The Royal Hospital Haslar was the largest hospital in England. It had a long and distinguished history serving military personnel, and later civilians. The site closed in 2009.
Visited July 2013 - September 2014 Gosport, UK Abandoned
History of the Royal Naval Hospital Haslar
For over 250 years the Royal Naval Hospital Haslar in Gosport provided medical services to the Royal Navy. The hospital had a long and distinguished service, and more recently provided treatment for all three military services and to civilians.
Planning for the hospital commenced in 1745 to be the first of three hospitals providing medical treatment to Sailors of the Fleet. Building of the hospital took 16 years and was completed in 1762, however the fourth side was not completed due to over-expenditure. When it opened, Haslar Hospital was the largest hospital, and the largest brick building in England.
As Haslar developed it didn’t take long until it started to resemble a prison more than a hospital. It was not uncommon for sailors to feign illness in order to be brought back to land from where they could escape. Extensive security measures were put in place and Haslar became known as an impenetrable fortress. The distinctive brick wall surrounding the site remains to this day, and was there to keep the sailors inside!
Development and expansion over the years ensured Haslar could stay at the forefront of care, and was always held in high regard. The many wars through the 20th century saw Haslar grow in terms of professionalism and technical ability while treating many casualties.
In 1966 Haslar became the core of the Tri-Services hospitals. The hospital was opened up to use by the NHS in later years, after military services were transferred to other hospitals. The site was closed and sold to developers in 2009.
Further History
A full history of Royal Hospital Haslar has been put together by the Haslar Heritage Group and can be found on their website.
The ward was used as a set for filming of the popular TV medical drama Holby City
These pictures from 1905 and 1960 show the same ward as the image above, while the hospital was in use. Note the curtains for patient privacy were only added in 1960.
The original operating theatre was situated above the main arcade. The first image shows the inside of the pavilion which can be seen in second image. The pavilion was removed after the First World War.
The tramway connected Haslar Jetty to the hospital so sick or injured sailors could be transferred easily from ships. Sick Berth staff would push the tram by hand into the hospitals arcade.
More about the Padded Cell
G-Block was the hospital’s psychiatric ward and features an original Pocock Brothers padded cell. I have written a separate report about the padded cell.
What a crying shame this hospital was closed and leaving all those expensive machines. With all the property being built so making a hospital this side of the water. When they did close why leave all the machines
Amazing pictures buddy, some really good times here for sure! Loving the pictures of the scanners and stairs, don’t think I can get enough of this place
My first posting and my best memories. What a wonderful establishment, beautiful building and a fantastic team. It should never have closed and makes me so desperately sad to see the decaying interior. We were so proud of our hospital.
It was an awakening in my life, I enjoyed my experience of Nursing in the Navy, the Patients, the camaraderie,the Serenity of the Hospital. The grounds were wonderful for the patients recovering and the staff that guided them in these surroundings. I know we can never go back, but memories keep one going. My regret is that RNH.Haslar was sold because they say it was too expensive to run.. The NHS is still loosing money in different ways.
Part of RNH Haslar could have been used for the general public, part for service personal in the area and part for Private patients, which could have helped with the funding. I feel that too many expect not to pay anything for Health, there are not enough people paying Into the NHS.,because more are on benefits than working., too many at the top being paid extortionate wages. On the plus side there have been many advancements in medicine and surgery, but you cannot beat good nursing care, which is what I found when nursing in RNHHaslar. It is a long way to QA?, and like a city to get around, making it more expensive to park. the Staff are very good and volunteers obliging, but it still does not make up for the loss of RNH Haslar.
I worked at Haslar from 1995 till 2000 and loved my job n working here it’s such a shame it closed but fab pictures xx n great memories xx ( I worked on E6
I had several Ops. At Hasler, also my father was cared for when he was ill,the staff were wonderful,the doctors also were to be admired it was a sad day when the hospital was closed
Some great shot here pal! entrance hall one is my fave!
Awesome shots, Thanks for posting.
Oh my goodness me !
Cracking report !
very impressive report! Chapeau
Thanks for posting love haslar wish it was still open xxx
So many memories it’s such a waste this sitting empty
What a waste of a perfectly good hospital!
Best hospital ever, what a mistake it was to close it.
I worked in haslar it was a great place such a waste now
Thank you for going behind the scenes with honest and good intentions! Shameful that this beautiful hospital was closed.
What a crying shame this hospital was closed and leaving all those expensive machines. With all the property being built so making a hospital this side of the water. When they did close why leave all the machines
Received the best care there far better than St Marys or Q AH.
This hospital should be reopened immediately xxxx
Brilliant report mate so well covered!
Great memories and I worked with some wonderful people. Happy memories
Working in this hospital was a great experience…
If there was ever a domestic threat has large could be reopened immediately by the military. Lots of memories of my father working here.
Wish it never closed, have you tried getting to the QA and actually tried to find a car parking space, Gosport needed Haslar.
So sad to see it decaying, such a waste closing it.
Best years of my nursing was at haslar shame that lovely building is left empty
Amazing pictures buddy, some really good times here for sure! Loving the pictures of the scanners and stairs, don’t think I can get enough of this place
I lived and worked at R.N.H. Haslar as a member of the operating theatre team. It is so so sad to see the old place falling to bits!!!!!
Many wonderful memories of this wonderful hospital. Class of 43.
I trained and worked there in 1990 and had several operations as well. Sad to see it so unloved. But I have kept my fab memories.
Wow, started my Medic life in RH Haslar (as it was known when I started in 2000!!). Some great times had
I spent time here between 1990 – 1997 . Brilliant memories but very sad now to see it in such a state . What a waste and what a history .
My first posting and my best memories. What a wonderful establishment, beautiful building and a fantastic team. It should never have closed and makes me so desperately sad to see the decaying interior. We were so proud of our hospital.
Amazing memories of working here. A real honour to be part of its history
so sad it has been left empty and left to rot so so sad x.
I loved working at haslar ! As a ward aid and galley rat !! So sad to see it now !!!! Fab times !!!!
Beautiful photos…what a place this must have been!!! Thanks for the history too…!!!
A large and enjoyable chunk of my life spent in that great hospital.
It was an awakening in my life, I enjoyed my experience of Nursing in the Navy, the Patients, the camaraderie,the Serenity of the Hospital. The grounds were wonderful for the patients recovering and the staff that guided them in these surroundings. I know we can never go back, but memories keep one going. My regret is that RNH.Haslar was sold because they say it was too expensive to run.. The NHS is still loosing money in different ways.
Part of RNH Haslar could have been used for the general public, part for service personal in the area and part for Private patients, which could have helped with the funding. I feel that too many expect not to pay anything for Health, there are not enough people paying Into the NHS.,because more are on benefits than working., too many at the top being paid extortionate wages. On the plus side there have been many advancements in medicine and surgery, but you cannot beat good nursing care, which is what I found when nursing in RNHHaslar. It is a long way to QA?, and like a city to get around, making it more expensive to park. the Staff are very good and volunteers obliging, but it still does not make up for the loss of RNH Haslar.
Lovely shots, one of my faverouties to explore, get any of the morgue?
Ahh, beautiful pictures though
Miss this place so much it was a fantastic place to work will never understand why we were closed Gosport residents are now at risk
A better run hospital than the present QA…
I worked at Haslar from 1995 till 2000 and loved my job n working here it’s such a shame it closed but fab pictures xx n great memories xx ( I worked on E6
Fisrt posting with NAAFI 1989
FYI its NOT Royal Hospital Haslar,its Royal Naval Hospital Haslar.I spent many happy years there as a young Medical Assistant.
Spent many years as a nurse in this special place. So full of history and stories, so sad it closed.
I had several Ops. At Hasler, also my father was cared for when he was ill,the staff were wonderful,the doctors also were to be admired it was a sad day when the hospital was closed
I’ve only ever heard nice things about the hospital and its staff, sounds like it was good place
Thank you
wow one of the best locs I’ve see in times! good jobs , awesome pictures!
The picture of the dental surgery is incorrect. I used to work there and its not the surgery areas?
Ah, my bad. What was that room please?