Ham Green’s vital role in Bristol’s health
An historic mansion near Bristol that has played vital roles in the health of the city for 200 years is now welcoming organisations and businesses that want to use its facilities for retreats, away-days and well-being events.
Ham Green House, a Grade II listed Georgian Mansion set in superb grounds has seen many changes over the years including the building of a modern therapeutic wing with its history linked to the changing health needs of the area.
It first became associated with health as the family home of physician Richard Bright, who made breakthroughs in research into the causes and symptoms of kidney disease.
In 1894 to cope with smallpox and typhoid outbreaks in the city, Bristol Corporation bought the house and turned it into an isolation hospital so that people could be treated outside the city. Being at the entrance to the River Avon anyone arriving with a likely infectious disease was taken off ships at Pill and treated at the isolation hospital to avoid pandemics sweeping the city.
Over the years hundreds of cases of Scarlett Fever and Diphtheria were treated and in 1923 the adjoining Chapel Pill Farm was acquired by the Ministry of Health and Bristol Corporation and a larger block of hospital property was created, including accommodation for medical staff.
Ham Green Hospital was extended with a sanatorium in the 1930s, providing convalescent care for people after treatment. It also became a centre for treating tuberculosis
When the NHS was formed after the Second World War Ham Green became an acute hospital, eventually run as part of the Southmead Group. In 1974 it was the first hospital in the country to have a specialist unit for chronically sick children, who had previously been treated in geriatric wards.
In 1978 parts of the hospital were developed as the regional centre for the treatment of infectious and exotic diseases.
Since 1983 the buildings and grounds have been owned by Penny Brohn UK, supporting people to live well with Cancer. It was opened by Prince Charles, now King. The charity developed the grounds and buildings into a wellbeing centre that has supported thousands of people with cancer.
Since the covid pandemic the charity has continued the successful online delivery it started initially as a necessity, enabling its services to reach a wider audience, alongside its in-person service from the centre. The charity has successfully diversified its income stream by opening up its facilities to organisations and individuals seeking a venue for health & wellbeing activities and thus evolving a new and exciting phase of the property’s history.
Dida Moore, Head of Sales and Customer Relations at Penny Brohn UK said: “The building and grounds over the years has reflected the health needs of local people. Today the stresses and strains of modern life mean that many organisations are looking for healthcare and well-being solutions.
“As well as beautiful, landscaped grounds we have 26 bedrooms and full conference facilities so we can offer everything from a meeting venue indoors or outside in nature to an overnight retreat and full-day conference.”
Ham Green House is close to the M5 Gordano junction so is proving popular with those who have staff travelling from further afield. Organisations and businesses using the venue also know that fees they pay go to support the work of the Penny Brohn UK charity.
For more information about the rooms and facilities available for hire, please contact dida.moore@pennybrohn.org.uk or visit hamgreenhouse.org.uk
