Photographs Of Newcastle: Morpeth

Morpeth is the county town of Northumberland, England. It is situated on the River Wansbeck which flows east through the town. The town is a mile from the A1, which bypasses it. Since 1981, it has been the administrative centre of the County of Northumberland. In the 2001 census the town had a population of 13,833.

Morpeth is a historic market town in Northumberland, North East England, lying on the River Wansbeck. Nearby towns include Ashington and Bedlington. In the 2011 census, the population of Morpeth was given as 14,017, up from 13,833 in the 2001 census. The earliest record of the town is believed to be from the Neolithic period. The meaning of the town's name is uncertain, but it may refer to its position on the road to Scotland and a murder which occurred on that road. An alternative origin is a derivation of 'murderers' path' from the time when the gallows were on the Common. The de Marley family was granted the Barony of Morpeth in c. 1080 and built two castles in the town in the late 11th century and the 13th century. The town was granted its coat of arms in 1552. By the mid 1700s it had become one of the main markets in England, having been granted a market charter in 1199, but the opening of the railways in the 1800s led the market to decline. The town's history is celebrated in the annual Northumbrian Gathering.

Morpeth is governed by Northumberland County Council and Morpeth Town Council. The town is split into three wards – North, Kirkhill and Stobhill – for the purposes of parish elections. In 2008 the town suffered a severe flood, which was repeated in 2012, resulting in the construction of new flood defences. Morpeth railway station is on the east coast line and a curve to the south of it has caused several rail crashes. Several sports teams compete in Morpeth, with Morpeth Town A.F.C. having been the winner of the FA Vase in 2016. The town hosted its own Olympics from 1873 to 1958. Two middle schools, a high school and seven first schools are situated in Morpeth, as well as several churches of Anglican, Roman Catholic, United Reformed and Methodist denominations. Morpeth's Carlisle Park, the recipient of several awards, contains one of the four floral clocks in England.

Description courtesy of Wikipedia.

My visit to Morpeth was only for an hour or so and I did'nt have time to get around properly. A longer visit is called for at some stage in the future.

June 2010

Morpeth Clock Tower.

The Clock Tower on Old Gate in Morpeth was built in the early 17th century, using stone from an earlier Medieval building. The west side of the tower has outside stone steps to 1st floor and the small cusped head of a 14th century window. In 1706 a peal of six bells was installed in the tower, provided by Major General Edmund Maine, when he became MP of Morpeth. The bells are rung at 8pm everyday; marking the evening curfew in years gone by.

Grade II Listed building and a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Source: Co-Curate.

Morpeth Town Hall.

Town hall. Originally built 1714 by Vanbrugh for the Earl of Carlisle. Rebuilt with facsimile facade by R.J. Johnson after a fire in 1869. Ashlar facade, brick to rear. Lakeland slate roof. Baroque style. 2-storey, 3-bay centre flanked by 3-storey, 1-bay towers.

Entirely rusticated, the rustication breaking around openings to form voussoirs. Arcaded ground floor with round arches filled with elaborate wrought-iron grilles and gates. On 1st floor large 24-pane sashes in moulded segment-headed windows with keystones. Centre section is pedimented. Towers each have massive upper storey with open round arches and pediments on each side. Hipped roof with corniced ridge stacks. Interior is by Johnson in early C18 style including an imposing open-well stair and a large lst-floor panelled room across the front of the building.

Grade II Listed. Source: Historic England.

The Hollen Fountain.

Public drinking fountain. Given in 1885 by Mr. Hollon in honour of his wife. Grey polished granite. Rusticated base. Plinth with inscription. A round-headed rusticated arch and a semicircular basin on each side. Broad cornice and ogival top with large acroteria at the corners. Victorian lamp standard above.

Grade 2 Listed. Source: Historic England.