The City of London Lunatic Asylum was erected for 220 patients at Stone, near Dartford, in 1862, following the Commissioners of Lunacy's insistence that the City of London provided its own asylum for pauper lunatics, who had previously been sent to Bethlem Asylum in Lambeth. Re-named the City of London Mental Hospital in 1924, the site became Stone House Hospital upon transfer to the National Health Service in 1948. The population of the hospital had increased to nearly 600, and over half of these were private patients. Fees paid by these patients had funded the expansion of the hospital buildings. Only 50 patients were actually from the City of London, with the remainder coming from other authorities.
I very much enjoyed attempting to get to grips with my brand new, shiny 35mm prime lens on this trip! Visited with Mr Bones and Dubbed Navigator. Although we got in and out without any problems, we spotted several workers on site during our explore. Feeling very exposed through all the unboarded windows, we were careful not to be seen ourselves. The interior of the areas we were able to access remains largely untouched, but the evidence of development is everywhere; through windows to the exterior and in the main hall for example. I'm so glad I conquered Stone House in time, although I'd really like to see more! Perhaps a return trip won't be too far off...
Externals
The Water Tower
Detail of hall mezzanine balustrade
Untouched grand piano - beautiful!
All obvious, straightforward routes to the ground floor main hall were blocked with new partition doors. This was taken through the glass of a ground floor door with smashed window.
This corridor exemplified the asylum atmosphere that is very evident in Stone House.
A quick telephone call to let them know that we were leaving...
I very much enjoyed attempting to get to grips with my brand new, shiny 35mm prime lens on this trip! Visited with Mr Bones and Dubbed Navigator. Although we got in and out without any problems, we spotted several workers on site during our explore. Feeling very exposed through all the unboarded windows, we were careful not to be seen ourselves. The interior of the areas we were able to access remains largely untouched, but the evidence of development is everywhere; through windows to the exterior and in the main hall for example. I'm so glad I conquered Stone House in time, although I'd really like to see more! Perhaps a return trip won't be too far off...
Externals
The Water Tower
Detail of hall mezzanine balustrade
Untouched grand piano - beautiful!
All obvious, straightforward routes to the ground floor main hall were blocked with new partition doors. This was taken through the glass of a ground floor door with smashed window.
This corridor exemplified the asylum atmosphere that is very evident in Stone House.
A quick telephone call to let them know that we were leaving...
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