The History
This Hospital was originally built as a private residence called Basford House for a Mr H.B Jackson, a retired shipping merchant. It was completed in 1850 in a Classical Italian style, and after being sold multiple times, its then owner, James Nuttall, permitted the British Red Cross to use it an auxiliary hospital during the First World War.
Basford House - a commanding structure over the local area
This Hospital was originally built as a private residence called Basford House for a Mr H.B Jackson, a retired shipping merchant. It was completed in 1850 in a Classical Italian style, and after being sold multiple times, its then owner, James Nuttall, permitted the British Red Cross to use it an auxiliary hospital during the First World War.
Basford House - a commanding structure over the local area
A local Hospital trust ran by the Red Cross acquired the building in 1925 and it was adapted to become a maternity hospital as part of the Local War Memorial Scheme.
Mid-90s NHS signage, re-badged to reflect changes in local trusts
As with most medical facilities in the U.K, it joined the National Health Service (NHS) as an acute hospital in 1948, the year of the NHS’s foundation, and closed in 1983.
Originally the Maternity Ward, built during the expansion of the hospital in 1925 featuring some curtains that would make anyones Granny jealous!
It was during this time that Andy Gibb, member of the well known band The Bee-Gees was born in this very hospital. Not it’s only famous export either, during its days as a residence, Aviation Pioneer John Alcock was born in the adjoining Coach House in 1892.
Corridors leading between the Basford House site and the Maternity Hospital portion of the complex
It was reopened as a geriatric hospital in 1985 and served as such for a number of years, providing outpatient services alongside such as Physiotherapy. It was also the base for the Trafford Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS). Sections of the hospital closed in 2011 and the remaining in 2015 meaning this grand building has sat unoccupied ever since.
The calibre of floor litter in this building was second to none!
Plans have been submitted for its conversion into a healthcare centre once again and security has been recently ramped up, restoration is therefore not far off the cards!
The Explore
Our first and last view of the building, a day room for the geriatric services provided here
What is an explore with out a pointless utility room shot?
After a quick scout around and under the presence of many cameras/sensors we knew time was of the essence. We found the access point and made our way into the building. We started in the stretching corridors of the therapies department, walking around rooms of Physio beds, curtains and more. Administrative offices occupied every other room and toilets were aplenty.
Our first and last view of the building, a day room for the geriatric services provided here
What is an explore with out a pointless utility room shot?
While trashed, there are some decently cool pieces of equipment left behind here.
Standard ‘uppy-downy’ bath. The most fun you can have in a hospital - bathe at altitude
Lovely paint peel going on here if not a bit chaotic
Making our way up some stairs between clinically green-clad peeling walls, we found ourself on the Wards. Rooms after rooms where once beds would have been were now bereft, each however in one way or another retaining their enamelled lamp, every one damaged in a slightly different way which set the character for the room.
The Beds are long gone but their accessories remain
Lovely old fashioned lamps, each was dented in its own special way
Navigating these halls to another set of stairs, we were lead down into the consultant corridors. The floors were littered with everything from scrubs to public health pamphlets. One spur off of this saw us in the X-Ray room, booth remaining as well as the board against which you would support yourself. The preparation room next door held the developing equipment, lenses and a comprehensive list of patients and their ailments.
The opportunities with the natural light in this place were a relief
X Ray room, at least the bare bones of it are left (wahey)
Past this, it was like stepping into the 1980s with NHS wallpaper hung as far as the eye could see, accentuated by the daydo rails and acting as a background to some very old signage. In this area we found the reception desk and waiting area; unnervingly quiet.
Some old Wall Furniture on some really old Wallpaper
Behind the front desk, I think it might need a new ribbon
Realising we were now passed where the original 1800s section of the complex was, we navigated the corridor back and found a very understated door for what it lead to.
Past this, it was like stepping into the 1980s with NHS wallpaper hung as far as the eye could see, accentuated by the daydo rails and acting as a background to some very old signage. In this area we found the reception desk and waiting area; unnervingly quiet.
Some old Wall Furniture on some really old Wallpaper
Behind the front desk, I think it might need a new ribbon
Realising we were now passed where the original 1800s section of the complex was, we navigated the corridor back and found a very understated door for what it lead to.
All that seperated Basford House from the rest of the complex
Past the stair lift the environment opened up to a large hallway, ornately decorated with more luxurious wood panelling and plasterwork. A staircase lead off to the right, a grand thing in itself but now held up with a contradictory utilitarian scaffold. The floor we were on was feeling treacherous enough so we didn’t brave the upper floor however a shot of natural light painted over the now green moulded walls gave us enough of an insight to the state of the once grand corridors.
Either a skylight or no roof, we couldn’t get close enough to tell!
It was around this time we felt our welcome was coming to an end and as such we did a hasty video and made our way out. On leaving, the security guard had found us and escorted us to the nearest exit. We were off the hook and in the car soon enough and glad we finally hit this fascinating building.
I hope you enjoy, a slightly different style than I’ve done before but I hope it comes across as intended! Cheers, Jonesy 🤟🏻
Random bonus shots that ended up here through no fault of my own
