Our History

Sunderland born Tom Maxfield had enjoyed a spectacular business career. He joined burgeoning Newcastle based enterprise software company Sage in 1984 as Sales Director, and helped establish it as a successful multi-million pound global operation. Having become a main board director, he left Sage in 1997 after the death of his wife, wishing to find a new purpose in life.

A fortuitous flying lesson took him over Seaham Hall that very same year, and he recognised the potential of the dilapidated building below. He bought the whole estate with the objective of turning it in to the North East's first 5 star hotel.

After four years of hard work, and a considerable financial investment, Tom unveiled the luxurious Seaham Hall Hotel on 19 March 2001. Thereafter, he opened the purpose built Serenity Spa in the grounds in December 2002.