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  • James Matthews

Whitchurch Hospital Cardiff

Working with the Historical Society in Cardiff, I had the pleasure of Photographing the end of Whitchurch Hospital Cardiff. I photographed in most areas of Whitchurch Hospital just before its closure. Photographed in black and white to capture the texture and the history of this great building. The only exception is the front of the building photograph, which is often used in publicity publications by the historical society.


I’m glad that I got involved, and I’m excited about what I’ve done for the historical society. As someone who enjoys taking pictures, this was a labour of love for me. And it turned out to be a lot of fun too.

I feel very honoured to have played a small part in documenting this hospital in Cardiff. I have had exhibitions with some of the images at Llandough Hospital and again at the Barry Centre.

Who Are The Historical Society?

The Whitchurch Hospital Historical Society is a small group of individuals who meet monthly to preserve and publish information and artefacts relating to Whitchurch Hospital in Cardiff. It is a unique hospital with a fascinating history.


Since Whitchurch Hospital closed to inpatients, the Hospital Historical Society has been collaborating with various organisations such as Cardiff university on small scale Whitchurch hospital exhibitions.

Whitchurch Hospital Cardiff

The hospital is reported to have taken ten years to build at the cost of £350,000 in 1908. That's about £37.5 million at today's equivalent value. Built as the Cardiff City Asylum, to accommodate 750 patients. The hospital is set in five acres of grounds and o it was a self-contained institute.


The Whitchurch community has been left wondering what will happen to its old psychiatric hospital since it closed its doors in 2016. Plans to build houses and business offices were rejected by the council due to significant objections from local residents. However, the rejection was overturned in 2001 by a planning inspector and permission is now granted.


The photographs below are some of several hundred photographs taken during 12 months of capturing this lovely building. Yes they can also be purchased.






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