In 1699 the keelmen of Newcastle decided to build the Keelmen's Hospital, a charitable foundation for sick and aged keelmen and their families. The keelmen agreed to contribute one penny a tide from the wages of each keel's crew and Newcastle Corporation made land available in Sandgate.
The hospital was completed in 1701 at a cost of £2,000. It consisted of fifty chambers giving onto a cloister enclosing a grass court. One matter of contention relating to the hospital was that the funds for its maintenance were kept in the control of the Hostmen, lest they be used as a strike fund by the keelmen.
The hospital building still remains in City Road, and was used for student accommodation for a while. It has stood vacant since the closure of the student accommodation, and was added to the Heritage at Risk register in 2009.
The Tyne and Wear Building Preservation Trust (TWBPT), Newcastle City Council and Historic England joined forces in 2024 in an attempt to finally secure a viable future for the at-risk site which has resulted in plans to turn it into 20 flats available to rent. Work is expected to begin in April 2026.
Hopefully I can chart the process here on this site, but more than anything I would love a look a round inside before the work starts.
Description courtesy of Wikipedia.
December 2025
Keelmans Hospital.
2 visits in December 2025 and there didn't seem to be much happening.
T.C. Tree Services.
Not a great look from this company forcing a parent with a pram onto the road, it's as well the road was quiet. With the nearby door to the hospital being open I'm assuming this company was working inside the grounds, but I am willing to be corrected.
November 2025
8th November 2022
17th February 2022
14th December 2021
10th February 2021
15th December 2020
21st September 2020
24th December 2018
7th October 2014
8th June 2014
6th March 2012
The building has now been empty for some time and it looks like it is falling into a state of disrepair which is a real shame as it is a fantastic building packed with history.
8th June 2007
24th May 2007
More Information:
- Wikipedia: Keelmans Hospital
- Co-Curate: Keelman's Hospital
- Historic England At Risk Register, The Keelmen's Hospital
- Sitelines: City Road, Keelman's Hospital
- Sitelines: City Road, Keelman's Hospital, clock and sundial
- North of England Civic Trust: Keelmans Hospital
See my other photos around City Road: