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.
UNDERWATER and above-water seaside shots show the best of British beach-life .
THIS DANGER-mad female pensioner could be the oldest Brit to cage dive with CROCODILES .
ROLLING up snow in its tiny paws, this little squirrel is looking for a snowball fight .
FLYING through the air, these delighted pooches pull their best poses mid-flight .
SAILING over crystal clear waters, the Bajau people of Malaysia live their lives almost entirely at SEA .
RACING down the slopes in her tiny ski gear, this TWO-YEAR-OLD girl has already mastered the art of skiing .
These uninvited guests ELEPHANTLY make their annual trip through the reception of this welcoming lodge .
A little brown bear cub shows his doting mum that she is always on parent duty as he uses her as a scratching post .
RESTING his weary head on his flipper, this little seal pup takes a much needed nap after an afternoon of strenuous yoga .
Dogs catch waves at the Coronado Bay dog surf championships Saturday 22nd June 2013- DOG SURFING mutts have never looked so gnarly .
Pouncing down on top of his twin brother, these two snow leopard cubs practice their kung-fu moves .
