Cane Hill Hospital

Cane Hill Hospital was a psychiatric hospital in Coulsdon in the London Borough of Croydon. The hospital was designed by architect Charles Henry Howell, whose other works include the Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford, and opened in 1883. It became one of the most famous mental health institutions in the United Kingdom. The hospital closed in 1991 and the majority of the buildings were demolished in 2008.

History

Cane Hill Hospital was the third Surrey County Pauper Lunatic Asylum, following the Springfield and Brookwood Hospital. The hospital was designed to accommodate 2,000 patients and was one of the largest institutions of its kind in Europe.

The hospital was built on a hilltop overlooking Coulsdon, which was chosen for its therapeutic qualities including fresh air and panoramic views. The hospital was designed in a High Victorian Gothic style and was arranged in a symmetrical layout with separate wards for male and female patients.

Notable Patients

Cane Hill Hospital has had several notable patients, including David Bowie's half-brother Terry Burns, and Charlie Chaplin's mother, Hannah Chaplin.

Closure and Demolition

The hospital was closed in 1991 as part of the Care in the Community policy which aimed to close large psychiatric institutions and integrate patients into the community. The majority of the buildings were left derelict and were demolished in 2008, despite campaigns to preserve them.

Legacy

The site of the former hospital is now a residential development known as Cane Hill Park. The chapel and administration buildings were the only structures to be preserved and have been incorporated into the new development.

See Also

• List of hospitals in England
• History of psychiatric institutions