A series of haunting images reveal the dilapidated remains of a building once part of ‘Manchester Royal Hospital for the Insane’.
The photographs depict the extent of decay that years of neglect have inflicted on South House – an abandoned section of the asylum complex.
The original hospital, one of the UK’s first lunatic asylums, was relocated from Manchester Infirmary in the city centre to the suburbs of Stockport in 1849.
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At the time, it was considered ground-breaking, with hospital leaders aiming to distance themselves from the harsh and degrading treatment often employed by other mental health institutions, opting instead for gentler methods for those suffering from psychiatric illnesses.
Nestled on the leafy outskirts of Cheadle, it catered primarily to the middle and upper classes. Unlike pauper asylums, they accepted voluntary patients, making it the first known asylum to do so.
In 1902, the name was changed to Cheadle Royal Hospital in an effort to eliminate the stigma associated with its previous name. By this point, it had become one of the largest hospitals of its kind in the country.
South House was built in 1937, initially serving as accommodation for hospital staff.
By 2010, the majority of the main site of the hospital became part of the Priory Group, a private hospital providing comprehensive inpatient care.
However, South House was never incorporated into the new site. Left on the outskirts of the hospital boundaries, the building fell victim to time, the elements and vandals.
Evidence of the many nurses that once roamed the winding corridors has long gone, with fixtures and fittings ripped out over the years. Now a popular spot for urban explorers, the large imposing house is just a shell of its former self.
Jon Harris, who runs the fascinating Derelict Manchester website, recently took a trip to the old asylum to photograph and document the remains of the building.
With Jon’s permission, we’ve selected a few of the best photos for the gallery below.
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Do these awaken any memories for you? Let us know in the comments section below.
