The Mount Hospital in Bishopstoke closed a few years back in a clamour of local annoyance following years of campaigning to keep it open. It was a popular smaller hospital which mostly focused on rehabilitation for elderly patients but had various other outpatients’ departments.
The history of the site is interesting too. It started as smallish private estate with the first house built by a wealthy farmer in 1844. It was later bought by a Captain Hargreaves in the 1870s. When he died it was bought by a Mr Cotton who rebuilt it in 1893. His imposing Victorian mansion replete with impressive tower forms the heart of the site. It originally had impressive gardens too suitable for a house of its standing with an arboretum, formal gardens and a Victorian water garden. In 1927 it was sold to Hampshire County Council who converted it into a hospital reusing the original Victorian house, as well as building a range of other buildings including another impressive art deco-ish ward building. It was only when I saw the front of that other ward building that its purpose screamed out at me … massive opening windows are immediate tell tales of a TB sanatorium and I’ve since confirmed that this was the original purpose.
Overall I’m absolutely shocked by the state the site and mansion which is locally listed (but sadly does not have a statutory listing) has been allowed to fall into and so I’m currently in communication with appropriate parties to try and ensure that necessary attention is paid.