Morpeth Walk

Getting to Morpeth

Train; Road outside the Station,, keep left, down the hill straight on at the roundabout stop at the gates of the park on the left.
Bus; Leave bus at Police Station/ Old Town Goal/ Carlisle Park. All in the same area.
Car, Follow A197. Goal & police station on the right check parking availability in the area on the left nr. entrance to Carlisle Park, or continue over the bridge, turn right car parking immediate right. From North leave AI through the Town Rt 2nd roundabout

History

A picturesque Market Town (county town of Northumberland) situated on a meandering loop of the river Wansbeck (`waggon bridge most likely derived from Anglo-Saxon `Waeganspick'. Town Motto is "Inter Sylvas et Flumina Habitans" -Living amid the Woods and Waters. It grew as a Coaching Stop on the London-Edinburgh route which crossed the ‘moors-path’ into the settlement or alternative called the `Murder Path', from with the bloody border history of the County of Northumberland.
It suffered regularly from Scottish attacks. The most savage attack was not from the Scots. In 1216 it was sacked and burned on instructions of King John of England which followed disagreements between the king and local barons.
Castles Never a walled Town did have a castle of the ‘motte’ style, of which only the mound remains at the Ha' Hill overlooking the town's park. In the Civil War a second castle was occupied by the Scots. A garrison of 500 Scots held out against An English Royalists army for twenty days. In 1715 the town supported the first Jacobite Rising, to put James Stuart, on the throne. Unlike Newcastle who were supporters of King George.

Begin the Walk

Begin at Carlisle Park.

The Park
Gifted to the town in 1916 by it owner the Countess of Carlisle it is famed for its annual splendour of flowers, shrubs and trees. Enter the park by the main (gates) entrance. The crests on the gates are of the Carlisle and Corporation. All three of Morpeth’s Castles can be seen from the park. Browse the park and leave by the main entrance to continue the walk.

County Goal
With your back to the park gates. On the other side of the road is a magnificent stone building. The building now housing luxury apartments and Leisure facility was designed by Newcastle architect Dobson, originally served as a prison 1826-1882 then as court house until it closed in 1980.
Looking on, left is Castle Sq. and beyond the traffic lights is Telford Bridge.

Castle Square and Telford Bridge 1831
Telford Bridge
Designed by Dobson. Crossing the river Wansbeck it links the Town to the South. Opened in 1831 few people would pay the toll, preferring still to use the old bridge. The Town Council's solution was to blow up the old bridge with gunpowder leaving only (see Chantry Bridge below) as can be seen today.
Do not cross the bridge: In front is a small triangular car park called Castle Square with The Waterford Pub. On the right side of the car park the path and road go on to Telford Bridge. Before the bridge is a pelican pedestrian crossing. Approaching on the left side stands a small building which was the ‘toll’ house. Looking over the bridge on the right side is St. George’s United reform Church. 1860.
Turn round at the toll house. Follow the path to the right. Benfield Car sales garage on the opposite side of the road. Staying on the right pavement, take the next right at the Joiner’s Arms Pub. Wansbeck Street. Walking toward another bridge.

Chantry Bridge 13c
Here stood the original double arched stone ‘hump-back’ bridge. The central support for the original bridge can still be seen holding up the current one.
Crossing over the bridge it is traditional to feed the ducks! Looking to the right is Telford Bridge with further views of St. Georges Church. At the end of Chantry Bridge to the left were once large stables to the right is a building called The Chantry.

The Chantry 1296 ..Mon-Sat 1000--1700.. Summer Sundays & BH 11am-4pm
One of only five "bridge chantries" left in England. Built as a place for saying prayers and holding mass. Closed by Henry VIII reopened 1552 as a school by charter granted by Edward VI. The school continued in the West End of the building until 1856. Prayers were transferred in 1846 to the church of St. James.
The building today is not the original. In the 18C the shape of the building was altered. The North still remains and the overall layout is similar. The windows and building size were enlarged. Pillars were added to allow for an additional chapel. Later used as a public meeting hall. In the last century as a natural mineral water bottling plant, until 1975.
Today the building houses a Bagpipe Museum, Tourist Information Centre, a Crafts Centre and a tea-room. See plaque on building to Dr. William Turner.
Out of the building and you are onto the main shopping street Bridge Street. The street, until the A1 road by-passed the Town, carried the entire town Traffic as well as that of the main London-Edinburgh route.
Turn left onto Bridge Street.
The Chantry
The Bagpipe Museum 

Bridge Street
Is the Main Street, the Front Street of the Town. The Town and the street developed simultaneously. Cross over to the Black Bull turning left to walk toward the clock tower in the distance.

Black Bull Hotel 18C
Black Bull Pub with its bow fronted windows. Once had many stables attached to the rear of the building.
Continuing on Bridge Street. Opposite was once J.S.Mail and Son’s ‘Ironmonger’ once one of the most interesting shops in the Town. Lunn Poly travel shop or the Old Goal.

Old Goal 16C
Continuing on. On the other side of the street is The Old Goal or County Goal (prison) stood where Lunn Poly and Cancer Research shops now stand. It ceased to be used early in the 19C when the new one was built in Castle Square. The building has since been used as a Brewery and shops. Nothing is left inside of the goal and the front has been renewed and restored leaving no evidence of its previous occupiers. Further on is Rutherford’s department store and the elegant Queens Head Hotel.
Continuing on mingled into the shop fronts is the entrance to Rigg’s Shopping Arcade In front to the left is the Clock Tower standing at the entrance to Old Gate. The new paved and seating area is called Market Place. On the next corner Old Gate meets Newgate. Bridge Street and Market Street. The new mini roundabout replaces the missing Hallon Fountain. NOW WHERE IS HALLON FOUNTAIN?? It has been moved to house the new mini roundabout!
Opposite the paved area is the Old Town Hall.

Old Town Hall
The first was built on the site of an old toll booth. The second built in 1715 was designed by Vanburgh. The third and current building built 1870 maintained the Vanburgh style frontage. The ground floor housed regular indoor market. In the early 20^th C the building was given to the town by Lord Joicey. The stairway and chambers are filled with paintings reminding visitors of Morpeth’s history. On the first floor is a magnificent ballroom with adjoining council chambers.

Hallon Fountain missing? Donated to the town by Mary Trotter who born in the town married a rich ‘titled’ business man from York. Moving to York she presented Morpeth with the fountain which stands now on the site of the old Market Cross. She also donated money and presents once a year to those less fortunate people of the town. To a car park and the Norman Style Church of St James the Great built 1845.

Newgate
Turning right at Joe’s pet shop. On the corner stand Moss Chemist and Lloyds Bank, the previous occupants Simm and Webb had a chemists shop on the site dating back to 1836. Stay on the right side of the street passing ‘Joe’s’  Shop. Continuing up the street on the right side is The White Swann Pub and TG Allan’s stationers, hard to imagine the building was once an old Inn. The street itself was noted for its Alleys and Inns several of which have long since gone.
Further on and opposite is the stone front of the Conservative Club with its coach entrance ‘Wigham’s Yard’, leading to the rear where the old Grammar School stood. See also the Dovetail Pine shop and the archway to Mains Place. Continuing up the street on the right is Monkchester Street. The street leads to The Site of The New Market. Crossing Monkchester Street opposite is Percy Court.
Further on The Black and Grey Horses pub and the magnificent stone carved entrance to the grounds of The Church of St James The Great 1845. Further on on the same side stood a group of 18C houses one which is Wansbeck house. Rebuilt in the 19C in the style of a Castle with battlements, turrets and gateway. Now local government offices.
Over the road is Beeswing buildings. Once an Inn name after a famous race horse.

'Turning around.' Return down right side of Newgate Street.
Return to Old Gate and The Clock Tower. At the corner of Moss Chemist is the Clock Tower. Turn right at the corner into Oldgate.

Oldgate
Clock tower
Morpeth's centrepiece is the splendid 17th century clock tower, the bell of which once sounded a curfew at eight o'clock every evening.The clock, which came from nearby Bothal Castle originally had one hand, so there are four spaces between the numbers to tell the quarter hours. It was also used to call people to meetings at the Town Hall and it is said to have announced the beginning of Market day.
Walking on into Oldgate staying on the right side of the street see the quaint little shops. Opposite are Tower Buildings quaint brick buildings housing the Citizens Advice Bureau. Adjoining Grey’s Buildings and Oldgate Antiques.
Continuing.Outside the old Post Office are seats perhaps a time to rest. Walking toward the bridge, the next is a magnificent brick / stone building. This is Collingwood House.

Collingwood House (See plaque above door)
In Oldgate. Collingwood House having Grade II* listed building status was the late 18th C. Georgian home of Admiral Lord Collingwood from 1791 to his death at sea in 1810. Collingwood said to be the real commander of the battle took control of the British fleet after his close friend Nelson's death at the battle of Trafalgar.
Walking on now to the bridge.

Oldgate Bridge 1970.
Oldgate ends at the bridge, the road itself leading to Kirkhill was once a Ford. The ford was replaced by several disastrous ‘bridges’.
2 suspension bridges the first collapsed in 1830. The second also collapsed after being maliciously damaged in 1870. The third an iron bridge was built in 1934, this was replaced by the current one in 1970. The centre of the bridge is a popular spot for feeding Morpeth’s large Duck population! Crossing the over, to the right is the Bridge Club.

Bridge Club
A friendly Social Club where visitors are made welcome. Call in or at the end of the bridge turn left crossing the road to the ‘sign-post’.

Riverside Promenade Walk 1932
Once over the bridge turn left and take a relaxing walk along the promenade. Next to the river Wansbeck. On your right you are approaching the riverside park with its playground, paddling pool, bowling greens, and tennis courts.

Riverside
Walk along to Elliot Bridge 1925 rebuilt 1982, here you will find...facilities. Park Area. Bowling. Tennis. Playground. Rowing Boats. Swimming Baths. DUCKS. Continue on the main pathway out of Park passing Benfield car sales garage back to Castle square and end of walk.

Thank you.

NW.

                                                                                             
Please note that Newcastle Walks does not accept liability, for the condition of the walks which can change on a daily basis, or for any injury, fatality, loss or damages incurred by any person. Newcastle Walks are not inviting the public to walk on any of the walks, but are providing information about specific routes, that are available in the North East of England. Therefore any person who decides to walk any of the walks within this website does so of their own choice and at their own risk.