Mortimer House, Clifton, Bristol

[Lisajb]

Does anyone know anything of Mortimer House, in Clifton, Bristol?

I've seen it variously described as a hospital, maternity hospital or mother and baby home, but there doesn't seem to be much information on the WWW about it, other than recent newspaper reports about squatters moving in.

My husband was born there in the early 1960s, his mum was 17 and Irish Catholic, and unmarried, so am thinking it may been ones of those places for "girls who'd got into trouble." Certainly the intention was that he would be adopted, but this didn't happen and he was brought up by a relative.

I think the records will be kept at Bristol archives, just wondered if anyone on here knew of the place?

[Old Bristolian]

Don't tell my wife about "girls in trouble". She gave birth to our daughter there in 1970. It was a standard maternity hospital then

Steve

[Lisajb]

Apologies, I didn't mean to cause any offence.

[Old Bristolian]

None taken I assure you! From the TNA record of its register of births it was a maternity hospital from 1944 until 1975. I believe after some years of neglect it has now been turned into rather smart apartments

Steve

[Lisajb]

It went up for sale as "the shell of Mortimer House, with full listed building consent", so perhaps not converted at that point. Plus five townhouses in the grounds. You'd probably need a fair few quid!

[chempat]

A very little information here:

http://brisray.com/bristol/bhelp3.htm

[JohnG_Swansea]

Does anyone know anything of Mortimer House, in Clifton, Bristol?

I've seen it variously described as a hospital, maternity hospital or mother and baby home, but there doesn't seem to be much information on the WWW about it, other than recent newspaper reports about squatters moving in.

Snip, Snip:

Hi Lisa,

As others have indicated Mortimer House was in its day a straight forward maternity hospital, it is quite an imposing building standing on the south east corner of Mortimer Road & Clifton Down Road, Clifton.  {link to Google Street view}

If that link works as I hope it does Mortimer House is behind the 'Builders Boards' to the right, and (subject to correction by others) I believe that the former Walker Dunbar Hospital is the building behind the scaffolding, across the junction.

You might also find this thread will provide additional information.

What's my interest in Mortimer House?   I was also born there.

Regards, JohnG_Swansea

[Lisajb]

Hi John_G
Thank you, that's set mine and husbands minds at rest.  Much appreciated.

Regards
Lisa

[Peter Carpenter]

just seen this - it was the maternity hospital until St Michael's was built - then it was given to Southmead Health Authority who used it to close the 'House of Help' in Bath - which was mainly elderly ladies. So it took ladies from old Magdalen and Ladymead house.
Then it was used more generally for Learning Difficulties - and transferred the ownership of what became Aspects and Milestones. Then they closed it and sold it. One of the problems with the house is there s a listed ballroom in it so they had massive problem converting it.