History and old photographs of Grade II listed building Hexham Hydro

The Grade II listed Hexham Hydro building began life as a private house built in 1859 known as Westfield House, according to Northumberland Archives, an organisation which preserves archive documents, photographs and other media relating to Northumberland.

The Hydropathic Hotel post-1879. The original Westfield House is on the left (Image: Hexham Local History Society)

The building was then purchased by the Tynedale Hydropathic Establishment Company and it opened as the Tynedale Hydropathic Hotel, which is where it derived the local name The Hydro.

The Tynedale Hydropathic Hotel, estimated date 1904 (Image: Hexham Local History Society)

According to Pre-Construct Archaeology, one of the UK's largest professional heritage services providers, the larger hotel building was constructed next to the original Westfield House. 

The Winter Gardens (Image: Hexham Local History Society)

The hotel offered Turkish baths, a ballroom, and a pool. The glass conservatory The Winter Gardens was added, which housed exotic plants and fountains.

The Winter Gardens in 1928 (Image: Hexham Local History Society)

Many famous clientele reportedly visited the hotel, including Hollywood legends Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks Jr, and prime minister Ramsay MacDonald. 

A wooden staircase circa 1980, in the original Westfield House (Image: Hexham Local History Society)

The hotel continued trading until the Second World War when it was repurposed to house patients from Stannington Sanatorium.

This was the first purposely built hospital for children with tuberculosis in the UK, opening its doors in 1907 in the Northumberland village of Stannington.  

Westfield House around 1982 (Image: Hexham Local History Society)

Northumberland Archives states staff and patients were forced to relocate to a safer place during the war, and more than 200 children were moved from the sanatorium to the Hydro building.

The Hydro was thought to be a suitable location owing to its lofty rooms, large windows, and beautiful surroundings. 

The walled garden at the Hydro (Image: Hexham Local History Society)

The capacity at Hexham was significantly less than Stannington's facilities, so the number of staff and patients treated during the war years declined.

In 1945, staff and patients returned to Stannington. 

The Hydro set in the landscape (Image: Hexham Local History Society)

The Hydro was then sold to Northumberland County Council and was the site of Queen Elizabeth High School until 2021.

Hexham Middle School relocated to the Hydro in 2021 and new buildings were constructed to house facilities for all students.