The Inside

what a cool collection of rectangular shapes on the same wall :) cool stuff. is that a shutter?-it's like a door for the window.

Are these shutters all over British buildings? They're so odd. I want windows like that...

Great shot, especially in the black and white.

If you find some, could i have a few too:D

Great pic, i wounder if thats the door to Never Land

The fabled gloom of the door to nowhere?

Never Land

Doesnt Michael Own That Place :-p

Mebbe that's why it's so scary looking. =8-o

my friends locked me on one of them for a laugh...and i actually managed to hurt myself on the radiator guard by accident...i dont think they were that effective for those who intend to hurt themselves. this picture really captures the misery though.

Very odd....Motts, what floor was this on? The door on the right looks almost like a doorway that was blocked off, and filled in.
And, why are the walls dirtier from about a step down under the door, all the way around, on up, and cleaner below?? It also looks like someone attempted to clean that black stuff right about up to that point on the wall....??? ODD...

I don't think that's dirt, Tony; I think it's a shadow. Looks to me like there's another source of light behind Motts as he's taking the picture, another window or something.

That shutter on the window and the frame it fits into when the window is more open is just C-R-E-E-P-Y!

That little vent to the left of it is even stranger!

there's those creepy window eyes again, like in the previous gallery!

well gee is'nt this roomey??

looks like something out of Alice in Wonderland

The 'door' is not a door; it's a shutter. It could be left open during the day time to allow light in and closed at night. Alternatively it could be locked shut at any time if there was any thought that a patient may try and injure themselves. Or as punishment of course. (And no, you don't get these on all British windows.)

I feel like I'm in a scene from "Honey I Shrunk the Kids"...I know its the window, but its just such an awesome shot!

Nice job Motts...As always!

:-)

i was there 3 days ago and although it really makes you think, it's not at all creepy really.

can't wait to go back!

you idiots, that is obviously a solitary confinement room...sick

very similar to the majority of the rooms at Sunnyside lunatic asylum in Christchurch NZ. Humans desearve better treatment. that tiny space is ridiculous, ofcourse they'll go mad!

grim

did yu exchange your walk on part in the war
for a lead role in a cage?

Paul B - Nice Pink Floyd reference. Again :-)

I had a dream about this place... I was forgotten.

I'm scratching my head for a comment.....eh...well, I wish they had grates like those over the radiators in my highschool, getting burned by those suck..... that's all I suppose, nice pic Motts as always.............

Is it sick that this picture makes me giddy? I love the shutter, it looks like a mini-door. I don't know why, but, this picture makes me smile, and laugh a little inside. And to clarify, it's NOT because it was a seclusion room, it has EVERYTHING to do with the shutters. I love it.

*again, anyone seen my meds?*

My mum worked in the laundrette that was on the Severells site, not all of it was/is closed I don't think?

My friends used to come in here all the time, but I was too scared of getting caught so hung out outside, ha. Nice to see the inside though. I remember one time lots of my chums ventured in there... then got caught and all came running down the street past me, at least I could pretend not to know a thing... =D

I can't remember what they've done with it now, don't often need to go up that way when I am home!

Huh, what a lovely summer home that would make, eh what?

being locked in there seems a good way to MAKE someone crazy rather than help anything!

well i must i want to get in there i hope there are people planning a visit here in colchester!!!

It looks like there is blood seeping out of that vent 0.o... cool C8

i am planning a visit anyone down ?

Nahh you dnt wanna go there Sy Maggies is much beta :-P
it is 100% haunted i have taken pictures and figuers have appeared they look like they use to work in the old asylums they are wearing black dresses with masks demonds live in the tunnles big stars drawn onto ceilings objects get thrown at you and whimpers that sound like they are coming from an old man 100% spooky XD

where is this place ? have you been severalls

no, just once.

Ha!

who wants to meet up and go in ?

Unfortunatly you cannot enter this hospital site anymore, it is guarded 24/7. This is the way how a mental helth hospital USED to look. things have developed greatly since then. But when you have an agressive, violent and abusive patient, do you really think sticking them in a room that resembles a nice cosy hotel room would benefit them. The patients would have only been kept there until they were no longer a danger with full supervision from trained staff. The room is empty because if you have a self harmer or someone intent on causing harm to others, then any object will become a weapon. It is a plain room that was only intented for short term use. If you still think this is sick and lacks dignity then please put yourselves in to my shoes, I regurlarly have patients running towards me, trying to hit me, bite me scratch me and kick me, if not me then to the other patients. It is scary for any person on the receiving end of this, and they are put in seclusion to calm them down and stop them from attacking others and being a danger to themselves. Their mental illnesses causes them to act differently and with lack of insight, in their own mind they would probably be appalled at their actions, it is very sad to see someone deteriate in this manner, but we do the best we can. The seclusion room is no different from sending a disobedient child to the naughty step or corner. Back when this hospital was built, things would have been very shocking, these days we have better procedures for dealing with mental health. When a patient brandishes a knife with the intent to stab, then unfortunatly dignity goes out of the window and you have to protect yourselves, staff and patients.

I dont remember any acts of violence towards staff or patients during the seventies when I was a patient here locked up because I was not doing what I was told. I think if you confined any human being to a ward for twenty four hours a day acts of minor aggression would occur with the most normal of people. I do know that patients "went in the box " if they were deemed to be difficult and drugged up to the eyeball to pacify them when they came out.

Have you ever looked at what went on in there, and thought this doesn't seem right? Why were these patients lashing out were they being ignored when they needed something. Your so stupid that you belong in a place like this. All you cared about was your paycheck not once did you quit if you seriously felt your life was in danger. You are the cause of these people living in misery their torment is forever on your hands.