Gazing up at this towering structure, you might wonder about its past. This is the Warlingham Park Hospital Water Tower. It’s the sole survivor of a bygone era. The hospital, once a pioneering institution, is now gone. Only this majestic tower remains.
Warlingham Park Hospital opened in 1903. It was initially known as Croydon Mental Hospital. The hospital aimed to provide a therapeutic environment. Its founders wanted to distance it from the grim asylums of the past. They wanted to avoid overcrowding and neglect.
The architect team of Oatley and Skinner designed the hospital. Their design included a compact arrow plan. Male and female blocks flanked the central areas. A 130-foot water tower stood tall. It featured decorative bands and a clock face on each side. The tower dominated the entire complex.
During World War I, the hospital housed patients from other asylums. These asylums were requisitioned for military use. After the war, patients returned to their original locations.
In 1937, the hospital gained a new name. It became Warlingham Park. This was despite being closer to Chelsham than Warlingham.
Under Dr. Thomas Rees, Warlingham Park revolutionized patient care. It became a leading hospital in developing new treatments. The hospital implemented an open-door policy. Fences around airing courts were removed. Therapy and rehabilitation were greatly expanded. Warlingham Park was the first in the country to open a specialist unit. This unit was for alcohol and drug dependency.
Sadly, the detached chapel burned down in 1966. It was later demolished.
The hospital eventually closed in February 1999. The site was redeveloped into a housing estate. It is now known as Greatpark. The water tower was the only building spared. It received Grade II status. All other buildings were demolished.
In 2012, the Warlingham Park Hospital Water Tower was refurbished. Two thousand bricks were re-pointed. The original black mortar was used. The clocks were restored. Their bell chimes now work.
Today, the Warlingham Park Hospital Water Tower stands as a centerpiece. It is a reminder of the hospital’s history. It watches over the gated community. The tower serves as a symbol of progress and change. It is a testament to the hospital’s pioneering spirit.