My 3rd and final visit to St Mary’s – with demolition already there wasn’t much thought. Sadly due to this not much of the main buildings were covered but I had previously documented these last june. St Mary’s opened in 1910 and closed in 1995, the site is in remarkably good condition in comparision to other hospitals that closed around the same time. Probably due to its more remote location and the locals determination to preserve the buildings. Conversion will see most of the external buildings demolished with the main complex and chapel kept for mixed residential, community & business use.

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49 Comments

  • tumbles, July 26, 2021 @ 09:58

    It’s possibly here or St Georges Morpeth. Both have pretty much been demolished completely now. St Mary’s does retain a few bits including the lovely admin block which is now a pub/B&B.

  • Evelyn Sattelmayer, July 4, 2021 @ 14:34

    My mother worked here in 1950-1951 as a nurse after she left Germany together with a girlfriend. She always talked about the place in Morpeth. I am not sure if this is the same hospital. She met my father who worked on a farm that brought vegetable to the hospital. They married and after one year when she was pregnant with me they both returned to Germany. They never came back ~ as life is. My parents are dead now and I am thinking of visiting these places where they lived ~ perhaps in summer 2022.

  • Claire reynolds, April 15, 2019 @ 22:09

    My grandmother was there for a long time and she was not a lunitic she had altseimers,would like to find out more about her time there,her name was Elizabeth Reynolds,probably in the 1980s?

  • Carole, March 24, 2019 @ 14:05

    My nana was in Stannington , we used to go and visit as a child . I would love to know how to get her medical records , as she lived in there till she died , and was gentle , I’m sure she suffered from pos5 natal depression, just if this the case it’s so sad .

  • Bob, January 20, 2019 @ 16:32

    My Man worked there in 70s/80s. Kathy Brown

  • tumbles, September 30, 2018 @ 10:07

    See https://www.countyasylums.co.uk and click on the related info tab for St Marys for details on where the records are held.

  • Stuart, August 28, 2018 @ 21:52

    My mam was a patient at st mary’s in the 70s i think does anyone have any info on patient records as she is no longer alive and id like to find out more.. Her name was Annie Elliot nee bertram…

  • Lisa, February 20, 2018 @ 21:30

    Is any of the buildings still left does any one know please??

  • Alfredcook, December 26, 2017 @ 23:07

    Anybody tell me the surname of reg. Who ran the stores in1960 -70s I worked as a painter at that time

  • tumbles, January 13, 2017 @ 10:52

    The tunnels would have been the service tunnels which ran all the hot water/heating pipes througout the buildings. These were all dug up and removed when teh buildings were demolished. They will have been littered with abpestos inside (pipe cladidng) – the pub in the old admin building has some good history/stories in it.

  • Gary, January 11, 2017 @ 09:16

    Hi all, I live at the Villas and would be really interested to hear any stories about the hospital from the years gone by. Can anyone please email me at gary.newman77@outlook.com. I’m also interested in Rich’s comment about tunnels, if anyone has any info please get in touch.

  • Alan Mills, November 9, 2016 @ 19:54

    Hello all, I lived here with my mam Joyce and dad Maurice Mills from about 75 ish and moved away in about 82 but my dad continued working there for a while afterwards. I used to love knocking around in the grounds with my pals, Keith Armstrong, Tony Stevens, Paul Delaney, Keith Cowell, Julie and Lucy Armstrong, Alison Knowles, Iain Frame, Ian Gallon and Wayne Bowmaker who lived down past the sewage works at the pig farm. We started off living in the flats in the nursing home, Flat 9 I think then moved into the GArden Villas, next door to Jack Parker the gardener right next to the playing field with Cricket, tennis courts bowling green etc. A fabulous place to live as a small boy with great friends and tons to do outside in the woods on the sports fields, even going up to the Airstrip at Tranwell on a Sunday to watch the radgies on their motorbikes. I called up there a couple of years ago and took some pics of where I used to live by the sports field, The Nurses home was all blocked off for H&S so couldn’t get near but took me back having a wander around. Such a shame that the new residents of the St Mary’s Hospital, new build houses will NEVER have the same fun as we did as kids there.

  • HG, August 30, 2016 @ 21:29

    I trained and worked at St Mary’s in the 70’s.I will never forget all the caring staff. Reading all those names in previous posts brought back so many happy memories Best wishes to you all.

  • Heather Thomson, July 3, 2016 @ 21:22

    My Great Grandmother was at St Mary’s from approx 1928 to 1958, can anyone recommend where to access medical records from this time since we are keen to find out more. She never saw her daughter (my Gran) again from when she was admitted, my Gran was 7 and recently passed away following many years of dementia. All she would talk about in her final days, was her Mum.

  • Susan Hogan, April 21, 2016 @ 08:49

    Hi everyone I lived at this hospital as a tiny child in the houses at the back Burnholme. They were freezing in the winter brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Fond memories of St Mary’s and the club at Christmas when we were given a brown paper back stacked full of chocolate. Went to the St Mary’s Inn last year on a visit to the UK and had a lump in my throat remembering the happy times living at the hospital and singing on the stage at Christmas. I recognise some of your names above. My parents both worked at the hospital tbeir names are Margaret and John. They live in Oz round the corner from us and we were recently looking at photos……. Where does life go 🙁

  • tumbles, March 2, 2016 @ 08:34

    No it was a mental health hospital. It may have had a mother and baby unit but that would be about it.

  • Angela, March 1, 2016 @ 18:07

    Could someone tell me if St Mary’s was a Hospital for sick Children.

  • Paula, January 23, 2016 @ 00:14

    My mam worked here as a domestic until its closure. Margaret Muldoon… I remember coming up the winding road in my dads works van to pick her up… it was eerie… but my mam had great times there and for me, it represented a happy child hood.

  • Werner, December 16, 2015 @ 01:54

    It’s about 44 years ago I began a career at st Mary’s I remember well most who have left comments and those mentioned,also many more are etched in my memory. Many who are now passed on, including my mother who loved the place.
    I remember the countless patients who passed through the hospital and those who were to live their lives there in what was no doubt a safe haven for them where life had purpose, a sense of belonging and with the support to live it from people who really cared.
    Progress? I wonder what model it’s based on. I’ve no doubt a bean counter could tell me.
    I wish you all well reading this, cheers

  • Irene rigg nee monk, November 20, 2015 @ 17:06

    I started in 1979 as a pupil nurse and was there until it closed. I am still working for the trust, based at Dunston Hill now and still work with some of the old staff, although they all started at St Mary’s many years after me.
    I loved St Mary’s and my husband and I have watched over the years as the site was slowly demolished bit by bit. I am the proud owner of the Eden Villa sign which my husband and son removed for me just before they pulled the building down. I spent most of my earlier years on Female Eldon House and Eden Villa, but also worked on Burnholme, Cheviot House, ward 3 and ward 12 to name a few.
    I always hoped that I would end my career back there, but it wasn’t to be.
    I am retiring next year.
    I have fond memories of lots of people, too many to name them all, but here’s a few,
    Margaret Mendelson, Jackie Johnson {cockney one}, Helen and David Potts,Joan Perrin,
    Nellie Dixon, Dick Barkiss, Paul Manders, Werner Hindmarsh,
    Derek and Jean Stocks, Alan Lockie, Bill Dinning, Jess Buglass, Matty Foster senior, I could go on…..
    I miss the old Union “dos” they were always a great way of keeping in touch, and the annual ball they used to put on in the main hall. The social club where we used to make a pint of lager last all night until one of the nursing officers, (usually Derek Stocks) would come along and buy us a round. Even the old hospital bus slowly pulling down the drive to give us time to run and catch it coz we had called in at the club for a quickie. Good times.

  • Frank Slater, November 4, 2015 @ 10:30

    Booked 2 night stay end of September. Week I arrived had just demolished water tower and half the hall left, very sad to see, seems part of the plan to let the elements in so buildings get in such a state permission is gained to demolish. Now all gone.
    So pleased St Mary’s Inn developed the handsome admin building great accommodation and stay. Visited and met up with a few who still live and bought their houses on the hospital estate, was great to meet up with Ron and Doreen Johnson Bob Armstrong and particularly Jim Delaney who made my stay more enjoyable.
    Will not be leaving it another 20 years for a return visit!

  • KillaPowa, October 26, 2015 @ 10:29

    Gone….literally all but the chapel, Ashley house (bulldozer parked next to it) and obviously the St. Mary’s Inn (old admin building) are gone, demolished. Even the water tower! Majority was still there awaiting a new roof and windows ready for renovation – sudden un-announced change of plans it would seem.

  • malcolm pannifer, September 28, 2015 @ 05:02

    Rember with much fondness my years spent at St Marys from starting as a cadet in 1975 and left 1993. There are many names I recall who have left comments, John pye hello mate. Had a luck in the nurse home stripped bare but could sill remember how it was, happiest times of my life, would never of left if they hadn’t closed it

  • tumbles, July 1, 2015 @ 08:55

    it’s partly still derelict but stripped to bare shell inside.

  • Natasha, June 30, 2015 @ 17:10

    Anyone know if this building is still abandoned and looking like this? Or any abandoned buildings like this I would be able to visit?

  • Jocelyn, June 28, 2015 @ 21:28

    I have been reading with interest the posts about St Mary’s hospital. Can anyone confirm if the Children’s hospital (tuber hospital, was this the same?) was in the same area as St Mary’s hospital or in a different area, if so where?

    Thanks for your help

  • Barry Mcgowran, May 29, 2015 @ 04:36

    I have memories of Frank Slater who chose to train @ St Mary’s instead of Northgate. I think he was happy at Stannington for many years and I think he worked on nights there for a big part of his twenty years

  • Frank Slater, May 27, 2015 @ 22:11

    Further to my earlier note of 2010 there are a few names I remember
    Glynn Hopkinson, Richard Coulthard, Chris Wynne, John Pye, Carol Bissetts father Eric,
    Porteous family rings a bell
    I left in 1986 after 20 years, Nice to see at long last things are moving there and that the reception block is a pub with Bed and Breakfast
    Hope to have a trip back as live in Lincoln now,
    Anyone remembering e mail slater799@aol.com

  • Steve Small, February 17, 2015 @ 20:54

    I was an inmate in 1970 suffering from hallucinations after taking mountains of LSD, only there for a few days but the staff were excellent and took great care of me. Checked myself out by walking down to the village on the Saturday afternoon and never going back.

  • Glyn Hopkinson, January 28, 2015 @ 14:11

    I worked at St Marys from 1976 to 1981. Lived in the Nurses home and later a staff house. Fond memories of SMH, the staff and patients. Sad to see how it is it now.

  • Richard Coulthard, January 1, 2015 @ 14:45

    I worked at St Mary’s from 1963 and moved on in 1975. I started as a Cadet Nurse, entered training1965-68. Post reg. Seconded for General Nurse training 1971-72 (Newcastle Gen. Hosp.) Moved on to Nursing Officer post at Kelso, Scotland.
    Have some fantastic memories of St Mary’s and colleagues & friends I worked with. Shame to see these photo’s but was back there in Dec. 2014 when my sister took me to see the new St Mary’s Inn (Bar & Restaurant) What a diiference. I’ll Be back during 2015 to see further developments. Frank Slater is a name I remember. Are there any others visiting this site?

  • Tufty, April 24, 2014 @ 18:56

    Its great to see comments frome some people that I knew and worked with at St Marys in the 70s . It was a warm friendky place to work at and its sad to see it in such a state

  • tumbles, January 10, 2014 @ 16:10

    There is very little left.

  • RobynK, January 7, 2014 @ 19:51

    Hey, I’m looking for abandoned building in the cumbria/Newcastle area for my media project I have to for my GCSEs and I was wondering if there is still any of this beautiful building left and if so how to get in it.
    Many Thanks.

  • Bret, October 5, 2013 @ 11:44

    I was a cleaner and medical records clerk right until closure in 1995. I worked on most wards at different times, including the mortuary on the odd occasion. Supervision and colleagues were unique characters. It was my first job. I’d cycle from Morpeth through corn fields at Tramwell. Put in a shift, had to dodge the head-cracked-eggs-and-rice- crispies treatment on my last day as a cleaner – thanks Michael Robson, Davey Stoddart, Karen Grimes – great bunch to work with! Sunday afternoon lunch hour in the St Mary’s club, fantastic. Cleaning cutlery trays in creaking 40’s style drawers, scraping unmentionables of toilet pans at 8am before a breakfast with the nursing team of baked beans, bacon, buttered toast. Then back to mopping corridors and trying to not to let the residents escape by jamming a coat hanger under a door to keep it open for the hoover cable. Ward manager had to tell me off for that one, what if an old dear wanders off? dies of hypothermia? what would we tell the relatives?.. Stocking up the NHS issue biscuit selection boxes for the endless tea runs. Ward life revolved around the next tea run. In elderley dementia care, tea is time, tea is king, tea is next so sit down and drink it, life is too short…
    I’m still deep cleaning some of those corridors and clinical areas in the back of my mind. Loose ends, the job was never done, they closed it before I’d finished. I will be found, when I’ve finally lost it, back on a ward past midnight, scrubbing at a rotting skirting with a jay cloth, grinning and waiting on Betty Stoker’s inspection, to see if I’d done it to standard.

  • carole bisset :-) nee ellerby:-), February 9, 2013 @ 11:02

    I was brought up at St Marys from aged 3 till I moved out of family home aged 23 in 1985 My dad was a state enrolled nurse at the hospital we lived at 29 the villas, I have many good memories of being a child there every year in the main building ,they held a children’s Christmas party for all the children that lived on the estate , everyone new each other,and look out for one another such a shame it now looks so derelict, although thought the main building is listed would make a good hotel.

  • chris wynn, December 18, 2012 @ 20:34

    i trained at st mary’s from 1977 and left in 1982 it is so sad to see a building like that deteriorate to that extent.

  • John Pye, November 10, 2012 @ 15:53

    I was a Cadet Nurse, Student Nurse and Staff Nurse at this hospital in the 70’s. I have very fond memories of working at St Mary’s. Unfortunately, I havent been able to keep in touch with the fantastic people I met during my time at the hospital………I sincerely hope all is well with all my friends and colleagues I worked with during my time at St Mary’s……..they were great times !…… 🙂

  • scott hall, July 7, 2012 @ 14:06

    I worked there from 1989 to 1994 it was a good job miss the place

  • tumbles, May 8, 2012 @ 08:31

    Part demolished

  • sam, May 4, 2012 @ 00:06

    does this place still exist or has it been demolished?

  • Rich, March 11, 2011 @ 16:26

    Good photo’s there. And an excellent site may I ad. I’ve been up to StMary’s on a number of ocasions and found the place beautiful yet sad for the state its in. The tunnels underneath the hospital are a different world and we’ve had some funny experiences down there, got photo’s of something I cant really explain down there, directly under the old laundry! I haven’y been in about 10 months now but I belive that the whole site is well underway with the demolition. The old StMary’s social club was still stocked up with beer and spirits, although well out of date with half the roof collapsed in!

  • carolmorrison, January 10, 2011 @ 20:49

    I was born at St marys and have no information about my mother etc. I was adopted and no-one would speak about her or give me any onformation. I am now 62 and would like to find out more information as my adoptive parents have now passed away. I was born in 1948 and my mother was Jessie LIttle. I know its a long shot but if anyone could give me inforamation or point me i the rigt direction I would be obliged.

  • Frank Slater, October 9, 2010 @ 21:50

    I trained and worked at St Mary’s for 20 years and attended reunion on its closure in 1995
    Its a pity developement has taken so long
    There will not be much of the listed buildings left to salvage by the state of the place

  • Wyn Porteous, October 5, 2010 @ 09:58

    I lived at St Marys for 18 years and have fond memories of a great place to grow up,
    both my parents worked there and we wanted for nothing, how sad to see it now!!!

  • LD, April 4, 2010 @ 19:54

    interesting to see whats left. I remember the hospital while it was still open.

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