Change of use

This is the side of the building which houses my gym. It was originally the chapel for what was known as Bexley Asylum built in 1898. It's name changed to Bexley Mental Hospital in 1918.

There is a plaque on the wall beneath the window on my picture stating "This stone was laid June 29th 1899 by Richard Strong,esq. JP. Vice Chairman of the London County Council and Chairman of this asylum committee".

The hospital closed in 2001 and the site was redeveloped as a high end housing estate. Some of the original buildings are still in existence, under new uses, and that includes the chapel which has been converted into a gym with a pool that still has large pillars supporting the ceiling.

In the reception area there is the chapel pulpit and what looks like the original chandeliers and beautiful tiles on the floor.

It is a listed building and now very far removed from its original use.