It was like walking through a time capsule – everything was still there from when it closed down decades ago – patient files scattered around rooms filled with antique medical equipment.ĭr. I remember one time I explored an old psychiatric hospital that had shut down in the ’70s. Abandoned hospitals are some of the most interesting ones because they hold so much history within their walls. I’ve been exploring abandoned buildings for over 15 years now, and I’ve seen my fair share of creepy and fascinating places. Can you tell us about your experience exploring abandoned hospitals? Sarah Johnson, a sociologist specializing in the study of abandoned places and James Lee, a photographer who has documented several abandoned hospitals. Our panelists include John Smith, an experienced urban explorer Dr. To shed light on abandoned hospitals and their impact on urban exploration enthusiasts, we have gathered a group of experts to discuss this topic. These sites can be dangerous, but many thrill-seekers find them intriguing enough to take the risk. There are still many amazing buildings that are full of charm and character, but they are at great risk of disappearing forever, which weighs heavily on my heart.Abandoned hospitals, also known as urban exploration sites, offer a glimpse into the past and provide a unique experience for those who venture into their decaying walls. Sheffield has lost some magnificent pieces of architecture, as well as the history contained therein. These impressive places, once protected by the UE ethic of keeping names and locations out of the public domain, have been looted, vandalised and ultimately destroyed. The thoughtless sharing of place names and locations on social media, sometimes picked up by the national press, has had devastating results. Others have thankfully seen regeneration, but there are still too many that have become yet more trendy apartments. Shockingly, some locations have been burnt, plundered, trashed or simply left to deteriorate. The place is now frozen in time, yet the busy work lives of the many employees seem to somehow echo throughout. Sitting in this space is peaceful yet saddening, that a once thriving company and all of its skilled workforce are gone. The slowly decaying and hugely impressive building consists of many varied rooms, seemingly random in position and size, with many still containing traditional wooden cupboards, units and workspaces. My absolute favourite place was occupied from 1849 until it closed in 2003. I've often spent hours absorbing the stillness, just meandering through these spaces or sitting reflecting on what once happened within.Įach building is in its own unique state of decay and dereliction The smells you encounter are also quite intoxicating at times, like you get from old books and wooden toys. I've seen long-abandoned houses, schools, churches, factories, steelworks, hospitals and vast industrial areas, as well as some rather obscure places, each with its own beauty and fascinating history, often carrying the telltale signs of the people who once occupied them.Įach building is in its own unique state of decay and dereliction, with peeling paint, rusting metal and rotting wood which produce some of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen. More recently, the forgotten walls have been given new life by some of Sheffield's incredibly talented street artists, who provide a new and ever-changing experience for the urban explorer. At this time, there were only a handful of local people visiting them and there was little graffiti to be found. I started exploring the derelict buildings of Sheffield in 2011 and soon thereafter began photographing these incredible hidden spaces. Some spaces are used by substance abusers, so care should also be taken to avoid the many syringes that can be found on floors and surfaces. Rotting floorboards, collapsing roofs and unstable staircases can lead to injury or even death.ĭue to the inherent dangers of the decaying structures, explorers often wear dust masks to protect themselves against asbestos and dried bird faeces, which can cause a form of hypersensitivity pneumonitis. They haven't been maintained or inspected, sometimes for decades. By their nature, old abandoned buildings are unsafe. It should also be said that UE is an extremely dangerous pastime. The ethos of UE is extremely important, because although previously a purely civil offence, the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 created some circumstances in which trespass can be considered a crime. The standard code is, "Take only photographs, leave only footprints".
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