Report - St Georges Asylum, Morpeth, July 2011

[catbalou]

Originally called the Northumberland County Pauper Lunatic Asylum, St Georges was founded in 1853 and opened its doors in 1859. Architect Henry Welch designed a corridor plan layout. The hospital was built at a cost of £58000 and in the end of its first year, saw 154 patients admitted.
Standing derelict since 1995, St Georges seems to have deteriorated rapidly since the last reports I've seen on the place a couple of years back, and looks a mere shadow of its former self.

A nice site documenting its history can be found here: -
http://www.stgeorgeshistory.org.uk/site/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

I thought the inside would be in better condition, due to the fact this place is well-patrolled and secure, but it would appear that the elements and natural decay really have taken their toll.

For me, the tower was the best part... fantastic views over Northumberland. Downside of the visit was that since 'Plan A' of getting in went a tad wrong, it took an age to put 'Plan B' into action and it got dark way too quickly before I was able to explore everywhere...
oh, and I broke my tripod...
well, actually I landed on it
Visited with Stranton.

Cat