Google Earth 3D view of the south-western end of the site (the original Victorian section) which looks quite different now works have begun.
THE HISTORY
St. Ann’s was originally built by the Metropolitan Asylums Board as the North Eastern Fever Hospital when it opened in 1829, treating patients of fever and diptheria. The admin block was constructed from 1898 and the laundry added a year later. Before lurkers start plastering ‘asylum’ around, no it was not a mental hospital, the word simply meaning ‘place of sanctuary’ without the ‘lunatic’ designation attached. When the Metropolitan Asylums Board ceased in 1929, it was taken over by London County Council, before joining the NHS in 1948. It was renamed St. Ann’s General Hospital in 1951. More recently, it came under Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust in 2001. Recently, works have begun on demolishing the disused end of the hospital site, for construction of none other than homes by Peabody. This is set to convert a few Victorian buildings, although most will likely go.
This 1901 plan of the hospital shows its layout. The three surviving original blocks were the Diphtheria and Enteric Blocks, which we got into the south-western two of but not the one beyond. The other block which existed on the north side of the outdoor corridor was demolished, as were the two smaller isolation blocks either side of it. The laundry still existed but we didn’t make it inside, keen to avoid passing sensors and cameras. The administrative block also had been sadly mostly demolished, including what appeared to have been a central hall, although the front end of the admin block did survive and was very original in places albeit mostly stripped. The plan shows the eastern end (left-hand side) to have originally been a temporary scarlet fever facility, I’d assume of wooden huts demolished soon after. This was replaced by the current hospital which appears to have been built somewhere in the 1930s-1950s sort of period; of which the western end is disused, but the rest still active.
Further good information on the hospital on this website: The MAB North Eastern Hospital, Tottenham
THE EXPLORE
Back last year, or maybe it was 2022, @KismetJ sent over this hospital to me. It was clearly partially disused to some degree, and of classic old Victorian hospital design. We took our time to get to it in the end, and sadly struck just a little too late. We first took a look at the site in January, identifying our method of entry as the sun was setting. We then returned recently to get the job done with @KPUrban_. We had no idea if the buildings themselves would be accessible or what we’d see, as it hasn’t been reported before except for the mortuary at the opposite active end. After making it in via our intended entry point, we were greeted with several perimeter defences including motion sensors and cameras. Skirting around them, we finally reached the first ward block in the far corner after walking through the obscenely muddy building site.
The water tower
The outdoor corridor, with the demo sites of the fourth d&e block and two isolation blocks left.
The two far diphtheria and enteric (typhoid) blocks we accessed. Two very Victorian diseases.
We were excited to be inside, but it was fairly well stripped, with signs of works and bagged up parquet flooring. Having said that, it was somewhat fairly original looking. The designs of these blocks was pretty simple, with a single open dorm at the end of each floor and smaller rooms in front.
The ground floor dormitory
The staircases left of the entrances were probably the best bit, and gladly a little asylum-esque.
Cheeky staircase panorama. Loved the stone steps.
The second floor dormitory
@mockney reject sent me this picture of what looks like the same room c.2020 prior to being stripped. Gutted we left it just a bit too late.
The second block along was in a similar state, also stripped. It turned out to be heavily modernised which was a bit of a disappointment.
Lift extension.
Overlooking the third easternmost block - we found this sealed.
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. The old girl™ has gone downhill™ a bit over the last four years !
Someone has taken a lot of time to save all that Paquet.
