Gazing at Princess Park Manor, can you believe this grand building once housed thousands of patients? Originally known as Colney Hatch Lunatic Asylum, Princess Park Manor opened in 1851. It was the largest mental health hospital in Europe. Prince Albert himself laid the foundation stone in 1849. This impressive structure boasted six miles of corridors. Its construction cost a staggering £400,000, equivalent to about £55 million today. Colney Hatch was meant to be a beacon of progressive mental health care. Instead of the traditional straitjackets, patients were given work and entertainment. This humane approach was a stark contrast to the practices of the time. However, increasing demand led to overcrowding. Temporary wooden wards were erected to accommodate the influx of patients. Tragically, in 1903, one of these wards caught fire. Fifty-two women perished in the flames, many trapped in their beds. The hospital’s history also includes housing infamous figures. Jack the Ripper suspect Aaron Kosminski and serial killer John Duffy were both patients at Colney Hatch. The asylum’s name even became London slang, synonymous with anything unusual or irrational. After closing in 1993, the building was purchased by Comer Homes in 1995. They transformed the former asylum into luxury apartments, renaming it Princess Park Manor in honor of Princess Diana. Now, it features 30 acres of private parkland, 24-hour security, and a health club. Princess Park Manor has attracted a host of celebrity residents. One Direction, Busted, The Wanted, JLS, Girls Aloud, Ashley Cole, Jermaine Pennant, and The Saturdays have all called this place home. It became a hub for young stars starting their careers, known for its late-night parties. In 2004, the on-site tennis courts played Cupid, where Cheryl Tweedy caught the eye of resident Ashley Cole. Simon Cowell’s record company, SyCo, even had a deal with the developers to house their clients here. Princess Park Manor’s journey from a pioneering asylum to a celebrity haven is a testament to its enduring presence.
Southfields Methodist Church
Curiosity stirred within the heart of Southfields as a new chapter began. Southfields Methodist Church held its first public service