Workhouse & Old Mortuary

Bellingham Poor Law Union formally came into existence on 20th October 1836.

Bellingham Union workhouse was built in 1839 and accommodated 53 inmates. It was somewhat unusual in that it instead of following any of the Poor Law Commissioners' model plans, its design was more typical of local farmhouses.

The main workhouse block is a two-storey square building that at some point became known as Fountain Cottage due to its proximity to the Boer War Memorial fountain that was located at the nearby junction of Woodburn Road. It was enlarged in 1874 at a cost of £700.

The block to the rear was probably used as an infirmary and may be the 1874 enlargement. Several outbuildings surround the yard to the north which contained vagrants' accommodation as well as an on-site mortuary.

The establishment finally closed its doors in 1931 and the remaining half-dozen inmates transferred to the Hexham Institution. The main building was reconditioned in 1937 and later came into the ownership of the Bellingham Rural District Council before transferring to Tynedale District Council where it housed the library, doctors surgery, council offices, tourist information office and later a tea room.                             

The outbuildings were converted to the private houses you see today.

The main building and old mortuary were renovated in 2019 by their current owners and are now a stylish cafe and B&B.

1921 Map Showing Union Workhouse

Fountain Cottage in 2001

Fountain Cottage Cafe and B&B in 2020