Inventory Site Record

The Cassel Hospital faces onto the western boundary of Ham Common, near Ham Pond. In 1863 the mid C18th house that still remains as part of the hospital was purchased on his marriage by the Duc de Chartres, exiled prince of Orleans family, and trees that remain on lawns are likely to date from that time. In c.1880 it became West Heath School, and later Lawrence Hall Hotel. In 1947 it was purchased by the Cassel Foundation, whose Cassel Hospital for Functional Nervous Disorders had opened in 1921 in Penshurst Kent. It became part of the NHS and is now West London Mental Health Trust, although its future is uncertain. The grounds comprise lawns with mature trees including oak, sweet chestnut, weeping ash, Scots pine, cedar, and one ancient pollarded oak predating the house. Woodland surrounding the lawn is densest on the north west; an old walled garden is beyond narrow woodland to the south west, with an apple orchard at the rear.

Previous / Other name:

Morgan House; Lawrence Hall Hotel

Site location:

1 Ham Common

Postcode:

TW10 7JF

What 3 Words:

acute.expose.units

Type of site:

Institutional Grounds

Borough:

Richmond

Open to public?

No

Opening times:

private

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Events:

Public transport:

Citymapper    
Google Map    
streetmap.co.uk

Research updated:

28/01/2022

Last minor changes:

14/07/2022

Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news.

Pending further research

The West London Mental Health Trust provides national specialist assessment and treatment services for young people and adults with complex personality disorders. It is possible that the hospital may become surplus to NHS requirements so future development of the site is possible. However, the grounds to the rear and to the side are designated as both Other Site of Nature Importance and Other Open Land of Townscape Importance and development in this area would not be acceptable.

Part to south-west of site is within RB Kingston (0.7ha.).

Sources consulted:

John Archer, David Curson, 'Nature Conservation in Richmond upon Thames, Ecology Handbook 21', (London Ecology Unit) 1993 p81-3; Lost Hospitals of London website

Grid ref:

TQ176718 (517650,171850)

Size in hectares:

3

Site ownership:

NHS?

Site management:

West London Mental Health Trust

Date(s):

1860s

Designer(s):

Listed structures:

LBII: Cassel Hospital

On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens:

No

Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965:

No

Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931:

No

Local Authority Data

The information below is taken from the relevant Local Authority's planning legislation, which was correct at the time of research but may have been amended in the interim. Please check with the Local Authority for latest planning information.

On Local List:

No

In Conservation Area:

No

Tree Preservation Order:

Not known

Nature Conservation Area:

Yes - Local Importance

Green Belt:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

Other LA designation:

Other Open Land of Townscape Value