Fairmile hospital opened in 1870 and had a 132 year long career in caring for people with mental health problems. The site was purchased in in 1866 for the sum of £8,317 4s 9p. The architect Charles Henry Howells of Lancaster Place, London designed the asylum which was built at a total cost of £68,000.
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I worked at Fair Mile (please note it is two separate words) for 33 years. I was there when it closed in 2003 and managed to “rescue” a number of photographs and a few other pieces of it’s history. The redevelpoment of the site is nearing its end now and the main central build is home to luxury apartments. The memories live on though!
There were no belongings left, it was stripped inside. For many years it was very secure with an advanced PIR/Alarm system in place. Only around the time of my post was it accessible. There was the least amount of vandalism I’ve seen at a derelict hospital site bar St Mary’s in Stannington.
The morgue wasn’t in pristine condition, it was trashed and boarded on one side.. all that was left was a metal slab and a child’s coffin sizing instrument.
The Fairmile has now nearly been completed re-development wise. The main building was left completely untouched on the exterior as its a grade II listed building afterall and the housing inside is exquiste. These photos are beautiful and show exactly what the place was like before the developers came in. For those of you questioning what happened to the belongings inside, well vandals. most of the stuff left there was destroyed by them or stolen so all that was left when i went to visit a couple of days ago was the basic structure of the room, its a real shame but i did find out that the morgue itself was in pristine condition and that everythign that was left in it has gone to the nhs to deal with.
I had no idea the hospital was closed,,,very sad to see…pictures are great… i worked there as a very young n\a on farringdon early 90s…my first job when i left Ireland..had great times there and plenty of craic on nights out,,, great memories learned a lot about life and death.It thought me too live and travel lots while you can.thankfully which i still do .hoping all my former workmates are all well…..”christ was it that long ago?…”Wowww!
Looking back at these with a smile. It was one very cold day to say the least. -16 on my car read out when we arrived. Brrrr
I have a big interest in rested asylums in the uk, I love photography (hobby) and would love to take some pics in these old buildings…
my sister’s friend was a resident here some years ago. great shame.
i trained as a sdtudent nurse here mostly on henley ward in the early 90′s i have fond memories of the building and the grounds. it wass abeautiful building and a shame to see it go to ruin.
Lol the dreded bath again!
yeah it’s all fall alot of the equiment could bn sold off
I drive past this place every Friday on my way home from
Berkshire to Lincolnshire. I have done so for almost 4 years and
only in the last year discovered one of my ancestors was a patient
here in 1911. Very small world, and now I see it change as the
developers slowly level the out buildings. The main building seems
to be untouched so far.
Its such a shame to see this building going to rack and ruin, but what disgusts me more is the fact that so much of the stuff inside could have been sold to scrap yards and antique dealers. The NHS could have made some of its money back i see so much waist here when all we hear about is the NHS needs money.
The images are thought provoking my nan spent some time in there she had Alzheimer’s
Thanks for sharing the photos though they are great
I heard that this has been earmarked for housing. Do you know what state it is in currently?
hi jayne do you remember a patient called charlie herbert if so get in touch plz callaghan311@btinternet.com thanks
RE: I wonder where those nurses are now?
Some have retired but several continue to work at the hospital that was built to replace Fairmile, (Prospect Park). I am the ‘Jayne’ written on the white board and have many very happy memories of the hospital where I began as a student and left as a Ward Sister. Many of the staff & patients have a special affection for this beautiful gothic building, its’ fabulous grounds and many of the facinating stories handed down.
Very thought-provoking. I need to locate this place and pay a visit.
What a beautiful place, great panelling. The white board is an interesting touch, wonder where those nurses are now. I love the cold and frosty morning shot.