Walton Hospital, Rice Lane, Liverpool, Merseyside

West Derby was a large poor law union which surrounded the city of Liverpool. This building was originally one of the workhouses run by the West Derby Union. It was built between 1864-1869. The architect was William Culshaw who also designed the Toxteth Park Workhouse. It was built to house 1200 inmates. In 1879 a school and children's wards were added, built in the 'cottage style'. By 1925, the site had expanded to cover 35 acres. By 1930, the capacity had expanded to 2500 inmates. There were workshops, dormitories, an infirmary, a chapel and a children's quarantine block. The workhouse later became Walton Institution and then Walton Hospital until its closure in the late 1990s.

Location

Merseyside Liverpool

Period

Victorian (1837 - 1901)

Tags

workhouse poor social health welfare charity Victorian (1837 - 1901)