To put it simply, Cane Hill was the big one. The one that everyone who ever had any links to Urban Exploration wanted to crack. Notoriously difficult with seemingly impermeable razor topped fencing and a security team who seemed to work 25 hours a day, 8 days a week.
The asylum itself was steeped in history, first opening its secure doors in 1882. Over the years many famous patients passed through the system however medical practices changed drastically and with the introduction of the Mental Health Act in 1983, the numbers of patients dwindled with the doors finally sealing shut in 1991.
A record amount of time was spent planning our visit. Access was tough however once inside we enjoyed an uninterrupted day of photography. Unlike the majority of asylums and hospitals, there was a lot of equipment, artefacts and evidence of former patients; a games room with a board game seemingly in perpetual motion, fully stocked medicine trolleys, an art room full of drawings, a dog eared birthday card, an impressive chapel and medical notes detailing patient treatments including electro-therapy.
Nothing has or ever will come close to the experience of exploring such a majestic place as Cane Hill. Now demolished, these photographs and the memories of that day are the only things that remain.
The asylum itself was steeped in history, first opening its secure doors in 1882. Over the years many famous patients passed through the system however medical practices changed drastically and with the introduction of the Mental Health Act in 1983, the numbers of patients dwindled with the doors finally sealing shut in 1991.
A record amount of time was spent planning our visit. Access was tough however once inside we enjoyed an uninterrupted day of photography. Unlike the majority of asylums and hospitals, there was a lot of equipment, artefacts and evidence of former patients; a games room with a board game seemingly in perpetual motion, fully stocked medicine trolleys, an art room full of drawings, a dog eared birthday card, an impressive chapel and medical notes detailing patient treatments including electro-therapy.
Nothing has or ever will come close to the experience of exploring such a majestic place as Cane Hill. Now demolished, these photographs and the memories of that day are the only things that remain.
