This Old House

AFTER THE PRESTIGIOUS INSTITUTION CLOSED ITS DOORS, NATURE STARTED TO RECLAIM THE GOTHIC BUILDING. “

A recent proposal to convert the school into apartments created new hopes the striking architecture will not disappear into the briars.

Regrettably, there has also been human damage inside and out. Lead pilfered from the roof, leading to water ingress and causing two stone pillars to crumble away. The peeling cream walls sport graphic graffiti and the neglected furniture is battered and broken.

A recent proposal to convert the school into apartments created new hopes the striking architecture will not disappear into the briars. But perhaps it was the neglect and disdain that makes Lillesden so enthralling.

If, as one scrawl says, ‘the best view of heaven is from hell’, then this abandoned relic needs to remain just that.

THE PEELING CREAM WALLS SPORT GRAPHIC GRAFFITI AND THE NEGLECTED FURNITURE BATTERED AND BROKEN. “

With its terraced lawns, ornate windows and beautiful interior, Lillesden truly was a dreamland for its students.