The building was opened in June 1873 by the Marquis of Cholmondeley. Latterly Hazelwood was maintained by the Y.M.C.A as a holiday home for young business men.  The building was of palatial character with a central spire and standing in extensive grounds overlooking the railway.A new wing was added in the 1900's  with a central post office mailing box built into the wall outside, which acted as a super "aid memoir" to remind the young men to write home!

During World War II the building was used as a billet for the Royal Marines, there was a gun implacemnet on the roof and several ammo dumps scattered around the grounds. During an air raid on February 4th 1943 a German Focke Wulf 190 was straffing the town and let go a sticks of bombs that struck the house. Casualties were four mairnes and several injured and the house was left in ruins as can be seen from the photograph. 

The building remained empty unto the 1950's whne it was finally decided to demolish it and became a residential close for a number of new buildings.