Afflicted: 11 Abandoned UK Asylums “Open” for Exploration
Featured — By Rachel Greenberg on February 18, 2011 at 6:00 am2. Hellingly Asylum – East Sussex
The Hellingly Asylum in East Sussex wasn’t just a home for mentally ill, it was like a little city. Located deep in the country, the asylum was designed by famed asylum architect George Thomas Hine to be so remote that the stresses of the outside world couldn’t harm the hospital’s delicate patients. Hellingly had its own railway station and tracks that brought coal – and later people – into the compound. It also had its own farmland, water tower, morgue, dentist office, hair salon, and clothing store to supply both the patients and staff with basic necessities. It also had a special wing for “mentally defective” children as well as “advanced treatment” wings where electroshock therapy was practiced.
Given its massive size and primitive treatment methods, Hellingly was shut down in 1994. Having stood abandoned for so long, the damage to Hellingly is incredibly severe. The victim of countless arson attacks, much of the hospital was torched and charred by the time it was set for demolition in 2010. Reportedly, there isn’t much left to Hemminly as of February 2011.
All Images: James C Farmer/Flickr
3 Comments
Definitely captured a time in history.
A bit eerie. I often wonder how another feels capturing the energy from such photos.
Spooky photo’s in beautiful buildings.
Such a shame that the buildings are left to rot.
The Deva (chester) building i have first hand knowledge of, The brickwork /masonary is beautiful.
But it was a damn cold building
I was committed once. But they couldn’t contain me because I am a Vatican assassin…a rock star from Mars. I’m shootin’ poetry from my fingertips over here, and I’m not bothering to ask questions later. That’s what happens when you have tiger’s blood and you snort a big ol’ pile of Charlie Sheen.
btw, thanks for the honorable mention in your Pirates vs. Ninjas article! 8D