Babies Castle, Hawkhurst.
Babies Castle was built by Barnado's in August 1886 as the largest home for orphaned babies and young children, under the age of 6 years old.
It was opened in 1886, by Her Royal Highness, The Princess Mary Adelaide. Who was accompanied by her daughter Princess Victoria, later to become Queen Mary, wife of King George V and patron to Dr. Barnardo’s. Queen Mary herself was to become an active patron of the charity and one of many illustrious Royal ladies to do so. Sadly Babies Castle closed in 1965 as a orphanage.
It then was subsequently reopened as a nursing home and the name changed to Hawkhurst Castle, it then closed under the Abbey group in the 1990's. And now has planning permission for another nursing home or luxury flats??
I have attached an interesting website, worth taking a look at. (Well i think so)
http://www.jarrelook.co.uk/Urbex/Dr Barnados Baby Castle Hawkshurst 2011/Baby_Castle.htm
Anyway onto my adventure.... I stumbled across this lovely place purely by accident and lucky i had packed my camera. I felt rather un-easy walking around by myself and kept feeling like i was being watched. I swear i even heard children's giggles. But as other visitors to Babies Caslte will say there's nothing there... I didn't find a way of getting in, but maybe that was a good thing? Anyway, i wont bore you anymore. Enjoy
Babies Castle 014 by froggie_abc, on Flickr
Babies Castle 011 by froggie_abc, on Flickr
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Babies Castle 039 by froggie_abc, on Flickr
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Babies Castle 016 by froggie_abc, on Flickr