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In 2019, we began exploring the 100-
We quickly made our way beyond the security fencing and into the grounds before looking around for a way into the buildings. Initially, they all appeared to be completely sealed but as we took a closer look, we found a very small gap between wooden boards and like that we were in.
Little did we know at the time but hidden within the trees were remote CCTV cameras with a direct link to the contracted security company and within 30 minutes, we found ourselves playing cat and mouse as we escaped from deep inside Lansdowne Hospital.
Lansdowne Hospital…
Visit Date: April 2019
After initially gaining entry, our focus was not on taking photographs, but getting a general understanding of the layout and how much of the site we now had access to. This focus however would only prove to backfire against us as the next 30 minutes unfolded and we captured what we could.
As we crept around some of the most abandoned, decaying hallways we’ve ever seen within a recently closed hospital, we heard the banging of the steal gates at the front of the site. Peaking through a crack in the wooden structure, a security van was pulling in, as clear as day.
As the security team pulled in, parked up and began to search the grounds, we knew we had to find a safe exit point and return another time. We quickly headed to our entry point, squeezed through and darted across the ground, using the overgrowth to hide our presence… but with that, one of the team noticed remotely operated CCTV cameras hiding in the trees.
We darted for our exit and safely within the public area of Sanatorium Park before heading back to our vehicle.
We watched on in the distance as the security team searched every inch of the grounds
before leaving but a second attempt to bypass the cameras and get back onto the site
had them returning just as quick. Leaving once again, we began to study the ground
layouts, access points and developed a plan to get in fully un-
It was planned to return just 48 hours later…
The evening before our planned return was due, our editorial tip line went off, alerting us to the devastating news that Lansdowne Hospital was currently well ablaze and looked like it would be completely destroyed. We headed straight down with everything crossed that this information was wrong. Unfortunately though, it was far from it.
What wasn’t destroyed by the main fire, was destroyed by South Wales Fire & Rescue Service flooding the entire site in order to contain or extinguish the fire. As day light rose the next day, there was a heavy security presence on site with a security dog patrolling and more CCTV than you could shake a stick at making any visit, impossible.
You can see all of our images from this location within the gallery below. All of our images are available to purchase in both printed and digital format, for more information, please contact us.
Photograph Gallery…
Usage & Licensing Information…
All of the photographs and video footage contained within this location report are owned and copyrighted by Beyond The Lens Photography and are not permitted for use without our express, written permission.
If you would like to licence any of the content contained within this location report, or any other report on our website, please contact us to discuss your requirements.
Beyond The Lens Photography does not recommend that you attempt to imitate our work.
We were never going to post our photographs of this particular location, but after a second look, we’ve decided to share them in order to preserve the history we were able to capture.
Lansdowne Hospital was built in 1895 and was originally known as the City Isolation Hospital and later known as Cardiff Sanatorium. In its later years, it was mainly used for community health care services before being moved to more appropriate facilities.
The former doctors house was later used as the Health Visiting Service office before the site was sold to developers for around £2million. The site will shortly have more than 100 homes built on the historic grounds.
Copyright © 2012 -
All photographs and other media are owned by Beyond The Lens Photography
unless stated otherwise and must not be used for any purpose without prior written
consent.
Beyond The Lens Photography does not condone or encourage trespassing, breaking criminal law or unsafe behaviour. We will not be held responsible for any injuries or deaths that may occur as a result of imitating our work. We will not be held responsible for any damage caused by another person to an unsecured property we have visited, photographed and reported.
No criminal laws are broken by Beyond The Lens Photography. We do not force entry into buildings nor cause any damage.