Springfield Hospital opened in June 1841 and was originally called the Surry County Asylum. The architects were Edward Lapidge, Engineer to the County of Surrey, William Moseley, Rowland Plumbe FRIBA, assisted by Dr. Hugh Gardiner- Hill, the Asylum Superintendent and WT Curtis, Chief Architect to the County of Middlesex. Work commenced from the mid 18th century with the main buildings based on a sort of mock Tudor style, which I thought was very attractive. Further wings were added as patient numbers increased and carried on into the 1930's. The site is still very much live apart from what used to be the administration block, which is mothballed, and the Women's wing, which is derelict and the subject of these pictures. Being a live site makes it a bit of challenge to explore. I have read the Women's wing was closed some time in the early 1990's and we did discover a newspaper there dated from 1997 so maybe that's about right.
Comes complete with crack den and addicts.
Comes complete with crack den and addicts.