The name Runwell is not new to the world of UE although I would think these days there are few people on here who would particularly remember it. Back around 2004 and 2005 we explored its neuroscience wing which was used to do a huge amount of research into mental health problems. It was an awesome place, a real 'brains in jars' affair! Unfortunately it was one of my first explores and all photos I took are unbelievably useless, who knew taking photos in the dark was possible back then!?
Shortly after our visit that block got cleaned out, de-asbestos'd and what not and everything was lost. Since then ive visited once or twice over the years to keep my eye on the place knowing that closure of the main hospital was due any time soon. The date kept getting put back and back, 2007 then 2008 then 2009, it was getting silly but thankfully when I visited in October last year changes were afoot. A new replacement hospital had sprung up next door and new wards had closed. Over the next few months I kept going back, doing a bit more each time. At first things were still very live and at times I ended up exploring live asylum but as of March 20th the place was officially closed and the boilers stood down. For the first time in a long time there was a whole abandoned un-explored asylum sitting there asking for it.
Being built in the 30s and more modern than most you would expect it to not be as good as others but I find it in many ways more interesting. Its a similar colony design to West Park, with central hall, flanked by corridors, an admin block to the front and industrial areas to the back. The ward villas sprout from each side with some connected by covered walkways. It all makes for it being a bit of a tricky explore, there’s not just one access to it all, for each section you need to evade the security man, find a way in, keep low and then get out unscathed for the next bit. Over about 6 visits ive managed to get around a lot of the place but i am far from covering it all. There’s still many wards, the boiler houses and a chapel to check out but its time I posted something and shared the wealth.
I suggest if you want history you start at wikipiedia, it’s too much to explain everything that went on at this hospital here.
Lets set the scene with some random bits
and crack on with the good stuff!
The Mortuary
The mortuary was one of the first bits I found my way into. Obviously derelict quite a while I wasn’t sure whether to be disappointed with it or happy it had so much to see in there. As you can see it is crammed with junk but under all that junk its all still there, slabs, fridges, morticians boots you name it! You basically have 3 rooms, Chapel of rest, Post-mortem room and Fridge room all with their own features and feeling.
Shortly after our visit that block got cleaned out, de-asbestos'd and what not and everything was lost. Since then ive visited once or twice over the years to keep my eye on the place knowing that closure of the main hospital was due any time soon. The date kept getting put back and back, 2007 then 2008 then 2009, it was getting silly but thankfully when I visited in October last year changes were afoot. A new replacement hospital had sprung up next door and new wards had closed. Over the next few months I kept going back, doing a bit more each time. At first things were still very live and at times I ended up exploring live asylum but as of March 20th the place was officially closed and the boilers stood down. For the first time in a long time there was a whole abandoned un-explored asylum sitting there asking for it.
Being built in the 30s and more modern than most you would expect it to not be as good as others but I find it in many ways more interesting. Its a similar colony design to West Park, with central hall, flanked by corridors, an admin block to the front and industrial areas to the back. The ward villas sprout from each side with some connected by covered walkways. It all makes for it being a bit of a tricky explore, there’s not just one access to it all, for each section you need to evade the security man, find a way in, keep low and then get out unscathed for the next bit. Over about 6 visits ive managed to get around a lot of the place but i am far from covering it all. There’s still many wards, the boiler houses and a chapel to check out but its time I posted something and shared the wealth.
I suggest if you want history you start at wikipiedia, it’s too much to explain everything that went on at this hospital here.
Lets set the scene with some random bits
and crack on with the good stuff!
The Mortuary
The mortuary was one of the first bits I found my way into. Obviously derelict quite a while I wasn’t sure whether to be disappointed with it or happy it had so much to see in there. As you can see it is crammed with junk but under all that junk its all still there, slabs, fridges, morticians boots you name it! You basically have 3 rooms, Chapel of rest, Post-mortem room and Fridge room all with their own features and feeling.
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