Photograph of the Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Romsey Road, Winchester
Taken about 1870
The Hampshire County Hospital was founded in Winchester in 1736, but sites in the town centre proved problematic. By the mid-nineteenth century drainage difficulties were so acute that relocation on higher ground was decided upon in 1861, albeit after much acrimonious debate. Florence Nightingale was an advocate of the scheme and advised on the site and building.
The eminent architect William Butterfield designed the new hospital, which opened in 1868 with sixteen in-patients and fourteen out-patients. Queen Victoria gave permission for the hospital to be 'Royal' and contributed to the appeal, which raised over £34,000 to finance the project.
The photograph was taken by Winchester photographer William Savage (1817-87) and is found in an album of his work.
