Visit Date May 2005

Barnes Hospital

Architect ?

Opened 1884

Patients no patient information though 200 staff

Closed 1999

Other Shortly after closure housed Kosovan refugees

A beautiful example the Victorian Neo Gothic era of building, I believe it was used mostly as a chest and stroke hospital, and despite what Most Haunted Live (September 05) would have you believe; this place is not and has never been an asylum!

The developers, Manchester-based Reality Estates are hoping to convert the main listed hospital building, into form 42 flats. They also intend to demolish other hospital buildings and replace them with 18 houses and 77 flats.

It is more than a little worse for wear nowadays, the usual culprits of arsonists and vandals are to blame along with a couple of illegal raves at some point!

Probably being a little too bold for our own good we walked straight through the front gate only to encounter the newly installed security hut. (oops!)

All was not lost however as he was prepared to give us a tour of the outside of the building, with a promise that if we came back in 3 weeks time, after some building works to stabilise the interiors for a film crew, we could have a wander around. Three weeks have come and gone though hopefully the next time we are up there the offer will still be there!

Situation Update July 2006

The Nurses accommodation the mortuary and the newer parts of the hospital have now been demolished and the main Victorian building stripped. The main conversion process is now underway!