Report - Kirklees College / former Huddersfield Royal Infirmary - September 2020

[MotionlessMike]

Kirklees College started life as Huddersfield Royal Infirmary which was designed by Joseph Kay and opened in 1831. Later additions include the south wing in 1861, the north wing in 1874 and the Carlisle Wing, financed by a gift from Sir Hildred Carlisle in 1898. The foundation stone for a further extension was laid by the Duke of York in 1932.


The infirmary moved to new facilities at Lindley which were completed in 1965 and formally opened by Prime Minister Harold Wilson in January 1967. In the late 60’s the former Ramsden Technical College purchased the site for £105,000 with addition blocks being added in the early 70’s. By 1978 there were more than 8,000 pupils studying at the college – by this point known as ‘Huddersfield Technical College’ and made up on 10 blocks covering 6 acres.


In 2008, Huddersfield Technical College merged with Dewsbury College to become Kirklees College. Kirklees College would relocate to a new purpose built £70 million site in 2013 known as the ‘Waterfront Campus’.

I visited this place sometime last year but the weather was shite and it was pitch black so a sunny revisit was on the cards sometime. Even though the place is an absolute bombsite it has a lot of the things I want from a bit of UE tourism. Large enough to get lost in, contrasting styles of architecture, science classrooms, rooftops… And most of all it’s just good fun.

Visited with @Gsxrwayne

Main entrance of the 1830’s Royal Infirmary buildings which became the ‘F Block’ of the college

Main entrance of A Block from New North Road

At the other end of the site, J Block from Fitzwilliam Street

In the main entrance of the old bit, despite the damage it’s good to see the nice fanlight stained glass window has survived

The crusty bedframe which is a leftover prop from a film called ‘Extremis’ which was filmed in the college after closure

Cookery

Heading towards E Block which houses the canteen and kitchen areas

Moving into the newer bits

The science classrooms are upstairs in A Block, unfortunately there were only a couple of rooms which have escaped smashings over the years

Fume cupboard

A view of the site looking North East from the roof of A Block and some general views of Huddersfield

And that was about it, thanks for looking​

 

[HughieD]

Staircases and trohpies. What more could you ask for? Another great report @MotionlessMike

 

[Bikin Glynn]

Shame its so trashed looks like it would of been lovely at one time

 

[Jane Doe]

wow the old part is beautiful ..there are some nice bits left ... great photos

 

[Bugsuperstar]

Cracking report there mate.

 

[raisinwing]

Really nice looking place is that! Awesome shots too

 

[MotionlessMike]

Cheers all. Yeah the Georgian bits are nice, just such a shame they got so done over by pikeys and kids years ago. Would probably make a good case study for what not to do with vacant historical buildings!

 

[Fluffy]

Awesome, love that. The chairs in the wall made me giggle

 

[Calamity Jane]

What a shame its so trashed. But you can see in the old part some redeeming features. That opening photo is great, looks like a museum, very grand. Also like the roses on the iron work on the stairs.

Funnily enough the photo of the chairs in the wall, even though its meant as vandalism, I see a sort of art. Makes a good shot. Nice explore

 

[The Amateur Wanderer]

Was hoping somebody mig have opened up the air raid shelter by now!

 

[MotionlessMike]

Was hoping somebody mig have opened up the air raid shelter by now!

Wasn't aware there was one! Am back over that way soon hopefully...

 

[dave]

It was pretty bad when I went in 3 or 4 years ago I got the impression then that most of the copper had been taken. Thanks for the update great report too, I remember a room full of books on the ground floor, I had heard it had 24 hour security with dogs etc.

 

[Scoobysrt]

Nicely covered