Hexham House And Nuclear Bunker
Building Hexham Northumberland

Hexham House And Nuclear Bunker

Building In Hexham, Northumberland

Historic 18th Century Grade II Listed Building and Grounds now used as a Registry Office with space for ceremonies and on-site accommodation, whilst the basement includes the remains of a Cold War Nuclear Bunker.

There's a saying in the North East (and it's a personal favourite) 'shy bairns get nowt'. I've always had an interest in Cold War history and an article in the Hexham Courant back in 2023 piqued my interest with the headline "1980s nuclear bunker found underneath Hexham House". This set in motion a steely determination to visit, however, that was not straight forward given the bunker itself is not ordinarily open to the public. What started with a conversation with the Hexham Local History Society led to a conversation with someone else and so forth until eventually we were put in contact with the lovely caretaker of Hexham House who very kindly agreed to show us around. Over a year on from learning of the bunker the perseverance paid off proving that it was worth asking after all! It was fascinating to see not only the bunker but the beautiful historic building and grounds as well.

Hexham House was built in the 18th century and is a Grade II listed building. It was originally built for Rev. Thomas Andrews who was a lecturer at Hexham Abbey. It was later used as a Boarding School and Library before it was bought by the Council in 1928 for use as their offices. It is now a Registry Office, has two spaces for wedding ceremonies and also has apartments which can be rented. It has lovely grounds which overlook Hexham Abbey and can be explored for free.

The grounds include a bowls lawn and a bubbling burn. It's a peaceful place away from the hustle and bustle of the town centre. The excellent Buildings of England Northumberland by Nikolaus Pevsner & Ian Richmond includes this interesting tidbit about the bridge in the grounds over the burn: "in the grounds to the sw, a little bridge over the Cowgarth Burn [...] along with the embattled screen wall behind [...] looks early 19th century gothic, but close inspection (which may entail getting one's feet wet) reveals the four chamfered ribs of a 13th century predecessor beneath". Something to keep eyes open for (and hopefully dry feet!) if visiting.

The basement of Hexham House hides something of particular interest. It contains the remains of a Cold War nuclear bunker. The same is not ordinarily open to the public, but we were lucky enough to receive a tour. In the 1980s it was decided that there needed to be a Northern Hub in the event of a nuclear attack. Hexham was chosen as the location by the then Tynedale District Council. Initially the plan was to build the bunker at the Old Jaol, but instead they excavated the basement of the 18th century Hexham House in 1986.

The plan was that Leon Brittan who was Home Secretary at the time (and MP for Richmond, Yorkshire) would be in charge in the bunker with support from the Police, Armed Forces and ancillary staff. The Civil Defence plan assumed that if there were a nuclear attack ordinary governance would be put on hold and there would need to be regional commissioners who would have full control of their respective region.

The entrance to the bunker is marked by a huge door which would be closed and sealed in the event of a nuclear attack. There was another such door in the bunker. This led directly downstairs and the bunker itself is split across several rooms. The decontamination shower greets you at the foot of the stairs. There is a small kitchen area with some rather uncomfortable looking seating! Certainly not luxurious! Parts of the bunker have curved ceilings so you do have to mind your head. We were told on the tour that the bunker is often cold and there were plans to use the space as an archive for the Registry Office. We were also shown a very old safe which had been left in situ as it was too bulky to move so has simply been left!

Notably there was criticism of the Hexham House bunker, a former UK Atomic Energy Authority research fellow and university lecturer suggested that a stone built structure like Hexham House would simply collapse and entomb the occupants of the bunker if a nuclear attack was made in the North East. Thankfully this was never tested. A group called Northumbrians for Peace protested the bunker on Christmas Day in 1986 affixing a banner on Hexham House which read 'BUNKERS ARE BONKERS'.

In addition, two protesters stood on the excavated soil with paper bags on their heads which read 'nuclear fall-out shelter'. They were arguing that the bunker was as useful as the bags on their heads. Some councils rejected the Civil Defence Plan proudly proclaiming they were nuclear free. Indeed Newcastle Council were one such council declaring the city to be 'nuclear free' in 1982.

Alongside the Hexham House bunker was a larger complex which was situated where Travelodge, McDonalds and a long stay car park are now situated (near Tesco's). This complex was a former cold store which was converted into a large nuclear bunker in the 1980s. It would have been the Post War Regional Government Headquarters. The bunker was demolished in the 90s and sadly there are no traces left.

The Hexham House Bunker stands as a monument to the nuclear threat in the North East, but for most passing this building it's underground history is largely forgotten. How many people have been married above the bunker without even knowing what was below them?

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How To Find Hexham House And Nuclear Bunker

Where Is Hexham House And Nuclear Bunker?

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Lat / Long

54.972561, -2.103681

What three words

amplified.alert.kilt

Where To Park For Hexham House And Nuclear Bunker?

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Lat / Long

54.971526, -2.101442

What three words

reunion.emperor.mainly

Plenty of parking in Hexham City Centre, closest parking is either Hexham Market Square or short stay along Beaumont Street (opposite the Sele Park).

Contributed by Sean Linley

A keen walker and wildlife enthusiast and dog dad originally from Leeds but a Newcastle resident for 10 years with a passion for history and heritage. Always curious about my local area and always on the lookout for something new. You’ll often find me studying the OS map for new places to explore!

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Hexham House And Nuclear Bunker was listed in Building // Northumberland // Hexham