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Cane Hill, Steps to the Airing Courts
The main difference between the landscape park and the asylum estate was the presence next to the asylum building of enclosed exercise yards, or airing courts, which replaced the typical Victorian formal terrace which surrounded so many country houses. Male and female patients were, as always, segregated, and for each sex there were several airing courts allocated to different medical classes of patients. The airing courts were laid out ornamentally, usually to enhance a pleasant, elevated view out which was perceived to calm and cheer the patients, and contained benches and shelters, and perhaps privies. From 1950s the airing courts were often opened up by the removal of boundaries, in order to provide a less confined atmosphere for patients.
© Copyright Catherine Stephenson ©
If you would like to Purchase or Use this image then please go to my profile for more details
Cane Hill was the Third Surrey County Pauper Lunatic Asylum, necessitated after the Springfield (1842) and Brookwood (1862) asylums were filled to capacity. Surrey Council (charged with the provision of care for the insane under the 1845 asylum act) therefore re-employed the architect of Brookwood, Charles Henry Howell, to design and build the new asylum, which would be sited on a hilltop overlooking Coulsdon and the Farthing Downs.
By this time Howell was the principle asylum architect in England and an advisor for the Commission of Lunacy. Cane Hill was therefore designed by a master architect, built to high standards and became a show piece and the largest building of its type in the UK.
The asylum was completed in 1882 and represented the final say in “radiating ward asylums” – the pavilion blocks comprising the wards were linked to an internal horseshoe shaped corridor. The hospital was divided into female and male halves, the vertical symmetry being cut along its centre by the administration block, a Chapel, a large recreation and dining hall, kitchens, stores and laundry (with drying grounds at the back of the structure). A large water tower provided the necessary pressure for a building of its immensity, around which were clustered stores, maintenance and ancillary buildings.
PLEASE NOTE:
The information above is taken from the excellent Cane Hill Project which has been researched and designed by Simon Cornwell. Go to his site for more information. www.simoncornwell.com+cain hill
ALSO:
Entry to the site was lawfully gained and the sites health and safety rules were followed.
Built in 1882 it closed in 1997 and now in 2009 being demolished. The perimeter is secured by a fence and security gaurds so the pictures have been taken from ouside the fence. By looking on You Tube you will be able to see photographs taken by others of the inside of this huge amalamation of buildings.
Cane Hill, Steps to the Airing Courts
The main difference between the landscape park and the asylum estate was the presence next to the asylum building of enclosed exercise yards, or airing courts, which replaced the typical Victorian formal terrace which surrounded so many country houses. Male and female patients were, as always, segregated, and for each sex there were several airing courts allocated to different medical classes of patients. The airing courts were laid out ornamentally, usually to enhance a pleasant, elevated view out which was perceived to calm and cheer the patients, and contained benches and shelters, and perhaps privies. From 1950s the airing courts were often opened up by the removal of boundaries, in order to provide a less confined atmosphere for patients.
© Copyright Catherine Stephenson ©
If you would like to Purchase or Use this image then please go to my profile for more details
Cane Hill was the Third Surrey County Pauper Lunatic Asylum, necessitated after the Springfield (1842) and Brookwood (1862) asylums were filled to capacity. Surrey Council (charged with the provision of care for the insane under the 1845 asylum act) therefore re-employed the architect of Brookwood, Charles Henry Howell, to design and build the new asylum, which would be sited on a hilltop overlooking Coulsdon and the Farthing Downs.
By this time Howell was the principle asylum architect in England and an advisor for the Commission of Lunacy. Cane Hill was therefore designed by a master architect, built to high standards and became a show piece and the largest building of its type in the UK.
The asylum was completed in 1882 and represented the final say in “radiating ward asylums” – the pavilion blocks comprising the wards were linked to an internal horseshoe shaped corridor. The hospital was divided into female and male halves, the vertical symmetry being cut along its centre by the administration block, a Chapel, a large recreation and dining hall, kitchens, stores and laundry (with drying grounds at the back of the structure). A large water tower provided the necessary pressure for a building of its immensity, around which were clustered stores, maintenance and ancillary buildings.
PLEASE NOTE:
The information above is taken from the excellent Cane Hill Project which has been researched and designed by Simon Cornwell. Go to his site for more information. www.simoncornwell.com+cain hill
ALSO:
Entry to the site was lawfully gained and the sites health and safety rules were followed.
Built in 1882 it closed in 1997 and now in 2009 being demolished. The perimeter is secured by a fence and security gaurds so the pictures have been taken from ouside the fence. By looking on You Tube you will be able to see photographs taken by others of the inside of this huge amalamation of buildings.