This is a small building on the outskirts of the complex. It's right next to the
street, and the only one that's not surrounded by mesh fencing and razorwire. I'm
not sure what it was for, but it was probably just a gatehouse or security building.
The date 1882 is clearly visible above the entrance.
This is the North-facing frontage of the building, set back about 50 yards from the road but still
clearly visible to passing traffic. As you can see, it's pretty big.
A long shot from the roadside. Sorry about the darkness of this picture. The complex
goes on quite a lot to the right of the picture.
Looking West, this is the best shot I could get of the front of the East wing. This
little road runs all the way down the front of the building. You can clearly see the
tower from the previous picture peeping up from behind the roof.
This is the back of the East wing. As you can see, some modern development has gone on here before
the place was closed in the mid-90s. This access road is also a little disused.
Following the road a little, I'm met with signs that read "ASBESTOS: DO NOT ENTER",
and "DO NOT ENTER: DANGEROUS SITE". You got it. I'm staying
firmly on this side of the barbed wire. There used to be an entrance to the complex
here on the east wing, but now all of the tarmac has been consumed by plantlife. This
shot is from the East side of the complex, looking directly West towards the centre.
Overgrowth is quickly swallowing this road up. Nature
has already reclaimed half of it, with only the "W" from the "SLOW" warning remaining
This shot is taken facing Northwest from the south side of the complex (use the big tower
from the second picture for reference, you can just see it poking up behind that tree).
Although the fence looks rickety, there's some stronger wire fencing behind it and
razorwire on top. There's a prison just next to this complex (what a delightful
area) so I doubt razorwire is in short supply in Stafford.
Big gates protect the South entrance a little further down the road. To the right of
this picture there were a few smashed up greenhouses. It looks like the plants did
a little too well.
OK, much too well. The access road behind the gates is totally overgrown,
although a hint of a road covered in moss still remains. Sooner or later this will
be devoured as well. This is what around 10 years of neglect can do. Logan's Run
didn't even get close.
The South of the complex. This is a view of the opposite side of the building to
that shown in the second picture. Some artful types have managed to get in and
scrawl graffiti on the walls above that majestic entrance by standing on the balcony
above it.
This shot was taken from the far East of the complex to attempt to give some
impression of the scale of the place. It didn't work, but this is probably some of
the best free parking space within walking distance of Stafford town centre.
This is one Quality Dry Cleaning Shop that will never open again. The buildings
in the foreground are part of a disused cleaning company. I guess it helps to have
a dry cleaner next to a lunatic asylum... This one is taken from the West side of
the building, looking roughly East.
Completing our tour, another shot of the West side of the building, looking East.
This one is taken from just a little to the West of where the picture of the
frontage was taken. The ramp on the right leads to some sort of loading bay for
the old cleaning company. The bay doors hang wide open.