The Lawn

The Lawn is a large mental hospital, later converted into a museum, meeting, and entertainment centre, built between 1820 and the late 19th century. Designed by Richard Ingleman of Southwell, with subsequent additions, it underwent extensive restoration and conversion in 1989-90, including the addition of a conference hall to the central quadrangle. The building is constructed of yellow and red brick with a stucco front, and features gabled and hipped slate roofs. It is designed in a Classical Revival style.

The exterior is characterized by an eaves cornice, coped parapet, pedimented gables, and various stacks. Most windows are glazing bar sashes. The main block, with flanking wings, is complemented by rear wings that define the central quadrangle, with a rear range incorporating the former theatre. The building rises to two and three stories, arranged in 19 x 15 bays.

The main block, three stories high and five bays wide, has a prominent giant Ionic portico with a pediment. The central doorway is distinguished by a moulded Egyptian architrave, flanked by two sashes. Above, five sashes appear on each floor, with those on the second floor being smaller. The flanking wings, two stories and five bays each, display regular fenestration on each floor. Projecting terminal blocks, two stories high, have two windows on each floor. The rear elevation also exhibits regular fenestration and two semicircular projecting bays. The rear wings, two stories and ten bays, framing the central quadrangle, include hipped two-story central projections and end pavilions.

The former theatre, now named Lawrence Hall, forms the north side of the quadrangle. It’s two stories high, five bays wide, features a central gabled dormer on each side, and five gablet ventilators. A round arched cross casement is located in the north gable.

The interior of the main block features a central stairwell with reeded cornices and a panelled elliptical arch on each floor. A stone cantilever open-well staircase is present, complete with a wrought-iron balustrade. The Neustadt room includes a reeded fireplace and basket grate. Ranges of former single-patient cells are found on each floor, many of which have been remodelled. Lawrence Hall retains an arch braced roof with a panelled ceiling, along with an elliptical proscenium arch flanked by pedimented doorcases. At the rear of the hall is a wooden fire surround with a cornice and overmantel.

The Lawn gained historical significance due to the pioneering treatment methods introduced by Edward Parker Charlesworth and Robert Gardner Hill between approximately 1831 and 1838. They pioneered the treatment of patients without physical restraint; a principle subsequently adopted at the influential Hanwell Asylum from 1839.