Barrow Hospital, Barrow Gurney, Bristol
Scroll down for an update from July 2013.
Barrow Hospital (sometimes referred to as Barrow Gurney Hospital) was a psychiatric hospital in Barrow Gurney, Somerset, United Kingdom.
By the mid-1920s, the existing City of Bristol Mental Hospital at Stapleton was suffering from serious overcrowding. In addition, the Victorian hospital buildings were now considered too old-fashioned, having been built 'like large barracks' connected by corridors which allowed easy access for staff but provided 'little relief to those [patients] sensitive to their environment'. Extensions to the buildings helped to alleviate the problem to some extent, but it was still abundantly clear that a second hospital would soon be needed. The Bristol Corporation's preferred site was on the nearby Oldbury Court Estate, but when sale negotiations broke down in 1928 the Corporation was forced to look elsewhere and instead purchased 260 acres of woodland called The Wild Country near Barrow Gurney for £20,000.
By the mid-1920s, the existing City of Bristol Mental Hospital at Stapleton was suffering from serious overcrowding. In addition, the Victorian hospital buildings were now considered too old-fashioned, having been built 'like large barracks' connected by corridors which allowed easy access for staff but provided 'little relief to those [patients] sensitive to their environment'. Extensions to the buildings helped to alleviate the problem to some extent, but it was still abundantly clear that a second hospital would soon be needed. The Bristol Corporation's preferred site was on the nearby Oldbury Court Estate, but when sale negotiations broke down in 1928 the Corporation was forced to look elsewhere and instead purchased 260 acres of woodland called The Wild Country near Barrow Gurney for £20,000.
Barrow Hospital is my local site, and the first site that I ever really explored. I have explored almost every room and space that Barrow has to offer. I have been with many different explorers, and seen photos from many others too. Ever since the site closed for good in 2006-7, the decline has been extraordinary. The lack of any sort of security probably played a massive part there, so was to be expected.
I've been here more times than I can even begin to remember, so have had to pick out some photos. More will be added in due course, and I will also document the demolition of the hospital.
Demolition work is finally getting underway, with builders moving in. Trees have been cut down, and asbestos removal has started and it looks like it won't be long before the first building goes.
I've been here more times than I can even begin to remember, so have had to pick out some photos. More will be added in due course, and I will also document the demolition of the hospital.
Demolition work is finally getting underway, with builders moving in. Trees have been cut down, and asbestos removal has started and it looks like it won't be long before the first building goes.
February 2011
November 2011
April 2012
July 2013 - Includes UPDATE and Fire Images
One can only assume the recent arson attacks are the work of local chavs and druggies who are bored, but this being said, who's to say that the developers aren't to blame? This is becoming a regular scenario when it comes to derelict sites, as it'a a nice quick and easy way to get rid of the buildings that are in their way.
This site is still throwing questions out there that need answering. Who still owns the site? Is it Del Piero, Care Villages, or some local farmer who wants the fire wood it has to offer? Is there anyone living in the now floodlit gatehouse? Do the locals have anything to do with happenings inside the site? Are the bats which are now starting to return to the site, being thought of? When will the next fire be?
It seems to be that they are demolishing a bit, then getting bored, and then moving on to another bit, then simply getting bored again. I find it hard to believe that the work going on here is being done legally and by the book somehow.
Suffice to say, health and safety would have an absolute field day if they were to pay the site a visit.
This site is still throwing questions out there that need answering. Who still owns the site? Is it Del Piero, Care Villages, or some local farmer who wants the fire wood it has to offer? Is there anyone living in the now floodlit gatehouse? Do the locals have anything to do with happenings inside the site? Are the bats which are now starting to return to the site, being thought of? When will the next fire be?
It seems to be that they are demolishing a bit, then getting bored, and then moving on to another bit, then simply getting bored again. I find it hard to believe that the work going on here is being done legally and by the book somehow.
Suffice to say, health and safety would have an absolute field day if they were to pay the site a visit.
Here are some links to some information about the proposed Care Village which could or could not be the future use of the site:
Pegasus Group - Barrow Gurney Care Village
English Care Villages - Locations - notice how Barrow Gurney has a non-working link, where it used to link to a separate website.
Pegasus Group - Barrow Gurney Care Village
English Care Villages - Locations - notice how Barrow Gurney has a non-working link, where it used to link to a separate website.
Fires have broken out in recent arson attacks:
Friday 28th June 2013 - Fire at derelict hospital site
Thursday 11th June 2013 - Derelict buildings well alight
From Avon Fire and Rescue Service
Friday 28th June 2013 - Fire at derelict hospital site
Thursday 11th June 2013 - Derelict buildings well alight
From Avon Fire and Rescue Service