Sandhill Park Hospital, nr Taunton, Somerset
An early morning start saw us heading out towards Taunton to explore Sandhill Hospital. Opened in 1919 as a care facility for girls and then in 1925 as a hospital for mentally retarded children, there’s widespread belief amongst ‘ghost hunters’ that Sandhill is haunted. Codswallop.
The military took over in 1940 and for a few years it was leased to the American government. 1990 saw the land sold off by the NHS and Sandhill had a few reincarnations before finally laying derelict. Now gutted by fire in a recent arson attack, it’s a shame to lose another beautiful building.
We started in the outbuildings. Completely demolished by thieves and bone idol kids. Our priority was to explore the main house. Not many had found a way in and it was looking like our trip would be fruitless too, when we found a small window that we could all squeeze through.
We made our way to the staircase and went to the attic. It’s always been a kind of unwritten rule that we explore places from top to bottom, weird but true and on this particular explore, extremely handy! All the interesting rooms and paperwork left behind was in the upper rooms of the large house.
After sorting through the piles of abandoned paperwork and interesting bits & bobs left behind we ventured downstairs. The ground floor of the main house has some grand features and lovely high ceilings, unfortunately for us, an alarm system was still in place and within a few minutes we were being turfed out by security.
All in all we spent a good few hours in the house, however only a hand-full of photographs to show for it!
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In 1974 I was sent to Brooklands Remand Home in Langport and once a week, some of the older sensible boys would board the minibus and travel to Sandhill Park to spend the day there helping to take the physically/mentally handicapped children swimming in their on-site pool. Was always a very challenging day but also very rewarding. Long ago memories of my childhood that I will never forget.
Hi Kevin.
I was in Brooklands from September 1973 to February 1974, all through Christmas and New Year.
I remember going to the handicapped school to help and comfort the children also, swimming in the pool holding them and seeing them so happy. And also if I mind right the pony rides?
Long time ago and it did stick in my memories all this time, 50 years! ? 65 now.
Is Brooklands remand home an abandoned place still able to access today?
Brooklands remand home is still accessible although it has been converted into luxury flats. The main house is still as it was in the 70s when I was sent there. I have many photos of the house as it is today as I visit there every month and can forward some to you if you contact me at bulldog90@outlook.com. Also if you look up Langport and District History Society website you can find my memoirs of Brooklands in the family history section under Sherwood which also includes recent photos. Kevin Sherwood
Does this place still exist?
Hi my names Steph,
Is Sandhill still like this or has it been taken over by new buildings? Was thinking of going to take pictures for a project.
Thanks
It was burnt down by a moron
What, so is there nothing to explore anymore? Or has just part of it been burnt?
No it’s houses now if I’m correct. There was some buildings left because he set fire to the main building only but I think they just knocked them down and built on them. The same with Barrow Gurney.
It’s all houses now. I’ve explored that place as a teenager, so many locals have seen the same few ghosts there, there was padded cell rooms, a lot to explore minus the main house as if seculars access problems man I could tell you some spooky stories from personal experiences and from friends. We all knew it as a mental hospital. Along with tone vale just down the road in the later 1900’s.
I can also SWEAR DOWN I’ve seen the exmoor beast there; a black panther.
Bone idol kids? With a rebel yell? ?
It’s all houses now. I’ve explored that place as a teenager, so many locals have seen the same few ghosts there. There was padded cell rooms, a lot to explore minus the main house as if seculars access problems man I could tell you some spooky stories from personal experiences and from friends. We all knew it as a mental hospital. Along with tone vale just down the road in the later 1900’s.
I can also SWEAR DOWN I’ve seen the Exmoor beast there; a black panther.
Still there, fences and security there.
I grew up on a farm next to this mansion and would camp out in the woods when I was about 12 years old right near it. My grandma used to work there when it was a hospital. And no, there’s nothing to explore now as it has been converted to luxury flats.
My older brother was a resident at the Hospital in the 70’s and 80’s.
There was a large American-built air raid shelter outside his ward, which rumour had it, had contained some US military motorbikes which were retrieved, in excellent condition, in the 70’s.
Even when it was fully working and busy there were parts of it that felt abandoned and disconnected. There used to be a group of single storey wards that I can’t recall if they were brick built or proper Nissen blocks, linked by covered walkways. There was also a swimming pool, chapel and cricket pavilion.
I seem to recall Somerset Health Authority used to store their surplus ambulances there too, though I was quite small at the time and had quite a vivid imagination.
More than anything else it had the best conker trees in Somerset and no one else picked them up!
The single storey wards were called Coleshill units named after Coleshill hospital where they were first developed.
My 16 year old son has got a hobby of visiting abandoned buildings I am asking permission to visit with him and we respect the property inside and out thank you.
Could you give a more detailed description of the bunkers location, I’d love to find it if possible.
Cheers
I’m not sure exactly, I was only a kid myself at the time (we’re talking 40+ years ago). My brother was in Clark ward and later a ward which was opposite the ‘school building’ which was also opposite the large stately home.
The road that led to the other principle wards and school ran in front of it and the air-raid shelter/bunker was between that ward and the road.
Sorry I can’t be more specific.
The bunkers as described were shelters which are all gone now. I lived in the school house there we lived on site from ’63 until ’87 I think, my parents lived there. The wards nearby were Fry, Ackland, Clarke, Reed, Blackdown, Brendon, Calway, Farrent, Newman.
Well I imagine Clarke Ward is named after my family who lived around the estate on a farm and also worked there.
Just been to visit this site. It’s now being restored and is unrecognisable inside. It’s been cleared out and scaffolding has replaced the floors. Still interesting but definitely not as cool as it looks in the pics. There’s graffiti everywhere and it’s littered with water bottles and energy drink cans left by the builders.
I live around the Bristol area. Anyone got any cool sites that are still open to discover? Sept 2016
Hi, I’m heading to Devon on holiday in August, can anyone suggest some sites?
Thanks
Sam
Hello, I’d like to go take some photos there, does anyone know if it is still accessible?
Hi, we went today to look, sadly it’s got a massive green gate all around. There is security & dogs on site too :( You know of any others? :)
Visited today and this place is almost completely demolished worth a trip if you want to buy a new house though good job there’s lots of other places in the area still standing
What places? I need new places to check out in the area.
Hi,
Is there any update on Sandhill Hospital? I’m thinking about visiting but don’t want to drive up if there’s nothing to be seen?
You’ll find that happens a lot in this hobby! Your best bet is to have a few “plan B” sites in the area just in case.
Will get looking for some other places in the area, thanks for the advice! :)
Look at the picture with the hallway and look at the face in the doorway. I’ve been there, went through the side building and after coming back out with friends I see a figure in the window. I think that picture has just confirmed it for me haha
Kieran, I can’t see any faces at all in the first photo?
Hi can you still visit this place?
I went there today and it isn’t accessible anymore as it’s under construction now, such a shame really as it’s a beautiful building. Managed to get a few pics.
The second photo of the hallway, look directly at the blacked out door at the end and it looks like a face (head hight)
Hello,
My friends and I are really wanting to explore this place, the pictures/comments look and sound really cool.
Unfortunately we cannot actually find the place, please could anyone give me directions on how to get there?
Many Thanks!
I have the feeling that the exterior of this was filmed for the second season of Utopia. Just an observation. Great site. Loads of useful info for a newbie.
Thinking about going here next weekend, anyone know if it’s still up and accessible?
Me and friend are checking it out ******, so we will see, I heard that apparently the security is crazy high since the fire, but I’m not sure, I’ll let you know.
Best not announce your arrival to the “crazy high” security, eh! Good luck, and please let us know how you get on.
Anyone know if this place is still worth visiting? Thanks in advance folks.
Okay me and my friend visited this place *****, it was amazing! Only thing is we were at the far left of the main building, second floor. I was second along the hall and the floor collapsed, I was left hanging from a door frame :( My friend was trapped in the last room with no way out!!!
I managed to pull myself up get back out and find a ladder and free my friend which took best part of an hour. ***** I have been home about 10mins after driving from Sandhill Hospital… even though its SUPER DANGEROUS I think it’s definitely worth a look but just tread careful as the floors are really bad and they’re building around the place but there’s still a lot there. Found this site last night and I’m looking forward to my next adventure.
Censored a few details there to protect you from authorities – but thanks for the update on Sandhill. Any photos?
It’s so annoying that all these amazing places are not allowed to be accessed by people who just want to appreciate its beauty! It annoys me so much.
They should stop demolishing them until they physically cannot stand anymore! If people want to explore these places they should be allowed and the people who do tend to have common sense so it’s much safer for them. Jeeesh sorry had to get that out.
…and I meant accessed not accused
I know. I try my best to vet all comments and edit spelling mistakes etc. accordingly.
Haha I think it was just my anger making me type so fast and auto-correct, but I’m just so annoyed, I love exploring places like this I study photography at uni so it’s perfect for me but no, every place seems to just get knocked down to build more council flats or something.
You can get in there now I’ve been loads in the last few months. There isn’t security there anymore but it’s all being renevated into flats so make the most of it whilst you can x
Hi there – I got in Sandhill yesterday and have a lot of pictures – how do I add them please?
We were very lucky to get in and do NOT advise it unless you are extremely careful. The whole place is being held up and together by scaffolding!
The only bit we couldn’t access was the ‘orangery’ type bit and the stables.
It has been severely damaged by fire and weather – it is now covered in plastic sheeting – but is by no means safe.
There is onsite security and evidence that builders are working there (possibly in the grounds rather than in the building).
Anyway – what an exciting time we had! Alas it is not haunted……
I’m afraid there’s no facility for adding your own photos here. But please feel free to link to wherever you decide to upload them.
Not haunted!? I’ve had some very weird stuff happen there
Worked there in the 70s and lived in the mansion for a while – definitely haunted. That is – in the mansion and various other buildings and down the front drive.
What makes it “definitely haunted”, Dee? I’m intrigued.
Yes, definitely haunted. Saw and heard various things as did many colleagues. No one would tell you about these things until you told them what you had experienced, then they would confirm that others had experienced the same or similar.
Hey, I was wondering if this place is still there and the exact location so I could go take some cool photos?
Yes it’s still there been up very recently
My Grandparents used to live in one of the many bungalows/houses many years ago when Sandhill was a hospital. Wondered if anyone has old photos of these places?
This is very strange for me, my mother and my grandfather before he retired and later passed away both worked at Sandhill park. I remember learning to write my number 7 just as it is on the board with the line through it from my grandad which makes me wonder if he wrote the board menu itself. It’s nice to wonder. Also my mum used to tell me story’s of an old ghost she called mr leftbridge who was heard riding his horse down the stairs. Not sure if it was true to be honest or if she was just trying to freak me out.
That’s really nice! And I honestly hope the handwriting on the menu board is that of your Grandad!
There’s all sorts of ghost stories from Sandhill – apparently it’s one of the most haunted places in the UK?! Can’t say I believe in any of it to be honest!
Heard the horse on the stairs when I lived in the mansion, saw vague outline of white/green light. The air felt electric, but was not scary after the initial realisation, felt like it was in its right place.
Definite No No
If not only for the waste of time finding it and paying for the petrol to get there.
Its being done up – loads of scaffolding everywhere, loads of security fences and CCTV cameras.
Really its not even going down there for a look.
:(
That’s a shame, thanks for the info Andy
I know, It took me two goes to find it in the first place.
With Barrow now gone (well I assume) I’m now devoid of any locations around Bristol/Somerset to go and have a wander.
Any suggestions much appreciated :)
Take a look at my Somerset category, there’s a couple in there definitely worth a look. Especially Tone Works
Hello, just an update for people, Sandhill Hospital is still easy to drive right up to, it’s covered in scaffolding and mostly looks boarded up, there are still ways in though, there’s no roof and it’s covered in plastic to keep it as dry as possible after the fire which gutted it severely, there’s new houses that have been built at the back behind a walled garden and parts of the grounds look like a building site.
There are however still some things to see, and BTW that blackboard with the menu is still there although a little more faded, and just so others know Tonedale is still there but a security guard soon appears because of CCTV cameras.
I’m always on the look out for intresting places if anybody wants to tell me of anything in Somerset please do.
Dave
I used to work at Sandhill, mainly on Clerks. I ran a Sunday school there and used to build model aircraft and fly them for the children in the fields. Many wonderful memories. I have a glove puppet that Miss Short gave me one day.
Been up there today in broad daylight. There is a fence surrounding the main building, but got through. The interior of the main house is well dangerous, the main stairs are near to collapse, but gingerly walked up them. You can’t get much further than the first floor as most ceilings have collapsed due to fire damage. I was trying to find the basement if it’s actually under the main building? But couldn’t find it. Most windows are boarded over, so even in daylight it’s pitch black in places inside.
Hi James,
From what I can remember the entrance to the basement was on the left side of the main building as you’re looking at the entrance.
Did you take any photos? It’d be good to see how much it’s changed since I was there
Right side of building under the big groundfloor windows there used to be a railed area that led down to the boiler room I think.
Visited this site a couple of months ago, took some fantastic pics of the out building although due to being scared off by the “sound” of guard dogs (which it has signs up for) we left before getting into the main house.
We intend to return soon and ensure we do get into the main house for a real explore.
My partner is a security guard ironically and therefore may be able to ensure we don’t trigger any alarms or whatever.
We were able to get through the iron work and metal gates, it is so run down on one side we would have been able to just enter the house via a broken doorway.
If you’d like to see the interesting pics we did get please let me know and let me know how x
Hi Daisy,
Yeh it’d be good to see what kind of state the place is in now! Especially after the fire.
Do you know if Sandhill park hospital is still derelict? I keep searching for places local to me and it seems like a lot of these gems are being renovated and i’d hate to get out there only to find its no longer the untouched treasure it was in these photos. It will be my first explore and, because i’m sick of waiting to find people, i’ll be going alone. Anything dangerous i need to watch out for by chance?
Hi there,
Sandhill was a victim of fire (as mentioned in my report) and by all accounts I think was a fairly nasty one!
I’d hazard a guess that anything of any interest was lost. I’ve not seen any reports from here post-fire.
If you’re from the Taunton area there’s not a lot you’re right (unless you can travel a little further afield, then there’s plenty up the road in and around Bristol). But I love to be proven wrong with these things. Just get out and explore :)
If you need any help just drop me an email
Can you show me pics please the one you said look closely as am working outside doing gas work thanks
Hi Steve,
Not sure what you mean? Did you mean to comment on this particular report from Sandhill Hospital?
I drove close to it, it still looks derelict. Will have to check it out. Not sure what the security is like but its surrounded by big open fields.
Hi Oli,
Thanks for the update. I don’t think security is a big issue here. You’re right, there’s wide open fields surrounding the site to which you walk straight on to (or at least you could when I was last there)
The only way to find out for sure is to just get out there and explore!
Whats up whit boobytraping everything? here in Norway, I haven´t encountered a single one, yet. We don´t have that many exciting locations though, you got to search a while to find them, and they are usually spread all over the country. But that just makes them even more exiting to discover, and they are often more or less untouched.
Love your photos man, I got to go to UK for some exploring.
Thanks for the comment :) We do seem to have an abundance of derelict places here in the UK! Although it’d make our hobby a lot harder if there wasn’t!
Some truly brilliant photos you’ve got here. I’ve spent the last hour or so looking at your site and you’ve stumbled across some fantastic explores!
Any location scouting tips for a newbie?
Locals are always a good place to start. A grandparent, or parent will often recall places long forgotten from modern developments or nature taking over!
Google is your friend too. As is Google Earth/Maps.
Join a forum, like 28DL and get exploring!