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We first stepped foot inside the former Southerndown Care Home 12 years ago and were amazed with the views looking across the coastal town, the grand staircases and saddened by the memories left behind such as family photographs and personal belongings.
12 years on, we anticipated that this abandoned building would be fully renovated and enjoying its new life. Unfortunately, we were very wrong and quickly learned that after a partial demolition, it remains exposed to the British elements.
Southerndown Care Home…
Visit Date: November 2024
Formally known as the Dunraven Hotel, this historic building has sat derelict since 2006 and throughout those 18 years, has suffered from vandalism, metal thefts, natural decay and now stands as a broken version of its historic self following a partial demolition of building extensions completed over the years. We had hoped that this building would have been saved many years prior to this revisit but for unknown reasons, in 2024 it remains empty, disused and crying out to be saved.
Southerndown Care Home for the Blind & Elderly was built in the 1890 and was originally known as “The Dunraven Hotel”.
Since the 1940’s it has been occupied as a convalescence and a care home for the blind. The building was constructed in the style of a castle with accommodation on three floors with attic accommodation above.
The Dunraven Hotel was originally a low thatched building. This was demolished in
1890 to cater for a higher class of visitor, running a horse brake service to and
from Southerndown Road Station (now closed) at Castle-
Southerndown Care Home was a registered charity with any profits being used to improve and upgrade the facilities. However, it is understood that with the significant rising costs to maintain such a grand building, it was permanently closed in 2006, sitting empty and exposed ever since.
As we entered Southerndown Care Home 12 years after our last visit, it was immediately clear that this wasn’t going to be the same type of explore as we had previously. We were now stood in what could only be described as a cold, damp building site.
Walls that were once covered in dated wallpaper, now stand bare with the wallpaper hanging off in places. Plastering fallen throughout, floorboards fully exposed, ceilings taken down and doors missing entirely.
If you take a few moments to look through, the memories of its former life still remain present and strong.
Pull cords that would have been used by residents 18 years ago still hang strong next to the windows overlooking the vast coast surrounding the former Southerndown Care Home.
Wallpaper boarders cling on the walls as tightly as possible, fireplaces once used to warm the residents wait in hope for a new life and mirrors that saw the beauty in everyone that stood before it remain.
Over the many years we’ve been exploring our forgotten buildings, we have learned
that for many, the only fate would be demolition. This particular building however,
we hoped would end in a re-
We are to believe that there is however a future for the former Southerndown Care Home. One that involves building houses on the land available and redeveloping the grand building into a number of apartments.
Whether this will ever actually happen though is another matter. One thing is certain though, the Urban Exploration team at Beyond The Lens Photography will certainly be returning.
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.
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Beyond The Lens Photography does not recommend that you attempt to imitate our work.
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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.
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