Mendip hospital cemetery

This hidden little gem, I can't shout out how amazing a discovery it was. I can say that an old cemetery might not be to everyone's taste, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. When researching places to go I came across this cemetery an old cemetery that was once home to a mental health hospital. Just a 20-minute walk from the cathedral its easily accessible. Do take into account when visiting that it is only open to the public on a Sunday from 10 am till 4 pm. Entry is free but donations are appreciated. Now run by volunteers who take much pride in making sure the memory lives on. 

In the grounds from 1874- 1963 was Mendip mental hospital. In this time 3000 patients were laid to rest on the grounds. Although now the graves are not very recognisable and the tall grass covers most of the area there is still lots to see. Due to the soil's nutrients, there are tons of plants flourishing in the patch of land.

As you enter the gates there is a chapel at the front and then on a slight slope paths between the grass to explore. occasionally you will come across old gravestones but they are few in numbers. Mostly what now represents the lives that were are metal markers with numbers on. These marks each correlate to a person listed in a book which is inside the chapel. 

When you get to the chapel we were greeted by a volunteer of the cemetery who had such a passion. He told us all the research he had done as well as the artefacts gathered. Until he had moved to the area himself he knew nothing of the place but over time you could see how much it had grown a special place for him. There is many stories to be told in the chapel and you could spend hours there learning about the history. 

Another great installation that has been added by a different volunteer is sculptures from old trees. As you can see pictured trees turned into people that make you stop and think for a moment.

In the sky butterflies and bees fly past among the flowers. They even have their own beehives on sight and produce honey you can buy. In the chapel, there is also posters and books all about the insects around to help you identify them. 

What the volunteers have done with the place is fantastic. If in the area definitely go and give it a visit if only for a short while.