Asylums were rigorous institutions, adhering to strict timetables, a sense of order both necessary for the smooth running of the institutions and (it was believed) for the wellbeing of the patients.

Such unchanging regimentation blurred the days, weeks and years, and it’s not surprising that many patients lost all sense of time in these institutions.

A clock tower was a practical necessity as not all the patients nor staff would have had timepieces in the early years of the asylum. Clock towers were most often found on the Administration Blocks, although water towers were sometimes disguised as clock towers to bring interest to their otherwise uninspiring frontages.

Below: The corridor asylum has retained its original clockwork, an impressive wall of brass cogs and dials in the cramped clock tower. The enormous pendulum hangs in the room below. Unfortunately Severalls lost her original clock years ago, and a tiny electric motor replaced the workings that would've originally been installed here. And someone with no brain whatsoever has smashed the clock face.