Morpeth's Attractions and Things To Do
Sanderson ArcadeYou can't help but notice the Sanderson Arcade. There is an entrance from Bridge Street and also from the Bus Station and main parking area at the rear. The centre has 27 up-market shops, a ladies only fitness gym and beauty rooms. The centre itself is extremely stylish and well thought out, in summer the beautiful flower displays contribute to the Morpeth in Bloom competition and in winter they have stunning Christmas decorations.
The shops at Sanderson Arcade include:
New Look, Advanced Nutrition, The Jewellers Guild, The Body Shop, Clarkes, Ladbrokes, Marks and Spencer, Martin Mccoll, The Wedding Gallery, Paperchase, Lemon, Sky, Central Bean Coffee House, Crewe Clothing Company, Vision Express, Waterstones, Monsoon, Jazz, Oxley's of Morpeth, Fat Face, Mountain Warehouse, JoJo Maman Bebe, East, Laura Ashley and the Corbridge Larder!
More than enough shopping and relaxing to pass a few hours, why not have a bite to eat after hitting the shops? See our guide of where to Eat and Drink in Morpeth.
Morpeth Bagpipe Museum and Northumbrian Arts and Crafts Gallery
Housed inside Morpeth's 13th Century Chantry is the Bagpipe Museum. The museum has an incredible collection of pipes, most of which belonged to William Alfred Cocks, a clockmaker from Ryton who died in 1971. The collection itself belongs to the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle Upon Tyne and has been open to the public since 1987. The Museum is open Monday - Saturday 10am to 5pm and admission is free. It is certainly a fascinating place and a great thing to see in Morpeth if the Northumbrian weather is up to it's usual naughty tricks.
Carlisle Park
It was the Countess of Carlisle that donated a huge amount of land in 1916 to the Town of Morpeth which eventually became the amazing public space that is now Carlisle Park. It was opened in 1926 by the Earl of Carlisle and has drawn local people and visitors alike ever since. The park dates back an incredible long time, it is the location of the remains of Morpeth Castle which was built in the 13th and 14th centuries and an 11th century motte and bailey. These were the Town's ancient defences against attack and are now scheduled ancient monuments.
The main reason to visit the park though is just to relax in a beautiful open space and enjoy the scenery and facilities on offer, on the South banks of the River Wansbeck. It is open for visitors every day of the year and the facilities include a paddling pool, tennis courts, a skate park, rowing boats that can be taken on the river, children's and toddler's play areas and a bowling pavilion. Areas of the park include the Formal Garden, the William Turner Garden, Ha' Hill and the woodlands. The Park also has public toilets that are open from the 1st April to the 31st October each year. For information about how to hire these public facilities contact Leisure Connections by calling 01670 514665.
The main reason I visit Carlisle Park is for the William Turner Garden. William Turner was born in Morpeth and is widely thought of as the 'Father of English Botany'. The garden itself is a centre of peace and tranquillity and houses a 16th Century Tudor Garden, a Knot Garden, Physic Beds, an Introduction Border and a Viewing Mound. Turner was born in 1508 and was the first person to make records in English of the names of plants and their medicinal uses. These records made the uses of plants accessible to doctors, priests and the masses for the first time.
Postcode for your SatNav: NE61 1YD
Collingwood House
Lord Admiral Collingwood was born in 1748 and lived out his final days in Collingwood House from 1791 until his death at sea in 1810. He is perhaps most famous for taking control of the British fleet during the Battle of Trafalgar after Admiral Lord Nelson was killed. He was incredibly proud of his North-East routes and often wrote affectionately about his home in Morpeth. It is said he enjoyed walking his dog in the woods and would carry a pocket full of acorns to plant in order to keep the Royal Navy well supplied with Oak. The house is grade II listed and can be found on Oldgate, behind the Clock Tower.
Just outside Morpeth, just a few miles away in the countryside is Whitehouse Farm Centre. It's a great place for the whole family to enjoy a day out with a 'hands' on experience with lots of different animals. It is a 40 acre farm centre that has been educating and entertaining visitors since 1997. It is a great place to see, handle and feed a wide variety of animals from traditional breeds to unusual and exotic species. When we went with my little niece the definite favourites were the meerkats and the baby goats. About 75% of the farm is under cover so a day out here can be enjoyed whatever the weather. Postcode for your SatNav: NE61 6AW
Also great for the kids is Eshott Heugh Animal Park, a small family run park with lots of animals from donkeys and racoons to meerkats, a tea room and gift shop. Postcode for your SatNav: NE65 9QH.
The Northumberland Cheese Company based in Blagdon offer Dairy Tours. Their friendly and experienced cheesemakers will share the story of the cheeses from the moment the milk is delivered from the farm, through the churning, molding, brining, maturing, and packaging until that great moment when the cheese is in your hand! Visit their website for more information.
Wallington Hall, House and GardensA beautiful National Trust Property and estate within easy reach from Morpeth. Dating from 1688, Wallington was home to many generations of the Blackett and Trevelyan families, who all left their mark. The result is an impressive, yet friendly, house with a magnificent interior and fine collections. The remarkable Pre-Raphaelite central hall was decorated to look like an Italian courtyard and features a series of paintings of Northumbrian history by William Bell Scott. The formality of the house is offset by the tranquil beauty of the surrounding landscape – with lawns, lakes, parkland and woodland. The beautiful walled garden, with its varied plant collection and charming conservatory, is an enchanting must-see.
Postcode for your SatNav: NE61 4AR
Woodhorn Museum and Northumberland Archives
A short distance from Morpeth is the Queen Elizabeth II Country Park in Ashington. This park plays host to Woodhorn Museum and Northumberland Archives, the place where you can discover over 800 years of local history along with many exhibitions and events. From 1894 and for over 80 years after Woodhorn was a coal mine, at it's peak employing more than two thousand men. It's modern use as a museum began in 1989 and after a massive redevelopment re-opened again in 2006. The new building that houses the main museum and archives is amazing with a beautiful modern design reflecting the coal cutting machines of old. The archives can now also be explored online, well worth a look even if you can't get to the museum. The Museum is a great day out, it can be combined with a visit to the Queen Elizabeth II Park with it's cycle trails, beautiful walks and watersports including sailing and windsurfing.
Postcode for your SatNav: NE63 9YF
Golf
Northumberland is a golfer's dream with a huge variety of courses from ancient links courses to the beautiful countryside in land. Morpeth itself has a gold club and there are also many more within easy striking distance of the Town. The nearest course is Morpeth Golf Club, famous for upholding it's traditions. It is a private club that welcomes visitors during the week and only be special arrangement at the weekends and Bank Holidays. Just outside Morpeth there is Longhirst Hall Golf Course, Linden Hall Golf Club and the championship course at Burgham Park Golf and Leisure Club. There are many, many more great courses around the County, be sure to check our Golf Page for information about them all.