The Kent County Lunatic Asylum opened in Barming Heath in 1833. The fire brigade arrived promptly and by 7.31am the fire was under control. Tell us more. However, there is supposedly a blocked off entrance in Mote Park which is near enough impossible to get into. SKE7262. By 1948 there were 2,000 patients being treated at the site. See also MED01/01/2855-2860 and MED01/01/2862-2865. (Unpublished document). 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 ; See. junio 12, 2022. keyboard shortcut to check a checkbox in word . [2], On 29 November 1957, a fire broke out in the tailor's workshop on the first floor of one of the buildings. When the hospital was finally closed in the 1990s, its functions had already transferred to the new Maidstone hospital, located a short distance away. Gate lodges and long drive to large ragstone 3 storey 5 bays with pedimented porch on tuscan columns of four. Maidstone Hospital Psychiatric Wing Previous name(s) Kent County Lunatic Asylum, Barming Heath until 1948 Oakwood Hospital from 1948 Address. Held in the Centre for Kentish Studies. Attempting to access the www.kurg.org.uk tonight gives a variety of interestingerror messages not sure what's broken but something seems to be. It comprised one building; commonly referred to as St Andrew's House,. It was erected between 1829 and 1833 on a site in Barming Heath, just to the west of Maidstone. 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. This was designed by Martin Bulmer. They later added: "In the men's side of the establishment we found just a little less of the decorative drawing room element, but everywhere pleasant features and ample facilities for enjoyment. St Andrew's House and The Queen's House are both Grade II listed buildings and so were spared demolition. SKE6440. The buildings that remained, all Grade II-listed, have been converted into apartments. http://www.swanley1.freeserve.co.uk/miscellaneous/ramsgate_tunnels.htm. You can still see the dips in the ground where the entrances used to be. The Cross erected to the memory of all the persons buried here, and avenue of evergreen trees. The Hospital Records database is no longer being updated. 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. not sure about that bit of tunnel but iv recently been along some that run from preton hall. Welcome to 28DaysLater.co.uk - 28DL - The UK Urban Exploring / Urban Exploration / Urbex Forums. St Andrew's House, Oakwood Hospital, St Andrew's Road, Maidstone. 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. The Oakwood Hospital then became known as the Maidstone Hospital (Psychiatric Wing) and some of its functions began to be transferred across to the new hospital. JavaScript is disabled. Said the engineers were talking about a tunnel that runs under stone street from Maidstone to Mote park, 6 / 7 metres down, shopkeeper verified this with an elderly resident who said the tunnels were escape tunnels from WW2. Official MapQuest website, find driving directions, maps, live traffic updates and road conditions. Not sure if this thread is still live, was speaking to shopkeeper on Knightrider Street who was talking about the current gas utilities works on Knightrider Street. Our sister paper the Dover Express visited the asylum in 1904 and published a descriptive account of the inside of the building. Middle Name. It was therefore inevitable that the Oakwood Hospital would close or see a change in its role. St Andrew's House and The Queen's House are both Grade II listed buildings and so were spared demolition. Located in Barming Heath, it opened its doors in 1833, admitting its first 168 patients. 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. Details of the incident were discussed in Hansard on December 2 that year by Derek Walker-Smith, then Minister of Health. With the shift away from long-term institutionalization of the mentally ill in the later part of the 20th century, the hospital fell into disuse, and was abandoned in the 1990s. Gate lodges and long drive to large ragstone 3 storey 5 bays with pedimented porch on tuscan columns of four storeys. Patients conditions also improved and they were allowed to keep birds, plants and pictures were permitted on the walls. What a gorgeous setting. >>Nick Catford>Kent Underground Research Group (one of my other hats)>. Oakwood Hospital in Barming Heath near Maidstone, England was a psychiatric hospital founded in 1833 as the Kent County Lunatic Asylum. 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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 first 168 patients were admitted in 1833. SMR Kent uncatalogued index entry. I thought it was, but you never know there might be more under there! Due to arson attacks during this time, the decision was made to demolish the Hermitage Block and other out-buildings. You can also follow KentLive on Twitter here, as well as on our Instagram page where we share great pictures of Kent. "We passed through when the patients were at their midday meal, and it was good to see not only how liberally they were served, but how carefully they were attended, each according to condition and necessity. It is understood he was nicknamed the 'Mad Doctor', something author Shirley Burgoyne Black seized upon for her book, An 18th Century Mad-Doctor: William Perfect of West Malling. Kent County Lunatic Asylum (Oakwood Hospital). The CO2 is in a different part of the network of shelter tunnels nolonger accessible from the railway tunnel because of a roof fall. SKE7623. She was in the hospital for 21 years iam wondering if you had seen a grave stating Clara Gunningham. Construction on the Maidstone Hospital began in 1980 and was completed in 1982/1983. List of Archives Relating to Oakwood Hospital, Maidstone. SKE6729. This 2,700-year-old woman is the jewel of the Maidstone Museum's Egyptian collection. It even had an asylum farm. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Oakwood Park, Maidstone is 337 meters away, 5 min walk. What's for dinner? Find nearby businesses, restaurants and hotels. The tunnels aren't completely sealed, they have left access for bats at bothends. - See 446 traveler reviews, 130 candid photos, and great deals for Oakwood House Hotel at Tripadvisor. December 4, and the Regional Hospital Board is arranging for an immediate investigation into the cause of the accident. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Buildings of England: West Kent and the Weald. Said the engineers were talking about a tunnel that runs under stone street from Maidstone to Mote park, 6 / 7 metres down, shopkeeper verified this with an elderly resident who said the tunnels were escape tunnels from WW2. Oakwood Hospital, Maidstone East Barming, Kent;Maidstone, Kent Oare Methodist Church Oare, Kent . which was the burial ground for Oakwood Hospital, will be . It may not display this or other websites correctly. But tragedy struck on November 29, 1952 after a fire broke out. Cheers are you from Maidstone then? The need for an asylum in Canterbury came about due to a local government reshuffle in 1889, when the city became a County Borough, independent of the rest of Kent. She was also buried here. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Much of its day-to-day administration was taken over by St Augustine's, although when that closed, more buildings were added to St Martin's. History of Maidstone, Allington Quarry Waste Management Facility, Maidstone (borough), Penenden Heath, Oakwood Hospital, Maidstone Hospital, Maidstone and The Weald (UK Parliament. At its peak, the asylum held around 2,000. 1998. This was the last major building programme at the hospital. On that subject, there was a thread about Ramsgate a few weeks/monthsback in which I said that the author of an article in "Backtrack" hadsaid that there were dangerous concentrations of CO2 in the tunnelsdue to rainwater percolating through and reacting with the chalk. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. By 1948 there were 2,000 patients being treated at the site. Although the fire was promptly put under control, a 115 foot ventilation tower suddenly collapsed during the clean-up operation and claimed six lives. That's the beginning of one of the culverted parts of the River Len which runs under the Sainsburys, the Shopping Centre and a few other roads etc. The hospital shut in 1993 and most of its buildings, although not the chapel, were demolished. 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. In the proceeding years it was, however, deemed fit enough for royal visitors, with both Princess Anne and Princess Diana welcomed there. 22. (1) The hospital complex also includes a chapel of 1848-52 (TQ 7350 5528), a clergy house of 1869, offices of 1866, a house of 1845 , a water tower of 1834-66, a dining hall of 1834-66 and a farm of 1834-66. Sign up to our daily newsletter for all the latest Kent stories and breaking news delivered straight to your inbox. The locations of said tunnels are rumoured to be linked and leading to: Preston Hall Hospital, Oakwood Hospital, and Mote House. . The first 168 patients were admitted in 1833. The Child-Eating Bunyip Haunts Australias Wetlands, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oakwood_Hospital. <1> Newman, J., 1980, Buildings of England: West Kent and the Weald, newman W Kent and the Weald p403 (Monograph). I've searched around the town centre for entrances but no luck. 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. Sorry this is just another urban myth. This closed in 1994 and has been converted for residential use. I've heard the opticians at the top of Gabriels hill (where the bus stops are) is above alot of tunnels, there is apparently a chapel inbetween that building and the Lush shop on the other side. The Kent County Lunatic Asylum opened in Maidstone in 1833. At about 9.50 am, while officers of the fire brigade and members of the hospital staff were inspecting the damage to ascertain the cause of the fire, the central tower collapsed, killing six people, including three fire brigade officers, a male nurse, the hospital printer, and a Polish patient, and injuring 15 others. December 4, and the Regional Hospital Board is arranging for an immediate investigation into the cause of the accident. You do not have permission to delete messages in this group, Either email addresses are anonymous for this group or you need the view member email addresses permission to view the original message, Ramsgate tunnels are still sealed :-( they done a good job of sealing it up, > There has been a very thorough job done this time but I think it's only a. Hi, I realise that your post is from 2002, so this might not even get to you, or you may have found out all you want to know about the tunnels under Maidstone. Our Education Directory has everything you could possibly need! 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. Oneday I had to go inside a container which was loaded up and had the fangoing. There are tunnels under Maidstone! <5> Oxford Archaeological Unit, 1998, Evaluation at Oakwood Hospital, Maidstone (Unpublished document). The Oakwood Hospital then became known as the Maidstone Hospital (Psychiatric Wing) and some of its functions began to be transferred across to the new hospital. SKE13221. The site since then has been redeveloped for housing. Explore! Kent's most notorious lunatic asylum is undoubtedly St Augustine's Hospital in Chartham. 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. Unpublished document: Oxford Archaeological Unit. Why bother to elect them when they can be delivered directly. The buildings which were Grade II Listed were spared demolition, and can be seen today. She wrote that he became "a successful practitioner at a time when few men considered it possible to relieve the insane, nervous and hysterical patients". Oakwood Hospital, Maidstone, Kent. [5], Further expansion took place between 1867 and 1872 with the building of the third asylum block (also known as the Hermitage Block). 2023 Atlas Obscura. Oakwood provided acute, specialty, primary and preventative care services, with four acute care hospitals and more than 50 outpatient facilities, 9,000 employees and 1,300 physicians. A new housing development now occupies the site of the demolished Hermitage Block. It comprised one building; commonly referred to as St Andrew's House,. The Oakwood Hospital then became known as the Maidstone Hospital (Psychiatric Wing) and some of its functions began to be transferred across to the new hospital.". By 08:00 the fire was out, and the clearing-up process began. By 1850 just before a new asylum wing, Queen's House, was added, the hospital could hold 443 patients. Carbon Dioxide Poisoning comes on quite fast and starts offfeeling like you've inhaled the contents of 10 or so bottles ofextremely lively soda water). It would be great just to know what was down there. There's something more worthwhile under Ramsgate, if that's within yourrange. You are using an out of date browser. Further expansion took place between 1867 and 1872 with the building of the third asylum block (also known as the New Building or Hermitage Block). Unpublished document: Oxford Archaeological Unit. Unpublished document: CgMs Consulting. It goesdown about 10 feet to a grille. By 1948, Oakwood held 2,000 patients. The location of Trench I was changed to avoid a service tunnel. This building work seems to have led to a redevelopment of the hospital with new centralised offices and workshops, and the hospital farm, located between the three wings, moving to the north of the site. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. Our dedicated team of physicians, nurses, therapists, aides and other healthcare professionals provide personalized and exceptional care that leads to shorter reco very times and more thorough . This included an additional building, built in 1850, named The Queens House. You are using an out of date browser. The injured, none of whom were patients, are progressing satisfactorily. The Oakwood Hospital was founded as the "Kent County Lunatic Asylum" in 1833. My brother and his mates walked them a few years ago under moat park via Cheshire home (the large listed building in the park.) This facility offers a cutting-edge, three-story medical . County Code Hospital Name/Address City Zip Table 2: 1960 - 2017 Historic Hospital List by COUNTY ALAMEDA 1 013 ACMC-HIGHLAND CAMPUS 1411 E. 31ST ST OAKLAND 94602 1 001 ALAMEDA HOSPITAL 2070 CLINTON AVE ALAMEDA 94501 1 002 ALTA BATES HOSPITAL AT ALBANY 1247 MARIN AVENUE ALBANY 94706 found this on youtube shows the Oakwood Hospital derelict and now as apartment. 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. But there was in fact another similar establishment in the county which holds its very own tragic story. --Dover Undergroundhttp://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/john.vaughanICQ 158045463, ---Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).Version: 6.0.381 / Virus Database: 214 - Release Date: 02/08/02, "Nick Catford"