Many of the terms that once accompanied them, such as "lunatic" or "imbecile" are also now deemed inappropriate. No purchase necessary. Patients would be invited to stay with him and, according to research by The Malling Society, he advertised his services in newspapers. Six pumps attended and the 350 patients in that wing were evacuated. St Augustine's, Chartham, near Canterbury. But tragedy struck on November 29, 1952 after a fire broke out. When the policy of keeping mentally-ill people in institutions for many years was ditched towards the end of the 1900s, and services were transferred to Maidstone Hospital, Oakwood was closed. Ashford - Maidstone. Although the fire was promptly put under control, a 115 foot ventilation tower suddenly collapsed during the clean-up operation and claimed six lives. The plot is 6292 if thats any help.Thanks very much>, http://www.aditnow.co.uk/uk-mining-regions/default.aspx?ref=51, Ormskirk Cottage Hospital & Dispensary / West Lancashire College Campus - Oct 2022. His practice, also known as Dr Perfect's asylum, was in West Malling High Street and it was also his home. Here's the link to our main Facebook page where we share our latest stories, including anything from breaking news to features, court coverage and much, much more. Its large site, on Chartham Downs, meant that it could be self-contained, and it had a farm, baker, butcher, chapel and even a cricket team. Transcribed by D. E. Williams November 2017. Each Small Candle Lights A Corner Of The DarkYou can visit my webpage at www.arthurghost.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk. By 1948, Oakwood held 2,000 patients. Initially it comprised a central unit with projecting E and W wings, with a detached chapel and blocks to the N. Many more buildings added by 1908, the asylum cemetery and chapel now on the S side of Oakapple Lane. Oakwood Park, Maidstone. The hospital was finally closed in 1994, with Maidstone Hospital taking up its remaining services. Last Name(s) Special characters are not allowed. This facility offers a cutting-edge, three-story medical . Six pumps attended and the 350 patients in that wing were evacuated. The tunnels aren't completely sealed, they have left access for bats at bothends. It feels really peaceful, just by looking at the photos. And we have a specialist Facebook group covering traffic and travel across the south east, where we provide the latest updates from any incidents on the roads or trains. NATO Coldblow Ace High Relay Station, Maidstone, 2015, Crown and Horseshoes Pub, Maidstone, 2015. This included an additional building, built in 1850, named The Queens House. View all View all photos (130) Traveler (120) Room & Suite (33) Dining (8) About 3.5 Very good 446 reviews #13 of 19 hotels in Maidstone Location 3.6 They said they could see up through the cracks in the road so they knew they were under the road, but exactly where, they couldn't tell! This was the last major building programme at the hospital. Hide this ad by donating or subscribing ! Alledgedly they carried out various uses, such as transportingprisoners and air raid shelters, the tunnels alledgedly run from theold mental asylum (a good mile out of town), all the way down to theriver and beyond it, through parts of the high street (Gabriel'sHill), and out to County Hall where much of the local government isbased. The management was condemned, particularly for the way it used electroconvulsive therapy - passing electrical currents through the brain. Curiously have just found article mentioning sandstone mines under Mote Park, wonder if there is any linkage..? There is a tunnel from the river going to underground reservoir tanks at the old asylum. Due to arson attacks during this time, the decision was made to demolish the Hermitage Block and other out-buildings. Its absolutely fascinating anyway! The River Medway runs through the centre of the town, linking it with Rochester and the Thames Estuary. "Of course there are some bad cases, but the system of classification is so judiciously adopted that they are specially looked after, while patients who can be trusted are allowed all the liberty and enjoyment possible.". It was therefore inevitable that the Oakwood Hospital would close or see a change in its role. Turn left and. Also found anything else interesting!!? It couldn't be simpler and it takes seconds - simply press here, enter your email address and follow the instructions. There have been many rumors of tunnels hidden beneath the city maidstone but no one can really find any proof of it. SMR Kent uncatalogued index entry. It would be great just to know what was down there. Cross in memory of those buried here, Oakwood Park Cemetery, Barming. This building was also designed by the architect John Whichcord Snr. I've done lots of walks around town. We have heavily documented the place's chequered history over the years. It was erected between 1829 and 1833 on a site in Barming Heath, just to the west of Maidstone. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). It opened in 1902 in what had been a manor house, called Stone House, and its capacity of about 250 beds made it one of the smallest institutions of its kind in the country. Archaeological Evaluation Report.. now doesn't that just makepurfect sense? Culverts aren't really my thing thou, so I've never been inclined to check it out. All rights reserved. "In looking through the sleeping rooms we noticed that the patients who can be trusted are allowed to pass their nights in privacy without being watched or visited; others who need some little attention are visited by an attendant at intervals, and the record of the visit is registered by a telltale clock; while others of a suicidal or otherwise dangerous kind are kept constantly under observation. We continue to make this information available for inspection and reuse but can no longer guarantee its accuracy. This place is literally five minutes from me- I live up the road from the old asylum site which is now houses. Some internet browsing identified it as a psychiatric hospital long de-commissioned. The info me and my friends gathered led us to believe that the tunnels began up towards the old mental hospital (now a housing estate) just off of Tonbridge road, theres still a ton of old buildings in the area, possible access? The psychiatric complex stood derelict for a number of years, giving urban explorers the opportunity to venture into its corridors. Romania: Castles, Ruins, and Medieval Villages, Iceland in Summer: Journey Through a Fabled Land, Monster of the Month w/ Colin Dickey: Mokele-Mbembe, Accidental Discoveries: A Celebration of Historical Mistakes, Antiques and Their Afterlives: Stories from the Collection of Ryan and Regina Cohn, Monster of the Month w/ Colin Dickey: Satanists, Once Upon a Time: Fairy Tale Writing With Anca Szilgyi, Gourds Gone Wild: Growing and Crafting Gourds With Gourdlandia, Playing Ancient Games: History & Mythology With John Bucher, Secrets of Tarot Reading: History & Practice With T. Susan Chang, Why 18th-Century Scots Performed Mock Human Sacrifices Over Cake. Buildings of England: West Kent and the Weald. https://www.asylumprojects.org/index.php?title=Oakwood_Hospital&oldid=25723. Free parking is available in St Andrews Road, where the gatehouse and entrance to the gardens can be found. Now Open. After closure there were a spate of arson attacks on the buildings and on 11 May 1997 work began to demolish the Hermitage Block and other unused buildings. "On both the men's and the women's sides there are ample pleasure grounds in which to walk, and with the purpose of giving the idea of liberty there are no high walls, and the distant view is not obstructed. Unlike other abandoned asylums this empty institution welcomes visitors, just don't go in the buildings. Nick CatfordKent Underground Research Group (one of my other hats). Our Education Directory has everything you could possibly need! (Just hope they got all the people off the bus if it is down there! I found the article again last week. The inquest will open on Wednesday. (Unpublished document). Hi I'm new to this site but have been watching it for a while. JavaScript is disabled. The reporter commented: "The entrance is from a road with a southern aspect, through a great gateway between which and the principal entrance is a wide intervening space planted with shrubs, trees, and flowers. Lovely pics, Tomlook forward to seeing your film ones. The development and expansion of the hospital continued in 1867, when a third building was added; the new asylum block was called Hermitage Block. However, there is supposedly a blocked off entrance in Mote Park which is near enough impossible to get into. Held in the Centre for Kentish Studies.. Part of: Former site of Hermitage House at Oakwood Hospital (Monument). As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Oakwood Hospital, Maidstone East Barming, Kent;Maidstone, Kent Oare Methodist Church Oare, Kent . St Andrew's House and The Queen's House are both Grade II listed buildings and so were spared demolition. Plan meals, try new foods and explore cuisines with tested recipes from the country's top chefs. In the late 1990s, work began on redeveloping the area as a housing estate, which is still known as St Augustine's. Horsemen once used this tilting post during jousting practice. As the asylum expanded, additions and extensions were made to this building until it had reached maximum potential capacity. "In looking through the sleeping rooms we noticed that the patients who can be trusted are allowed to pass their nights in privacy without being watched or visited; others who need some little attention are visited by an attendant at intervals, and the record of the visit is registered by a telltale clock; while others of a suicidal or otherwise dangerous kind are kept constantly under observation. Sorry this is just another urban myth. You have successfully removed Oakwood Hospital Cemetery from your Photo Volunteer cemetery list. The Cross erected to the memory of all the persons buried here, and avenue of evergreen trees. Oakwood Hospital St Andrews Rd Maidstone, designed by John Whichcord Snr 1830. In 1957, the hospital was the scene of a tragedy when a tower collapsed following a fire, killing seven people and injuring many more. Good idea, I'll have a nosey about in the future some time. Sadly all the entrances i know of have been filled in. It was the principal location for those considered in need of institutionalising in Kent, and took in people from all over the county, as well as from London. SKE13221. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. (SOmeyears ago I was involved in airfreighting Asparagus. [2], On 29 November 1957, a fire broke out in the tailor's workshop on the first floor of one of the buildings. In the proceeding years it was, however, deemed fit enough for royal visitors, with both Princess Anne and Princess Diana welcomed there. My brother and his mates walked them a few years ago under moat park via Cheshire home (the large listed building in the park.) SKE7297. The fire brigade was called at 06:40 and arrived four minutes later. [1] It was designed as one building, commonly referred to as St Andrew's House, using an early corridor design by the surveyor to the County of Kent, John Whichcord Snr (who also designed Maidstone County Gaol). im in and out maidstone all the time due to college i haven't seen anything that related to tunnels but you never know have you tryed looking in some history to see they was? In 2000 the hospital's function was taken over by the psychiatric wing of the new Maidstone Hospital and the original buildings were vacated. The hospital shut in 1993 and most of its buildings, although not the chapel, were demolished. See also MED01/01/2855-2860 and MED01/01/2862-2865. The buildings that remained, all Grade II-listed, have been converted into apartments. The site since then has been redeveloped for housing. There was work done on the town hall in the late 30's and the new police headquarters also came online in the 1930's. It was therefore inevitable that the Oakwood Hospital would close or see a change in its role. In the decades that followed there was a move towards de-institutionalisation. As demands grew, the capacity of the original accommodation building, St Andrews House, became increasingly insufficient. As with many things in Victorian England, those that could afford it were offered better accommodation, and wealthy private patients were housed in a separate house in the grounds. But tragedy struck on November 29, 1952 after a fire broke out. . Hermitage Lane Maidstone . The Oakwood Hospital was founded as the "Kent County Lunatic Asylum" in 1833. (Unpublished document). Thanks to a couple of members that showed me a map picture it seems that there is at least one tunnel that runs straight under the city (which could even interlink into more?) Was Oakwood an institution for chronic mentally ill patients in 1969 and could it be possible she . Thanet: The lost island swallowed by Kent and how it could become one again. Following transfer of services to Maidstone Hospital, Oakwood closed in 1994 and was then developed as a residential estate known as St Andrew's Park. Hi. Oakwood Park, Maidstone is 337 meters away, 5 min walk. Oakwood Hospital, Maidstone, Kent. It was therefore inevitable that the Oakwood Hospital would close or see a change in its role. oakwood hospital maidstone tunnels. List of Archives Relating to Oakwood Hospital, Maidstone. It opened in 1878, initially for 560 youngsters aged five to 16. I've not been there myself yet, it was permanently locked about 8 years ago.KURG dug into a network of underground stone quarries, there is an angledshaft probably in undergrowth at the base of a cliff or hillside. Both of these buildings were designed by the architect John Whichcord Snr. Wow, that would be absolutely fascinating if it is all down there. St. Andrew's House, Oakwood Hospital, Maidstone, Kent.. Miscellaneous Material: Not applicable. The Oakwood Hospital was founded as the Kent County Lunatic Asylum, a single building constructed between 1829 and 1833 in Maidstone, Kent. Our sister paper the Dover Express visited the asylum in 1904 and published a descriptive account of the inside of the building. Hi, I live in Maidstone and as a child i remember going through tunnels up by the old mental hospital. The Maidstone Health Authority Operational Plan for 1984/85 (paragraph 4.2) states that the long term objective was to close the Oakwood Hospital. At its peak, the asylum held around 2,000. 5 min walk. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. Asylum Project explains: During the 1970s and 1980s there was a change in focus on the best way to treat the mentally ill and housing patients long-term in large institutions was falling out of favour. As a precaution some 340 patients have been moved, 132 to other hospitals. The Oakwood Hospital was originally founded as the "Kent County Lunatic Asylum". Middle Name. What's for dinner? This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. St Andrew's House was converted into apartments in 2001-2002 after some 60,000 was spent by a specialist firm to landscape the grounds which had become overgrown. At 10:00, the tower collapsed, killing four firemen, two nursing staff and a patient and injuring a number of people. Cheers guys any info is a help. You can also follow KentLive on Twitter here, as well as on our Instagram page where we share great pictures of Kent. [2] The hospital closed completely in 1994. Once the extravagant escape of the Ford family, this enigmatic ruin now stands as a haunting reminder of its former glory. The reporter commented: "The entrance is from a road with a southern aspect, through a great gateway between which and the principal entrance is a wide intervening space planted with shrubs, trees, and flowers. By the time that the hospital passed into the care of the South East Metropolitan Hospital Board in 1948 it was authorised to accommodate 2055 patients, although the figure is likely to have been higher than this. By 08:00 the fire was out, and the clearing-up process began. Try this hotel. Blanche, Andrew, (20th cent), operator of a tunnel boring machine on the Channel Tunnel project; Blathwayt, William, (?1649-1717), statesman and civil servant; Bligh, John Stuart, (1827-1896), 6th Earl of Darnley ; You are using an out of date browser. Darenth went on to become a training centre, or colony as they were known, with patients taught skills that helped support the board's other institutions, such as making clothes and bedding. The Neolithic megalith was one of the first archaeological ruins protected by the British government. St Andrew's House was converted into apartments in 2001-2002 after some 60,000 was spent by a specialist firm to landscape the grounds which had become overgrown., Barming Asylum later became Oakwood Hospital. (Miscellaneous Material). It comprised one building; commonly referred to as St Andrew's House,. Oakwood Hospital and Medical Center. I would like to express my deepest sympathy with the relatives of those killed and injured in this tragic occurrence and my deep appreciation of the courage and devotion of all members of the hospital staff, the fire service, the Civil Defenceteams and others engaged in the work of rescue.. The asylum was intended to take in patients from across the entire county of Kent, which then stretched as far west as Greenwich. The Oakwood Hospital was originally founded as the "Kent County Lunatic Asylum". please contact any Oakwood Care Center personnel or the facility Administrator at (410)-687-1383 or by TTY at (410) 682-4174. <3> Oxford Archaeological Unit, 1998, Queen's House, Oakwood Hospital, Maidstone DTS (Unpublished document). The Oakwood Hospital was founded as "Kent County Lunatic Asylum" - a single building constructed between 1829 and 1833 in Barming Heath, Maidstone. I dont know much more, but my grandma is very into history and this is all i remember her saying.. Originally known as the Kent County Lunatic Asylum, it opened in 1833 and could house up to 1,577 patients at its Barming Heath site, near Maidstone. Oakwood Hospital was founded in Maidstone as the Kent County Lunatic Asylum. Oakwood Hospital was founded in Maidstone as the Kent County Lunatic Asylum. He explained: I deeply regret that a fire broke out in the tailor's shop at this hospital at 6.40am on Friday, November 29. Oakwood Hospital in Barming Heath near Maidstone, England was a psychiatric hospital founded in 1833 as the Kent County Lunatic Asylum. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. When they built the new housing estate off of queens road by oakwood park some of these tunnels were opened up altho they have all been filled in now. 506. Do not trespass. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Located in Barming Heath, it opened its doors in 1833, admitting its first 168 patients. Hey all, I lived in Maidtone for the bulk of my life and heard the same stories. 10X. "The only depressing sight in these rooms was the patients themselves, but if we had not known that mental derangement was the cause of their being detained there, there was little in their demeanour to indicate the fact. He explained: I deeply regret that a fire broke out in the tailor's shop at this hospital at 6.40am on Friday, November 29. Sign up to our daily newsletter for all the latest Kent stories and breaking news delivered straight to your inbox. Oakwood Hospital was founded in Maidstone as the Kent County Lunatic Asylum. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Plans for a new hospital for Maidstone were approved in the mid-1970s and the site chosen was just to the north of the Oakwood Hospital. Welcome to 28DaysLater.co.uk - 28DL - The UK Urban Exploring / Urban Exploration / Urbex Forums. I was just wondering of you could repost the picture of the map because its been deleted. It may not display this or other websites correctly. The building was designed by John Whichcord, who was also responsible for drawing up the plans for Maidstone Prison. [6], Following the introduction of Care in the Community in the early 1980s and also the transfer of some services to Maidstone Hospital, Oakwood Hospital then became known as the Maidstone Hospital (Psychiatric Wing). Oneday I had to go inside a container which was loaded up and had the fangoing. newman W Kent and the Weald p403. Maidstone - Five Oak Green. Unpublished document: Oxford Archaeological Unit. When it joined the NHS in 1948, the hospital became Oakwood Hospital and housed 2,000 patients. Details of the incident were discussed in Hansard on December 2 that year by Derek Walker-Smith, then Minister of Health. You said at the time that you had been down there and the air was OK. After the First World War, it became known as Canterbury City Mental Hospital, and was renamed St Martin's, after the church nearby, following the Second World War. It may not be so far fetched, the old police station was at the corner of Knightrider St and Stone St, Mote House was used in the war for various things and Kent was frontline. . Gate lodges and long drive to large ragstone 3 storey 5 bays with pedimented porch on tuscan columns of four. Unpublished document: Oxford Archaeology. Kent areas with worst pollution amid controversial ULEZ expansion, Current plans would see the Ultra Low Emissions Zone expanded this summer, Arrest after man has neck cut in 'serious assault', Police are now appealing for witnesses and those with information to come forward. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. For a round-up of the day's top stories direct to your inbox, subscribe to our newsletter here. With growing demand for places for adults, more buildings went up in the late 1880s, 10 in total, five for men and five for women. Oakwood House Oakwood Park Tonbridge Road, Maidstone ME16 8AE England Check In / / Check Out / / Guests Contact accommodation for availability. "Steve Walker" wrote in messagenews:ak8p97$maj$1@news5.svr.pol.co.uk > "Steve Piper" wrote in message> news:3e2a07a.02082@posting.google.com, Have a look athttp://www.swanley1.freeserve.co.uk/miscellaneous/ramsgate_tunnels.htm. Mike Clinch hasn't been the Secretary of KURG for a couple of years. December 4, and the Regional Hospital Board is arranging for an immediate investigation into the cause of the accident. Monograph: Newman, J.. 1980. Oakwood Hospital Originally known as the Kent County Lunatic Asylum, it opened in 1833 and could house up to 1,577 patients at its Barming Heath site, near Maidstone. This would lead to a reduction in patient numbers and a phasing out of functions to other hospitals. Among the more notable in Kent was one founded in the 1760s by William Perfect, a doctor who had a particular interest in treating people deemed to be insane. Something went wrong, please try again later. Oakwood Hospital St Andrews Rd Maidstone, designed by John Whichcord Snr 1830. 1990. SKE7262. St Andrew's House and The Queen's House are both Grade II listed buildings and so were spared demolition. A tunnel from the local asylum to county hall? atlantic orthopedic physical therapy,