Cherry Knowle
Architect G.T. Hine
Opened Completed 1895
Patients lots
Closed 1998
Other Superintendents residence, Isolation Hospital , and a villa block which was added in 1902
In 1891 the borough of Sunderland decided to construct a psychiatric facility in Ryhope. This was due to the thoughts of the time that lagre open spaces good views and fresh air could relax a troubled mind. Ryhope was chosen for exactly this purpose.
The well renowned architect G.T. Hine was chosen to design the hospital. It is a compact arrow echelon plan design with six wards either side of the central
communal, administrative and amenity buildings.
The main hall is very different than most designed by Hine, it is a double floored structure with the Main Hall on the ground floor and the chapel above and although structurally amazing it does leave the stage area in the hall looking cramped and the stage gantries are squashed into a tiny ceiling space which I imagine was quite hard to stage event which centred on the stage!
After the NHS take over in 1948 the hospital changed its name to Cherry Knowle Hospital (originally it was call Sunderland Borough Asylum) and the wards were renamed The Laurels East (former male side) and The Laurels West (former female side). Gradually Care in the Community replaced long stay hospital treatment and Cherry Knowle was shut in 1998.
There are plans to build a new hospital on the site of Cherry Knowle and sadly it does not seem as if any of the original building will be included in this plan, which is
sad as although parts are very plain, it is quite unique for a G. T. Hine. The tall pointed roof structures on the administration have always stood out as a feature as has the double storey Main Hall and Chapel.
Unlike many structures that English Partnerships have taken over, Cherry Knowle has one of the worst security and securing policies I have seen, which allows kids and vandals to access the property easily and there have been at least 2 BIG fires 
in the last few years. It is almost as if EP cannot wait for Cherry Knowle to become so trashed that Heritage conservationists have no choice other than to admit that it is not worth saving. I find it amazing that Cane Hill can have £350,000 pounds spent on it per year for security and West Park has an infa-red grid security system costing even more and poor Cherry Knowle is left to an unceremonious ending.