Top 15 Attractions in Morpeth, Northumberland

Situated on a bend of the River Wansbeck, Morpeth is a historic market town developed around two medieval castles established to safeguard the crossing.

Morpeth is an excellent choice for those who appreciate towns with distinctive character and flourishing local enterprises such as independent food shops, boutiques, cafes, and design outlets located on Newgate Street.

The town features one of the few remaining medieval chantry bridge chapels in the UK, while the elegant Carlisle Park offers a riverside path and a Tudor-style garden dedicated to the prominent 16th-century herbalist William Turner, a native of Morpeth.

In just a few minutes, visitors can access family-friendly attractions such as the Northumberland Country Zoo, as well as the wild beaches and dune landscapes of the Northumberland coast.

1. Wallington Hall

In 1942, Labour Party MP Sir Charles Trevelyan donated his ancestral residence to the National Trust.

This donation included the William and Mary-style hall house, constructed in 1688, along with its gardens and over 13,000 acres of farmland on the western side of Morpeth Borough.

Wallington Hall is a vital destination, showcasing opulent 18th-century interiors adorned with stucco work by the Italian artist Pietro Lafrancini.

The central living hall was reimagined under the guidance of the botanist and natural historian Sir Walter Calverley Trevelyan (1797-1879), who was acquainted with the artist, writer, and art critic John Ruskin.

Crowned with a coved ceiling and balustrade, this hall features floral patterns and eight depictions from Northumbrian history, some created by Ruskin himself.

Wallington Hall also boasts a remarkable collection of antique dollhouses, while the expansive estate offers extensive signposted hiking routes of up to six miles through gently rolling terrain.

2. Church of St Mary

The predecessors of the parish church were destroyed during Viking raids, and the current Church of St Mary suffered damage at the hands of Scottish troops and Parliamentarian forces.

The church mostly dates back to the 14th century, with some Early English Gothic influences from the preceding century.

The nave and aisle roofs feature medieval timber, and the south arcade is adorned with Gothic capitals showcasing foliate motifs.

Be sure to view the 14th-century Tree of Jesse depicted in the east window; additional 14th-century glass can be found in the south aisle.

Perhaps most notably, the grave of Emily Davison (1872-1913) lies within. This suffragette, whose parents hailed from Morpeth, perished when she was struck by King George V’s horse at the 1913 Derby.

It is believed she risked her life to run onto the course in an effort to attach a women’s rights banner to the horse.

Her grave bears the Women’s Social and Political Union slogan, “Deeds not words.”

3. Morpeth Chantry

A charming complement to the historic stone bridge crossing the River Wansbeck, Morpeth Chantry on the north bank originates from the late 13th century.

It is one of only five remaining bridge chantries in the UK and also functioned as a toll house for the bridge.

Chantries, designed for almsmen to pray for the soul of a benefactor, were abolished during the Reformation, at which time the Morpeth Chantry was deconsecrated and repurposed into a school, remaining in that capacity until 1859. This venerable Gothic structure now accommodates Morpeth’s tourist information office, along with a craft centre and a bagpipe museum, details of which will be discussed next.

4. Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum

Bagpipes hold significant cultural relevance in Northumberland, with the region having its own variant of bellows-blown bagpipe known as the Northumbrian smallpipes.

The museum showcases the collection of William Alfred Cocks (1892-1971), a master clockmaker from Ryton who devoted years to amassing an extensive range of bagpipes, musical manuscripts, and books.

The bagpipes were brought to Morpeth in 1987, and the collection also includes numerous Border pipes and Northumbrian smallpipes, along with musical materials and Cocks’ extensive photographic documentation.

Live performances featuring these instruments occur monthly thanks to the Northumbrian Pipers’ Society and the Chantry Lasses, while the museum takes a prominent role during the Northumbrian Gathering festival every April.

5. Carlisle Park

Located on the southern bank of the River Wansbeck, Morpeth’s delightful town park has received a Green Flag Award and was recognized as the “best park” by Northumbria in Bloom in 2018. Established in 1929, Carlisle Park is continually undergoing enhancements.

In 1999, the Tudor-style William Turner Garden was created to honor the 16th-century herbalist from Morpeth, and the park boasts a unique working floral clock, one of only four in the UK, which was restored in 2018. An additional new feature is the poignant statue commemorating suffragette Emily Davison.

On the eastern side, visitors can find Ha’ Hill, the earthen mound of a Norman motte-and-bailey castle constructed in 1095, along with a paddling pool for toddlers and small children available during the summer months.

6. Whitehouse Farm Centre

Families with younger children will find the Whitehouse Farm Centre to be an ideal destination for a day out.

In addition to a variety of farm animals, including rare breeds, the farm features birds of prey, reptiles, small, cuddly animals, and even exotic creatures such as meerkats, emus, wallabies, and marmoset monkeys.

A visit to the farm offers a whirlwind of experiences like feeding lambs from a bottle, interacting with friendly animals, grooming goats, and learning about the playful meerkats and owls during “meet and greets.” The farm also provides tractor rides, go-karting, and indoor and outdoor play areas, alongside a kitchen that emphasizes locally sourced ingredients and a gift shop.

7. Northumberland Coast Path

Cresswell in Morpeth serves as the southern point for a 62-mile walking trail that showcases some of the most picturesque and secluded coastal landscapes in Europe.

The Northumberland Coast Path offers constantly evolving and breathtaking scenery, featuring expansive sandy beaches interwoven with dunes and punctuated by striking rocky formations.

As the route reaches Amble, it enters the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The path is steeped in history, with remnants spanning 7,000 years, including landmarks such as the 14th-century Dunstanburgh Castle and Lindisfarne Monastery on the tidal island of the same name.

8. Druridge Bay Country Park

At the beginning of the trail lies this scenic country park, which spans seven miles of sandy beaches and features a grassy lake nestled between Cresswell and Amble.

Druridge Bay is largely untouched by modern development, with minimal remnants of 19th-century coal mining found within the surrounding woodland, alongside coastal fortifications such as pillboxes and anti-tank blocks from World War II.

Visitors may encounter occasional walkers or surfers, as well as flocks of swans and rare wading birds foraging during low tide.

The park includes a café and a play area for children, as well as a visitor center offering information on the local nature and walking trails.

9. Northumberland Country Zoo

Visitors seeking animal-related experiences can enjoy this recently established zoo, situated on 17 acres of Northumbrian countryside.

The zoo is continually expanding and currently houses more than 50 species of animals.

Among these are smaller mammals such as Asian short-clawed otters, Canadian lynxes, skunks, porcupines, capybaras, llamas, ring-tailed lemurs, and wallabies.

Additionally, the zoo features a hot house dedicated to exotic invertebrates and reptiles, along with aviaries for birds of prey, as well as farm animals including donkeys, Shetland ponies, goats, pigs, sheep, and cattle in paddocks.

True to the best zoo experiences, Northumberland Country Zoo offers all-day feeding opportunities and a “mini beast show” in the hot house.

10. Sanderson Arcade

Morpeth is the type of town that may inspire a shopping spree, particularly along Newgate Street and Oldgate, which feature unique fashion boutiques, sewing shops, design stores, bakeries, greengrocers, galleries, specialty food shops, and character-filled cafés.

Eastward along Bridge Street is the luxurious Sanderson Arcade, constructed in 1939, which showcases a blend of well-known brands and unique local shops.

While familiar names such as Clarks, Marks & Spencer, Hobbs, Paperchase, and Laura Ashley are present, there are also hidden gems like the Morpeth Larder, a delicatessen and coffee shop known for its pies, quiches, and tarts.

11. Stanton Hall Gardens

Open from April to September during the growing season, these gardens are affiliated with a nursery and garden center and are free for visitors.

Stanton Hall began as a market garden over 40 years ago and has gradually developed into a nursery specializing in perennials, trees, and shrubs.

This tranquil location is distinctly different from a commercial garden center and is designed to inspire visitors by showcasing the potential of the plants available for purchase.

Visitors will discover numerous unique features crafted from recycled materials and can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee from the cozy café.

12. Morpeth Clock Tower

Nestled among the independent shops on Oldgate is a notable historical landmark just off the Market Place.

The Morpeth Clock Tower stands at just under 20 meters high and was constructed in the early decades of the 17th century, utilizing reconstituted Medieval stone most likely sourced from the nearby Newminster Abbey, resulting in its rustic appearance.

This structure has served various purposes throughout its history, once functioning as a gaol up until 1802 and later as a meat storage facility.

The clock’s six bells, cast in 1706 by renowned founder Richard Phelps, are rung by a group of volunteer bell-ringers established in the same year. They can be heard on Remembrance Sunday, Armistice Day in November, on New Year’s Day, during the Northumbrian Gathering festival in April, and during the Morpeth Summer Fair Day in early June.

13. Belsay Hall and Gardens

Located approximately ten miles southwest of Morpeth, Belsay Hall is an English Heritage site.

Built during the 1810s for Sir Charles Monck, who resided at the medieval Belsay Castle located on the same estate, Belsay Hall represents a prime example of the fashionable Greek Revival architectural style, being the first country house in Britain to fully embrace this design.

Constructed from sandstone quarried on the estate, the quarry itself was transformed into a picturesque garden.

The house remains unfinished, which is evident in the pillar hall, where the light-filled atrium is framed by Ionic columns.

The family bedrooms still retain original fireplace grates and feature floral-patterned wallpaper from the early 1800s.

The gardens hold a Grade I listing and boast one of the UK’s largest collections of rhododendrons, including varieties that bloom in winter, situated in the Quarry Garden with its unique microclimate.

Both the Magnolia Terrace and Yew Garden are also essential highlights to explore.

14. Bothal Castle

This enchanting castle and stately residence is not accessible to the public, but is worth a detour for an exterior view.

Located just a couple of miles from Morpeth, the castle comes into view on the banks of the river as you enter the village of Bothal.

Home to the Cavendish-Bentinck family since 1591, Bothal Castle predates the Norman Conquest and achieved its modern features during the construction of the curtain wall and gatehouse in 1343.

The stately residence exhibits Gothic Revival architecture, which harmonizes with the medieval walls built in the 1840s.

15. Farmers’ Market

If you find yourself in Morpeth on the first Saturday of the month, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the farmers’ market, operating from 09:00 to 15:00. For those interested in food provenance, it is noteworthy that most products at the market have originated within a 50-mile radius, apart from a couple of specialty stalls. Attending the market supports local businesses, contributing to the community’s economy.

Among the variety of offerings are locally roasted coffee, sausages, venison, ginger wine, freshly baked pies and quiches, honey, fish and shellfish, plants from specialized nurseries, and gourmet seasonal sauces.