West Park Hospital 11th
London County Mental Hospital
West Park's plan marks a transitional stage between the échelon plan (ward blocks symmetrically ranged on either side of a central services block connected by long corridors) and the colony plan (dispersed ward blocks without a connecting corridor) seen at nearby St. Ebba's, (also designed by Clifford-Smith). This means that there are a number of outlying villas around the edges of the site, which covers approximately 133 acres.
If urban exploration is a subculture, then West Park is surely a subcultural phenomenon. Explorers of all sorts come with cameras, costumes and props to film and photograph every inch of the place. There are less savoury elements as well: on my second visit, I happened upon two men who, unpeturbed by my appearance on the scene, appeared to be trying to break down a door by throwing themselves against it repeatedly. Not sure of their intentions (vandalism and arson are rife) and fearing trouble, I left them and moved on. Since Halloween 2009 when vandals busted open doors and windows in the night and caused extensive damage to buildings and property, security has been tightened, entrances have been closed and explorers are less common.
