northumbrian : light

By RobinDown

Tynedale Hydro ...

... according to geograph.co.uk ... the story of the hotel and its exotic gardens began in 1874 when Westfield, an impressive Italianate house, failed to reach its reserve price at auction. Local grocer and wholesale merchant John Hope, who had his premises on Fore Street, spotted his opportunity to fulfil his ambition of opening a health hydro in the town. With a group of friends, he formed the Tynedale Hydropathic Establishment Company and raised £30,000 through a share release. They bought Westfield House and 18 acres of its land, added a new wing and opened for business in August 1879. Turkish baths with plunge pools, hot seaweed baths and bottles of spa water brought in daily from Haydon Spa were all de rigeur for guests. The buildings are now part of the Queen Elizabeth High School.
For years it was hidden by some utilitarian school buildings dating from the 60s (I am guessing) - fortunately they have been demolished and the Hydro has now taken centre stage again.

And, playing on Radio Sandhoe today: Iron & wine - Lovesong of the Buzzard

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