nicola1981
16-01-2011, 07:26 PM
Visited with thestig, Minxy and Sloth. Didn't pick the best of days to go and were absolutely soaked through by the time we reached this wonderful site, but once inside it was well worth it.
In 1866, the three Lancashire lunatic asylums at Prestwich, Rainhill and Lancaster were deemed to be full. The building of Whittingham Asylum began in 1869, originally to accommodate 1000 patients. The hospital officially opened on 1 April 1873. The large site included an Anglican church, a Catholic chapel, a recreation hall (also used as a ballroom) and several farms.
By 1923, the hospital was known as “Whittingham Mental Hospital”. By 1939, the number of patients was 3533, with a staff of 548, making it the largest mental hospital in the country.
By 1948, it had incorporated Ribchester Hospital, and became known as “Whittingham Hospital”.
The Mental Health Act of 1960 deemed large institutions like Whittingham to be out of favour. Allegations of cruelty to patients led to a public inquiry.
During the 1970s and 1980s, new drugs and therapies were introduced. Long-stay patients were returned to the community or dispersed to smaller units around Preston. The hospital eventually closed in 1995.
The site subsequently became known as “Guild Park”. In 1999, Guild Lodge was opened on the edge of Guild Park, supplying secure mental services, followed the next year by rehabilitation cottages close by.
It is planned to build 650 new homes on the site and to preserve some of the hospital buildings as apartments. However, the plan will not proceed until a date for the construction of the Broughton bypass is known.
On with the pics.
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/nicola81/Whittingham%20Asylum/e687ca8f.jpg
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/nicola81/Whittingham%20Asylum/81661019.jpg
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/nicola81/Whittingham%20Asylum/3c60dec9.jpg
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/nicola81/Whittingham%20Asylum/ab00d9fa.jpg
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/nicola81/Whittingham%20Asylum/647188bb.jpg
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/nicola81/Whittingham%20Asylum/ff62a3f2.jpg
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/nicola81/Whittingham%20Asylum/a9a06560.jpg
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/nicola81/Whittingham%20Asylum/2dadec1d.jpg
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/nicola81/Whittingham%20Asylum/f3d03c04.jpg
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/nicola81/Whittingham%20Asylum/7bee96d0.jpg
Thanks for looking...definately a re-visit needed (sorry about the quality of some of the pics - i also picked this day not to feel 100%) :sick
In 1866, the three Lancashire lunatic asylums at Prestwich, Rainhill and Lancaster were deemed to be full. The building of Whittingham Asylum began in 1869, originally to accommodate 1000 patients. The hospital officially opened on 1 April 1873. The large site included an Anglican church, a Catholic chapel, a recreation hall (also used as a ballroom) and several farms.
By 1923, the hospital was known as “Whittingham Mental Hospital”. By 1939, the number of patients was 3533, with a staff of 548, making it the largest mental hospital in the country.
By 1948, it had incorporated Ribchester Hospital, and became known as “Whittingham Hospital”.
The Mental Health Act of 1960 deemed large institutions like Whittingham to be out of favour. Allegations of cruelty to patients led to a public inquiry.
During the 1970s and 1980s, new drugs and therapies were introduced. Long-stay patients were returned to the community or dispersed to smaller units around Preston. The hospital eventually closed in 1995.
The site subsequently became known as “Guild Park”. In 1999, Guild Lodge was opened on the edge of Guild Park, supplying secure mental services, followed the next year by rehabilitation cottages close by.
It is planned to build 650 new homes on the site and to preserve some of the hospital buildings as apartments. However, the plan will not proceed until a date for the construction of the Broughton bypass is known.
On with the pics.
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/nicola81/Whittingham%20Asylum/e687ca8f.jpg
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/nicola81/Whittingham%20Asylum/81661019.jpg
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/nicola81/Whittingham%20Asylum/3c60dec9.jpg
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/nicola81/Whittingham%20Asylum/ab00d9fa.jpg
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/nicola81/Whittingham%20Asylum/647188bb.jpg
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/nicola81/Whittingham%20Asylum/ff62a3f2.jpg
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/nicola81/Whittingham%20Asylum/a9a06560.jpg
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/nicola81/Whittingham%20Asylum/2dadec1d.jpg
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/nicola81/Whittingham%20Asylum/f3d03c04.jpg
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy344/nicola81/Whittingham%20Asylum/7bee96d0.jpg
Thanks for looking...definately a re-visit needed (sorry about the quality of some of the pics - i also picked this day not to feel 100%) :sick