Obviously we all know the history on this place so I wont put much, The Haslar site was bought in 1745. It is a glorious 55-acre site overlooking the mouth of Portsmouth harbour, and it became the first purpose-built hospital for the Royal Navy. It was opened in 1754 and took some 1,800 patients. Its distinctive high walls were there to prevent the patients from escaping should they wish to do so, having been press-ganged into the Navy initially. It is historically very interesting. The expression "up the creek" refers to Haslar creek, which is not a good place to be. It was for years the main home of the Royal Naval Medical Service, but following changes it eventually became the only military hospital in the United Kingdom, and was renamed the Royal Hospital Haslar. That was the position on 10 December 1998. On that date, the Government announced they were proposing that the military forces withdraw from Haslar, and it was stated that the hospital would close in about two years. In fact, some 10 years later the Royal Hospital Haslar [was] still there.
The Explore
Visited earlier this year. Decided after seeing the padded cell we would return and take a look for ourselves. Did not anticipate for a second what was lying in wait! Went with no one off here.
We got there in darkness around 6am, got in and decided to make our way to the main building, doing this on our route meant that we had to bypass Security. We saw no one, excellent. Made our way round keeping close to the buildings. As we approached the Mortuary we tried the door, unlocked! We got in and couldn’t believe it. After the recent hype we thought we were being lured in but no. The Mortuary was awesome, completely untouched and clean. Blew me away as mortuary’s are my thing!
After that we made our way to the Main building, again unlocked! Got some shots of the sunrise on the roof and after exploring the main building constantly looking over our shoulders then headed to the Psychiatric Unit. I walked in the door literally and was confronted by a woman with a clipboard who asked me what I was doing. I was a bit stunned and the only thing I could say was “documenting the hospital photographically” she explained that she was one of the assessors who were in the grounds today. I just stood there thinking shit, this is it! I’m out now, she is going to ring security and we will all be busted! She told me to get some pictures of the lovely big rooms in the Psychiatric Unit as they let beautiful light in. Shocked to say the least. Of course now it was beginning to make sense as to why the buildings were not secured. Officers mess was next, then the Squash courts which we had no idea about until we walked in the door, then the Laundry room, A tunnel leading under the road next door, then the Water tower. Yes, the water tower. There were a few buildings secured and I have no idea why unless they were not being redeveloped?
We saw no sign of Security all day, all in all 10 hours well spent and yes maybe the luck of the draw but seeing the unseen was well worth it, especially after all of the recent hype over that padded cell. Well, here is the Mortuary, Water Tower, Officers Mess, Squash Courts, Laundry room & Tunnel.
Had a real good day, Just call me Dora!
PS Sorry it's pic heavy, got a little excited! Tried to give you something new but there are a few of my faves in there too.
Inside the water tower
The Laundry Room
Out of the tunnel
Squash Court
Entrance to Officer's Mess
One of those 'lovely big rooms'
me!
Padded Cell
Rooftop
Rooftop
Gymnasium
Library
That stunning staircase
Window shot
Sunset
Mortuary Fridges
Mortuary
Fridge trays
More trays
Mortuary table
More table
More fridges
The Explore
Visited earlier this year. Decided after seeing the padded cell we would return and take a look for ourselves. Did not anticipate for a second what was lying in wait! Went with no one off here.
We got there in darkness around 6am, got in and decided to make our way to the main building, doing this on our route meant that we had to bypass Security. We saw no one, excellent. Made our way round keeping close to the buildings. As we approached the Mortuary we tried the door, unlocked! We got in and couldn’t believe it. After the recent hype we thought we were being lured in but no. The Mortuary was awesome, completely untouched and clean. Blew me away as mortuary’s are my thing!
After that we made our way to the Main building, again unlocked! Got some shots of the sunrise on the roof and after exploring the main building constantly looking over our shoulders then headed to the Psychiatric Unit. I walked in the door literally and was confronted by a woman with a clipboard who asked me what I was doing. I was a bit stunned and the only thing I could say was “documenting the hospital photographically” she explained that she was one of the assessors who were in the grounds today. I just stood there thinking shit, this is it! I’m out now, she is going to ring security and we will all be busted! She told me to get some pictures of the lovely big rooms in the Psychiatric Unit as they let beautiful light in. Shocked to say the least. Of course now it was beginning to make sense as to why the buildings were not secured. Officers mess was next, then the Squash courts which we had no idea about until we walked in the door, then the Laundry room, A tunnel leading under the road next door, then the Water tower. Yes, the water tower. There were a few buildings secured and I have no idea why unless they were not being redeveloped?
We saw no sign of Security all day, all in all 10 hours well spent and yes maybe the luck of the draw but seeing the unseen was well worth it, especially after all of the recent hype over that padded cell. Well, here is the Mortuary, Water Tower, Officers Mess, Squash Courts, Laundry room & Tunnel.
Had a real good day, Just call me Dora!
PS Sorry it's pic heavy, got a little excited! Tried to give you something new but there are a few of my faves in there too.
Inside the water tower
The Laundry Room
Out of the tunnel
Squash Court
Entrance to Officer's Mess
One of those 'lovely big rooms'
me!
Padded Cell
Rooftop
Rooftop
Gymnasium
Library
That stunning staircase
Window shot
Sunset
Mortuary Fridges
Mortuary
Fridge trays
More trays
Mortuary table
More table
More fridges
Last edited by a moderator:
