Ashbourne 08 by HughieDW, on FlickrA former lounge:
img1033 by HughieDW, on FlickrShame it’s only paper money!
Ashbourne 07 by HughieDW, on FlickrDouble bedroom of the night?
Ashbourne 06 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg1030 by HughieDW, on Flickr
