Report - St Johns Lunatic Asylum, Bracebridge Heath - August 2015

[M33]

1st report so I hope it conforms and you all approve.

History.

St John’s hospital in Bracebridge Heath near Lincoln was built in 1852 to house and treat people with mental illnesses. Designed by architects Hamilton and Thomas Percy in a grand Italian-Style.

Originally called Lincolnshire Lunatic Asylum, the hospital could house 250 patients. The building was expanded in 1889 to house upwards of 680 patients, and by 1902 the site covered 120 acres. By 1926 the site had been further expanded and covered 160 acres. At its height the asylum had 944 beds available for patients, almost four times the original size.

The hospital was closed down in 1990 and is now being privately developed into housing. The new housing developments surrounding the asylum are set on the original grounds.

The visit.

So after a unplanned visit to RAF Upwood a week or so previous interest was sparked and this seemed like a good place to visit on a sunny Sunday.

We spent some time scoping out the site looking for possible entry points over the fencing. Finally settled on a spot far enough away from the Security hut. Over we went and then spend a little while walking the perimeter of the building looking for a way in properly, finally found a entry and in we went.

Started with the west wing which is the furthest from the developed area and worked across. Quite a lot of collapsed floors ceilings and really fairly well vandalised but a massive and impressive building. The theatre and walkway leading to it we particularly impressive.

We spent about 2 hours in the site without hearing or seeing a soul, until we were suddenly affronted by grumpy security man and his very shouty dog. He had a rant and then had us lead him out the way we came so he could seal our access point. He started off ranting about how we shouldn't be there and all the trouble we caused but he soon mellowed out as he warmed to the charms of my (very pretty) companion, he didn't even raise to the comment "if it wasn't for people like us exploring then you wouldn't have a job".

Anyway, enough of my jibba jabba.

Rubbish quality phone pics, decent camera will be taken on the next adventure.

 

[raisinwing]

It's still there then, sure this one is rumoured to be getting demolished every year...

Looks more or less the same as it has done for the past few years, still in reasonable condition.

 

[Exploring with Andy]

No staircase - looks like you were very close too!

Looks more or less the same as it has done for the past few years, still in reasonable condition.

I drive past the place every couple of weeks. I see a lot of work has been going on around the site, more new-build houses popping up on the site and admin looks like it's ready to move in to. But most of it is still untouched.

 

[M33]

No staircase - looks like you were very close too!



I drive past the place every couple of weeks. I see a lot of work has been going on around the site, more new-build houses popping up on the site and admin looks like it's ready to move in to. But most of it is still untouched.

We did find the staircase but it had scaffold over it so didn't make for a great photo. It was like climbing through a spiders web going up the stairs the way the scaffold was set all over them.

all

 

[Exploring with Andy]

We did find the staircase but it had scaffold over it so didn't make for a great photo. It was like climbing through a spiders web going up the stairs the way the scaffold was set all over them.

That's a shame, it was quite a nice staircase

 

[Jordan Barker]

Hi guy's, I live very close bye and was wondering what sort of security there is?

With the looks of it once your in your okay?and if you could possibly tell me what direction it was that you went in from?

 

[ACID- REFLUX]

Hi guy's, I live very close bye and was wondering what sort of security there is?

With the looks of it once your in your okay?and if you could possibly tell me what direction it was that you went in from?

Possibly not

Funny the OP stated he told Secca the entry point which was sealed:

You don"t ask for or give access detail out on a publically viewable Forum for obvious reasons....that"s for Facebook If you indeed "live local" you should have no trouble checking the place out for yourself should you ? whoever you are

 

[Jordan Barker]

I apologise, like you probably know very new to the site (y) hope you understand

The basis of it is I can see a few entry points...but what happens and what should I say if let's say....I do get caught?

 

[M33]

I apologise, like you probably know very new to the site (y) hope you understand

The basis of it is I can see a few entry points...but what happens and what should I say if let's say....I do get caught?

There was 1 security guard with a dog on the day we went. He said the dog picked up our scent but we were in there for a good couple of hours before getting caught.

We entered from the side closest to security but furthest away from the end they are developing and managed to explore all the way across to the development end. As per site rules i'm not going to reveal entry information but it wasn't overly challenging, just have a wander around and see what you can see.

As for getting caught it's no biggie, the secca was a bit ranty but all he did was escort us out via our entry point so he could "secure" it.

 

[bencadwell]

I know this is quite an old thread but is this place still standing and accessable? Thanks

 

[trikey]

Certain parts are still there, but its not the place it used to be.

 

[bencadwell]

Certain parts are still there, but its not the place it used to be.

Still worth a visit though or not do you think? Its not too far away from me about 50 mile ish

 

[mookster]

For 50 miles it's more than worth it. About half the main building is left including the hall.

 

[bencadwell]

For 50 miles it's more than worth it. About half the main building is left including the hall.

Think i will have to take a trip then, thanks

 

[J_xde14]

Think i will have to take a trip then, thanks

I know this is an old thread but is there a postcode or anything as to how I could find this place?