Hellingly

Architect G.T. Hine

Opened Work completed 1902 and Opened 1903

Patients 1600+

Closed 1996

Other Once had its own railway which started construction after the completion of the hospital, one of the first railways the be electrified, passenger services ran until 1931 and the station itself closed in 1959, a ten mile stretch of the former line is now a popular walking route called the Cuckoo Trail.

In a remote location stand one of the most vandalised Asylums I have seen. Closed in 1996, this once proud building has been subjected to extreme vandalism, in some places there is hardly a window left, arson has also taken its toll the mortuary being a recent victim.

All this considered it is still an amazing place to visit, the main hall with its ornate ceiling is a definite feature, the colours of the walls and the ceilings have long faded but the structure is outstanding, you can’t help but take a moment’s silent contemplation of the events that have occurred in this building.

Just across the hall is the hair dressers, a once neat row of chairs and dryers whose only customers now seem to be the ever encroaching fauna.

The water tower is accessible from one of the main corridors of the hospital, which is unusual most Water towers only have exterior or subterranean access, my fear of heights is well known, I have been up other Water towers but this one I decided to leave well alone, all the floors are wood and the ladders on various floors are either missing rungs or simply not there!

There was a man, possibly a former patient who used to live within the walls of the asylum long after it has closed, we found where he used to reside though I presume that with all of the vandalism and the continuing plans of regeneration of this site he has moved on to pastures new.

According to the security guard we spoke to (who kindly gave us a tour of the burnt out mortuary) further planning considerations are being discussed at the beginning of September 2005.

There is a well vandalised annexe in the grounds of Hellingly which although seems small on the outside the inside reveals long corridors and its own kitchen. This part of Hellingly is well vandalised and whole sections of floor are missing in some areas making it quite difficult to get around. As we were wandering around this section we came across the remains of a padded cell which someone at some point had decided would make a nice location for a fire, there is not much left now but it is still a remarkable sight. 

Hellingly Tour Gallery