HELLINGLY HOSPITAL, HELLINGLY, EAST SUSSEX. OPENED 1903...............CLOSED 1994

ADMINISTRATION & CHAPEL

HISTORY & INTRODUCTION.........

BUILT IN AN ISOLATED LOCATION, HIGH ON A HILL SITS hellingly hospital (originally named EAST sussex county asylum), was opened in 1903. designed by g.t. hine, the principle asylum architect of the late victorian / early edwardian periods, AND TO HOLD ALMOST 2000 PATIENTS, the hospital is layed out on plan in the wide echelon type, similar to severalls hospital, with long straight and angled corridors connecting all the wards, the main hall and kitchens in the centre of the main hospital complex, boiler house and water tower to the north west corner, administration building on the northern side, and superintendent's house on the south side, and the chapel to the north of the main complex. however, unlike severalls hospital, the main hall survives, albeit vandalised, and the roof is covered in clay tiles, with some rather nice architectural detailing -a last gasp of victorian elegance. AS AT SEVERALLS HOSPITAL, THERE IS A MAZE OF CORRIDORS WHICH RUN BENEATH THE LONG CORIDORS, BRANCHING OFF UNDER THE MANY WARDS. A MORE UNUSUAL FEATURE IS THAT HELLINGLY HOSPITAL ONCE HAD IT'S OWN BRANCH LINE FROM THE MAIN RAILWAY LINE, ENDING UP OUTSIDE THE BOILERHOUSE AND WATER TOWER. THE LINE WAS FINALLY CLOSED IN THE 1959. UNFORTUNATELY ACCESS TO THE WATER TOWER IS NOT REALLY POSSIBLE DUE TO THE COLLAPSE OF THE BOTTOM SECTION OF THE LADDER. HOWEVER SOME ROOF VIEWS WERE ACHIEVED FROM THE TURRET ABOVE THE MAIN HALL ROOF -A RATHER INTERESTING CLIMB!!! HELLINGLY HOSPITAL TODAY STANDS EMPTY, HEAVILY VANDALISED AND NEGLECTED, AND YET THERE ARE STILL SOME REAL GEMS TO BE SEEN. PLEASE TAKE SOME TIME TO LOOK AT THESE PICTURES -PERHAPS YOU TOO WILL SEE SOME OF THE BEAUTY WHICH HELLINGLY HOSPITAL STILL RETAINS.