Abandoned Places

Last weekend I decided to investigate an abandoned service station I pass every day on my way to work. I love abandoned things - the gradual encroaching of nature, the inane acts of vandalism, the air of melancholy that hangs over a place that used to be full of activity and purpose all utterly fascinate me.



One of the most surreal aspects of this place was the things people had chosen to dump there. As well as an odd assortment of childrens toys, there were plant pots, a suitcase and a bath?!



I thought that place was pretty amazing and didn't think I'd be able to top it - I was wrong. A quick bit of research online pointed me in the direction of St Crispin county asylum, a massive complex that was just down the road from me, yet somehow I'd never known it was there. It was opened in 1876 and closed in 1995 after a gradual process of transferring the functions of the hospital to other facilities. It's currently undergoing renovation into what looks to be office units.



Some extra pics are on my Flickr.