Medical dates:

Medical character:

The Northlands Retreat for Inebriates was established in 1864 as a home for inebriate women of limited financial means (however, no working class patients were received).  The Retreat consisted of two large terraced houses in North Street, with a shrubbery and a carriage drive in front.

In 1898 the Retreat was licensed under the Inebriates Act to Misses Ellen and Jane Round (who were both resident) and their brother Dr John Round, who was the medical licensee.  Dr W.G. Dickenson was the visiting physician.

The houses, although now old-fashioned, had a comfortable and homely appearance.  Accommodation was provided for 5 female patients in a number of bedrooms.  Private patients were also accepted.  Amenities included a morning room, a dining room and two drawing rooms.  The servants were all abstainers.

The garden, also old-fashioned but pleasant, had a small lawn.  The back of the buildings was covered in trailing vine, ivy and wisteria.  Patients were not allowed to leave the premises unaccompanied, but could use the garden freely.

On admission each patient was examined by Dr Dickenson, who visited regularly once a week and generally directed treatment.  Total abstinence was strictly enforced.  The Round sisters kept their patients under constant supervision, accompanying them on shopping trips or, in the summer, on excursions to places of interest.  In the winter, if any patients wished to go to a concert or other entertainment, one of the sisters would go with them.  The sisters also took their meals with the patients and spent their evenings with them.

Patients usually stayed for at least a year; six months was the shortest time an inebriate would be admitted for.  If a year's patient had done well, she would be allowed to go out for walks when she had completed 11 months residency.

Patients rose at 07.45, had breakfast at 09.00, dinner at 13.30, tea at 17.00 and supper at 21.00.  All were required to attend morning prayers at 08.45 and evening prayers at 21.30, and Church services, unless they were Roman Catholic or Jewish.

After one year of residence, patients frequently remained for a further year or six months.  In 1903 the weekly charge was between one to two and a half guineas (£1.05 to £2.63), depending on the bedroom.  After discharge a large percentage of patients were said to be doing well in their own homes.

By 1907 the Retreat had moved to Bolingbroke Grove, occupying Westwood Tower at No. 19 and Elmhurst at No. 20.  It was licensed for 12 female patients suffering from inebriety or drug addiction.  Those seeking a rest cure were also admitted.  The average stay was nine months.

The Retreat closed sometime during WW1 (1914-1918).

Present status (January 2014)

Between the wars the houses of the first site of the Retreat on North Street were demolished and replaced by a large Council block  - Fairfield Drive.  North Street was renamed Fairfield Street.

The second site in Bolingbroke Grove became the Battersea Borough Maternity Home in 1921.  During WW2 (1939-1945) the buildings suffered bomb damage and were demolished around 1948.  The grounds of an apartment block - Lane Court - now occupy the site.