In 1886, the largest Barnardo's home for orphans under six years old (although see no 5 below) was built in Hawkhurst, caring for hundreds of babies. It was known as Babies' Castle, and followed nine inspiring principles, known as "The Nine Nos":
1.No destitute child refused
2.No Race Barrier
3.No Creed Clause
4.No Physical Disability
5.No Age Limit
6.No Money Promise
7.No Voting
8.No Waiting
9.No Red Tape
By 1965 the number of children in care at the Babies Castle had so reduced it was decided to finally close the orphanage. It was re-named 'Hawkhurst Castle' and became a private old people's nursing home, but in 2005 it was sold again for £1.7 million and planning permission was granted to turn it into flats, but this never happened.
Incredibly during our visit there was evidence of both the babies era and the old peoples home (although I suspect some of these items may have been brought in for effect recently).
These two images are from http://canadianbritishhomechildren.weebly.com/babies-castle---barnardos.html which is really worth a look, there are many more similar old photos here with some great history too.
My photos of our visit... (Visited with Abel101 and another non-member)
I'm guessing this was a swimming pool once!
I have to say it's very sad to see the state of this building inside
Upstairs is very dangerous, lots of the floor is missing, and as per the other visits with Abel101 I was left to explore these places alone
Nice big driers, probably used for drying the wet babies
Ok, it might be a wreck and falling to bits, but it still looks lovely in places...
.
1.No destitute child refused
2.No Race Barrier
3.No Creed Clause
4.No Physical Disability
5.No Age Limit
6.No Money Promise
7.No Voting
8.No Waiting
9.No Red Tape
By 1965 the number of children in care at the Babies Castle had so reduced it was decided to finally close the orphanage. It was re-named 'Hawkhurst Castle' and became a private old people's nursing home, but in 2005 it was sold again for £1.7 million and planning permission was granted to turn it into flats, but this never happened.
Incredibly during our visit there was evidence of both the babies era and the old peoples home (although I suspect some of these items may have been brought in for effect recently).
These two images are from http://canadianbritishhomechildren.weebly.com/babies-castle---barnardos.html which is really worth a look, there are many more similar old photos here with some great history too.
My photos of our visit... (Visited with Abel101 and another non-member)
I'm guessing this was a swimming pool once!
I have to say it's very sad to see the state of this building inside
Upstairs is very dangerous, lots of the floor is missing, and as per the other visits with Abel101 I was left to explore these places alone
Nice big driers, probably used for drying the wet babies
Ok, it might be a wreck and falling to bits, but it still looks lovely in places...
Thanks for looking
.
