In particular, there was a group of hospitals near about 10 minutes away from where I lived. I will be covering the hospitals in more detail later, but here is a brief overview of the "Epsom Cluster".
By the start of the 20th Century, London's asylums were at breaking point, as they struggled to deal with what seemed like a never-ending influx of patients. As a result, the London County Council purchased the Horton Manor, a run-down estate in Northern Surrey. Situated 15 miles from Central London, the estate covered an area of 1060 acres, and included a manor house, numerous other buildings, woods, and farms.
Despite only five hospitals being built, it was to become the largest cluster of psychiatric hospitals.
The five hospitals were :
Manor Hospital (opened 1899 - originally Horton Manor Asylum)
Horton Hospital (opened 1902 - originally Horton Asylum)
St. Ebba's Hospital (opened 1904 - originally Epsom Epileptic Colony)
Long Grove Hospital (opened 1907)
West Park Hospital (opened 1921)
The hospitals were accessible not only by road, but by the Horton light railway, which concentrated on the supply of goods and materials.
Even as the 20th approached, conditions in many asylums were still very poor, and patients suffered harsh treatment at the hands of staff. The LCC wanted Horton Manor to be different, and felt that the peace and quiet would be would be beneficial, rather than near-torture patients were used to suffering.
Padded rooms were used, restraints rarely were. More importantly, patients would be bathed, and given clean clothes. They would sleep on clean bedding in dry and heated accommodations, and would be fed simple, but healthful meals. Many were given jobs around the hospitals, working on the farms (which supplied their food), and in the workshops (where their furniture was made).
Perhaps the biggest complaint was that life at Horton Manor was uneventful for patients, even tedious, and many soon became institutionalised. Of course, there were a fair number of long-term patients, including those that were to spend their remaining days there. Those without families (or whose families didn't want to take the bodies) who died in hospital were laid to rest in their own unconsecrated burial ground, Horton Cemetery.
The 1990's saw the beginning of the end for the Epsom Cluster, and other than facility for some 150 patients, the hospitals gradually emptied and closed, and the area was redeveloped for housing.
Times have changed, and so has the treatment of mental health issues, and there is no place today for such institutions. However, most of these hospitals were so impressive architecturally - if a little eerie - and it is sad to seem them disappear. Still, many individuals jumped at the opportunity to grab some incredible images of the buildings before they disappeared, as you will see. What really gives me the chills is how the people just seem to walk out, leaving everything as it was. Furniture, appliances, clothes, paperwork, even things like drawings and paintings made by the patients...
Yep, it gives me the creeps.
Even as the 20th approached, conditions in many asylums were still very poor, and patients suffered harsh treatment at the hands of staff. The LCC wanted Horton Manor to be different, and felt that the peace and quiet would be would be beneficial, rather than near-torture patients were used to suffering.
Padded rooms were used, restraints rarely were. More importantly, patients would be bathed, and given clean clothes. They would sleep on clean bedding in dry and heated accommodations, and would be fed simple, but healthful meals. Many were given jobs around the hospitals, working on the farms (which supplied their food), and in the workshops (where their furniture was made).
Perhaps the biggest complaint was that life at Horton Manor was uneventful for patients, even tedious, and many soon became institutionalised. Of course, there were a fair number of long-term patients, including those that were to spend their remaining days there. Those without families (or whose families didn't want to take the bodies) who died in hospital were laid to rest in their own unconsecrated burial ground, Horton Cemetery.
Horton Cemetery Memorial - Epsom by sarflondondunc is licensed under CC BY NC ND 2.0
The 1990's saw the beginning of the end for the Epsom Cluster, and other than facility for some 150 patients, the hospitals gradually emptied and closed, and the area was redeveloped for housing.
Abandoned by Paul is licensed under CC BY NC ND 2.0
Times have changed, and so has the treatment of mental health issues, and there is no place today for such institutions. However, most of these hospitals were so impressive architecturally - if a little eerie - and it is sad to seem them disappear. Still, many individuals jumped at the opportunity to grab some incredible images of the buildings before they disappeared, as you will see. What really gives me the chills is how the people just seem to walk out, leaving everything as it was. Furniture, appliances, clothes, paperwork, even things like drawings and paintings made by the patients...
Yep, it gives me the creeps.
West Park Hospital
West Park Asylum by Only2Eyes is licensed under CC BY NC ND 2.0
St. Ebba's Hospital
Hymn Book - HDR by James C Farmer is licensed under CC BY NC ND 2.0
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