Severalls Hospital, (or Severalls Asylum as its was originally known) Colchester, opened in 1913 for 1800 patients. It is based on the “echelon plan”, which is a specific arrangement of wards, offices and services within easy reach of each other by a network of interconnecting corridors.
Phased closure began in the 1990’s and is still in progress. A large proportion of the closed site has been earmarked for housing development but with the current ‘credit crunch’ and down turn in the housing market this may not happen anytime soon.
Colchester United FC have recently moved in next door in a new purpose built 15’000 all seater stadium.
Kaye, have a look here, http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=64942
Anyone able to give an update as to what is happening at the Severalls Hospital site. Many thanks – and old Severalls trained RMN…………..
It’s still there.
I worked as a student nurse here – we had some fantastic times. Its a shame is has all gone.
I worked at Severalls laboratory from 1964 to 1971 and have great memories of the place – lovely buildings and grounds.Spent many happy hours wandering around the wards, villas, etc. taking blood!
i worked at severalls for a good ten years as a nurseing assistant.many fond memories of staff and patients.it was such an amazeing place to work.such a shame its now just a memory.r.i.p severalls.
I worked at Severalls as an NA and later a RMN.Many good times many almost unbelievable experiences with patient experiences.Intending to start a book in May. Anybody remembering me 1975-1980 please contact e-mail address. Now a Sister in Portsmouth prison.Very sad to see my much loved severalls slowly dying.These old insitutions will never ever be replicated either by design or comradery.Please contact kaye.thackaberry@hmps.gov.gsi.uk
In 1971 we were told about a sunken fence called the HaHa which kept in the inmates but didn’t offend the external residents because it wasn’t visible. One student asked if this was a joke! Apparently i wasn’t!!!!
Anyone know more?
QPD
I’m sure its fair to say every hospital will have its stories and myths. Severalls is a very quiet place these days, slowly crumbling away.
It is a very interesting old building – some excellent photos. However – if you know some of the stuff that used to happen there I would not walk around on my own !!! – maybe urban myths though ???
hi simon do you live near do you want to go in and have a look?
Developers turning these buildings into flats are the site’s only hope of salvation. Without this type of re-use, the whole lot comes down and we get another estate of upwardly-aspirant pastel-coloured boxes.
Great site.
Excellent – is this novel avaliable to buy?
I once worked, as a porter, at Severalls and it forms part of the background for my novel about mental health.
Hello I am Spanish, within a few days traveling to England, and I’d like to visit this former hospital, now, they have demolished? or you can even see?
Thanks!
I have to say i live quite close by, and i got lost trying to find it so i ended up looking at the old buildings of the hospital. (Colchester general i think… i’m not sure…)
You take some wonderful pictures,
I really hope they don’t turn ‘em in to flats or anything, the buildings seem so beautiful. and it would be a shame to see something as beautiful as that go to developers, I think i might hop in the car tomorrow and get some picture of the outside, just incase.
I hope the current economic state means they dont rip these places apart.
Soon to be more closures though, due to the credit crunch.
Out of bad comes good
make lemonade and all that