This past week has been non stop, 5 Derelict Hospitals and 1 Care Home... ontop of 3 kids, designing 7 websites and getting reports ready! Please bare with me!
Building History
Southerndown Care Home was built in the 1890 and was originally known as “The Dunraven Hotel”. Since the 1940’s it has been occupied as a convalescence and care home for the blind. The building was constructed in the style of a castle with accommodation on three floors with attic accommodation above.
The Dunraven Hotel was originally a low thatched building. This was demolished in 1890 to cater for a higher class of visitor, running a horse brake service to and from Southerndown Road Station (now closed) at Castle-upon-Alun. On 5th June 1948 the Wales Council for the blind opened the premises as Southerndown Care Home for the Blind and Elderly, originally offering holidays for people with visual impairment. Southerndown Care Home was a registered charity with any profits being used to improve and upgrade the facilities.
Image Date - 1909
Image Date - 1944
The Explore
Shortly after getting involved with the Urban Exploration scene, I came across this grand and stunning building. I tried a few times to gain entry but it wasn’t possible for a long time.
It has been an eventful explore! I have been here 3 times to date and on all three occasions something exciting has happened including getting spooked by a security car arriving outside, dogs barking and finding out that there is still live power to the building (in terms of alarms and emergency lighting) oh and coming across a couple of metal thieves complete with tools – not good!
There is something a little spooky about this care home...when your there, you can hear every little sound, curtain's moving in the wind, thieves smashing stuff up, doors creaking...it's fantastic! It's very easy to get lost there though, although it seems pretty standard, it's hallways and room layouts are a bit confusing - even with the internal layout plans to hand!
It’s not going to be long until the building looks like the usual derelict building we all go to – burned down or crumbling due to water damage. There is a hole in the roof which is causing problems along one side of the upper floors – makes it fun to walk. If it does happen – it will be a huge shame as it’s a building I would love to bring back to life!
Although the building is not filled with utter goodness in terms of the old equipment that must have been there, it was still great to finally walk around the place share it with everybody - Although it does have some great staircases and fireplaces!
Anyway, lets get down with the photographs!
The Photographs
A couple of Selfies!
Thanks very much for taking a look and as always your comments are more than welcome! If you are thinking of taking a look at the site, give me a shout as I will probably be up for a revisit to grap some video shots.
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