High Beech
On 8th July 1837 Doctors Fenwick Skrimshire and Thomas Walker sign a certificate of insanity and seven days later the poet John Clare is admitted to Dr Matthew Allen’s private asylum at High Beech in Epping Forest, northeast of London. Whilst there he is constantly watched but still able to wander in the forest and surrounding areas. In 1841 Clare
escapes from the asylum and spends four days walking back to his home in Helpston near Peterborough.
There is no longer any trace of the asylum but the forest is still as Clare would have seen it on his wandering and eventual escape.
These images were taken in that place.
escapes from the asylum and spends four days walking back to his home in Helpston near Peterborough.
There is no longer any trace of the asylum but the forest is still as Clare would have seen it on his wandering and eventual escape.
These images were taken in that place.