Manchester Convalescent Home

Barnes Hospital
The main building of Barnes Hospital in April 2008
Former names	Barnes Convalescent Home
General information
Status	Derelict (Grade II, 1999)
Type	Former hospital
Architectural style	French Gothic Revival
Location	Cheadle, Greater Manchester, England
Construction started	1871
Completed	1875
Renovated	1893, 1945
Design and construction
Architect	Lawrence Booth

Barnes Hospital, also known as Manchester Convalescent Home, in Cheadle, Greater Manchester, England, is a former hospital. It is located on the border between Manchester and near to the A34 road in the middle of the complex interchange between the A34, M60 motorway and M56 motorway. Whilst the hospital was constructed in a rural setting, it is now surrounded by roads. The main building is Grade II listed, and lies on green belt land.

The hospital closed in 1999 and although the building was promptly listed, it has become derelict. It remains an easily identifiable landmark for passers-by, sitting on a mount overlooking the surrounding roads. It is recognisable for its eerie and sombre Gothic aesthetic reminiscent of a monastery.

A residential development on the site, including the conversion of the hospital into apartments, commenced construction in 2015 and is due for completion in 2017.

The Convalescent Home was constructed by Manchester Royal Infirmary on the outskirts of Manchester. The rural location was selected as a recuperating atmosphere away from the industrial smog of Manchester. The site is now surrounded by major roads on all sides.

Broken remains of three stone high crosses were discovered in 1874 during the construction of the hospital. The location of only one of these is known today; this consists of a crosshead of Celtic cross form with a central boss, and dates from the late 10th or 11th century. It is now located in St Mary's Church, Cheadle. The other two pieces are said to be part of a much older cross, and the upper part of an Anglo-Saxon cross shaft.

A donation of £26,000 for the founding of a new convalescent hospital in Cheadle was made in 1869 by Robert Barnes. Construction of the hospital, named the Barnes Convalescent Home, started in 1871 and was completed in 1875. It was constructed of bricks, the clay for which was provided locally. There were 132 beds.