Keelmen's Hospital

The Tyne ' keelmen' were a close-knit, colourful river community until late in 19th century. They worked on large, shallow boats that carried coal from the rivers' banks to waiting collier ships.

Built through contributions from the crews, the Keelmen's Hospital, a cloister of 50 chambers around a grassed courtyard for sick and aged keelmen and their families, was completed in 1701.

The Hospital became an early site for John Wesley's preaching services and his brother, Charles, was appointed by the keelmen to be their chaplain.

The site is unoccupied and is not accessible to the public.