The Asylum

A bit of a sacred cow this one. We had wanted to crack it for a while, but the place is well fenced off and has security guards on patrol. A couple of early attempts came to nothing. Most memorably one time where Fragglehunter spent the afternoon playing can and mouse with a local farmer in the fields of Lancashire. As it turns out, access was a simply matter of spending long enough strolling around. The clues eventually appear and from there it was just a case of climbing through some bushes, over a fence, through a field, over another fence, waiting for security to move on, then a third fence and we were in the compound. From there is was a case of remaining out of sight and looking for a way in. We know of two. There will undoubtedly be more. Most importantly, we gained access without  breaking in or doing any damage. We take it seriously. We aren't pikeys!

Lots has been written about this place, but a few interesting facts might be that at its full capacity the asylum housed 3500 patients and had a staff of 600. Within the boundaries were a 500 acre working farm, its own water tower, a cinema / theatre, its own brewery and butchers. It also had its own railway station. It was the largest hospital in the UK and the second largest in Europe.

Fenced off and overgrown. It is absolutely jumping with wildlife.

Not in such good shape once inside. I went through the floor at one point. Theives have been at the lead and slates so the buildings are crumpling and rotten.

The sort of ward one might expect to meet Kenneth Williams or Hattie Jacques in.

One of the inter linked corridors, seen from above.

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The theatre. Note the two projector windows at the back.

One of dozens of day rooms.

Another inevitable chair shot.

Fragglehunter doing his thing.

The main entrance.

We probably only saw 10% of the site. It really is huge. As usual I have hundreds of photos. I will post more when time allows. Thanks for looking.