Visited with Speeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeedio.
Following Inverkip, we checked the Asylums list on the Timtom, and realised that Hartwood wasn't too far away, and was kind of in the right direction.
To Hartwood we trotted, and found a beautiful little village with a proper retro railway station. We walked past the front entrance, and a police van was parked there. I had a feeling it wasn't going to be our lucky day, but we continued on round and up a path, and realised that we'd been completely the wrong side of the tracks, and were on what appeared to be a publically accessible footpath. Onto the site, and into the buildings.
Hartwood reminded me of High Royds, built of stone bricks, elegant with it's towers, Wide Arrow design (although the wards had been demolished).
Hartwood however had suffered vandal attacks, with Arson evident in large parts of the hospital. Beware Hospital owners. Keep the Chavs out.
I originally thought this was the main hall, but with the tiled floor and walls, it just had to be the kitchens. Apparently the hall was above this, but in the fire in June 2004, evidence of this was destroyed.
With a little bit of research into Hartwood, I was surprised that it was built as late as 1890. It looked far older than similar aged southern Asylums, but my lack of familiarity with Scottish Asylums means I was simply wrong!
As the century turned Hartwood accomodated 800 patients in it's wards, but this wasn't enough, and Hartwood Hill Hospital was built, still operating below capacity as a secure unit.
Inside, the hospital is trashed. The fire has affected the ceilings, and although debris appears to have been cleared out, more has fallen in the 4 years since the fire.
Up into the Clock Towers, and past the burnt out wards. this room is evidently wrecked beyond a hugely costly repair.
We got onto the roof of the tower, and clearly, the destruction beneath is huge.
The Corridors would once have been a little like West Park's.
The Laundry was still there too
And the Morgue
We exited, having seen what was there. A pleasing explore, if not a hugely interesting place. It was like the old days again, going somewhere I knew little about, or little about what I'd find there.
Following Inverkip, we checked the Asylums list on the Timtom, and realised that Hartwood wasn't too far away, and was kind of in the right direction.
To Hartwood we trotted, and found a beautiful little village with a proper retro railway station. We walked past the front entrance, and a police van was parked there. I had a feeling it wasn't going to be our lucky day, but we continued on round and up a path, and realised that we'd been completely the wrong side of the tracks, and were on what appeared to be a publically accessible footpath. Onto the site, and into the buildings.
Hartwood reminded me of High Royds, built of stone bricks, elegant with it's towers, Wide Arrow design (although the wards had been demolished).
Hartwood however had suffered vandal attacks, with Arson evident in large parts of the hospital. Beware Hospital owners. Keep the Chavs out.
I originally thought this was the main hall, but with the tiled floor and walls, it just had to be the kitchens. Apparently the hall was above this, but in the fire in June 2004, evidence of this was destroyed.
With a little bit of research into Hartwood, I was surprised that it was built as late as 1890. It looked far older than similar aged southern Asylums, but my lack of familiarity with Scottish Asylums means I was simply wrong!
As the century turned Hartwood accomodated 800 patients in it's wards, but this wasn't enough, and Hartwood Hill Hospital was built, still operating below capacity as a secure unit.
Inside, the hospital is trashed. The fire has affected the ceilings, and although debris appears to have been cleared out, more has fallen in the 4 years since the fire.
Up into the Clock Towers, and past the burnt out wards. this room is evidently wrecked beyond a hugely costly repair.
We got onto the roof of the tower, and clearly, the destruction beneath is huge.
The Corridors would once have been a little like West Park's.
The Laundry was still there too
And the Morgue
We exited, having seen what was there. A pleasing explore, if not a hugely interesting place. It was like the old days again, going somewhere I knew little about, or little about what I'd find there.
