The North Wales Hospital locally known as Denbigh Mental or Denbigh Asylum; is a Grade II listed building. The once eloquent and imposing building was started in 1844 and completed in 1848- designed by architect Thomas Full James. It was designated for closure by MP Enoch Powell in 1960 and was finally shut for good in 1995.
Lobotomies, which consisted of the removal of parts of the brain, began to be routinely carried out in the 1930s as a supposed treatment for those considered insane - but the barbaric practice was stopped two decades later with the introduction of antipsychotic medicines.
I came across the hospital after trolling the internet for somewhere new to explore. It was very easy to find, and very remote.
It’s hard to explain just how huge this site is but sadly the only things remaining are the architecture.
Many fires have taken place here, the most recent being April 2018 when it was announced that Denbigh was going to be turned into a hotel. Large parts of the building still smelt of burning with many floors being totally destroyed.
The main part of the building is grade 2 listed, will be interesting to see what will happen to this stunning building.
September 2018
