A grand 56-bedroom hotel, once heaving with injured soldiers during the First World War, now lies completely abandoned. Named The Rest, the Grade II listed building in Porthcawl, Wales was built as a convalescent hotel in the early 1860s. It was subsequently used as an auxiliary military hospital from 1915. Between World War I and II, the hospital provided care for more than 2,500 wounded soldiers from Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. The Rest, which sits on a clifftop overlooking Rest Bay, returned to civilian use as a convalescent hotel in 1946, before it closed in 2013. Photographer Shaun Ashford, 25, of Cardiff, Wales, visited the historic site and captured the Victorian building’s empty interiors.
A little caterpillar fearlessly scampers down a branch and confronts a praying mantis .
WELCOME to the 125 decibel boombox bus that could damage your hearing if you party too close to its giant speakers .
Leaping out of the ocean, a group of gentoo penguins fly through the air before landing safely on an iceberg .
SNUGGLING up against their teddy bears, these baby sloths could easily be mistaken for one of the cuddly toys .
An adorable black bear cub struggles to find the perfect spot for an afternoon nap as he wriggles around on the branch of a maple tree .
An elegant snowy owl spreads her wings and glides effortlessly above the snow covered field .
A young orangutan comes over all shy as she hides her face behind a broken bucket .
This cheeky chappie is getting into all kinds of monkey business as he enjoys cooling off on a scorching hot day .
Sitting all alone on drift ice in the Arctic Ocean, this lonely little fella looks lost .
