Morpeth, Northumberland

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Morpeth


Image:Northumberland outline map with UK.png Image:Red pog2.svg Morpeth shown within Northumberland
Population	14,096 (2001 census)
OS grid reference	NZ2085
District	Castle Morpeth
Shire county	Northumberland
Region	North East
Constituent country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	MORPETH
Postcode district	NE61
Dialling code	01670
Police	Northumbria
Fire	Northumberland
Ambulance	North East
UK Parliament	Wansbeck
European Parliament	North East England
List of places: UK • England • Northumberland

Coordinates: 55°09′48″N 1°40′41″W / 55.1633, -1.6781

Morpeth is a market town in Northumberland, England, on the River Wansbeck, which flows east through the town. The town is a mile from the A1, which bypasses it. It is the administrative centre both of Castle Morpeth borough and of the County of Northumberland. In the 2001 census the town had a population of 13,834. Nearby villages include Mitford and Pegswood.

Morpeth first prospered in the 12th century, when it was granted market status by King John. It has notable historic importance within Northumberland. Its historical landmarks include a free-standing 17th-century clock tower, a grand town hall originally designed by Sir John Vanbrugh, a 13th-century chapel called The Chantry which is now the tourist information centre and Collingwood House the Georgian home of Admiral Lord Collingwood. The town also has a castle, but only the gatehouse and parts of the ruined castle walls remain. Today the town and the county's history and culture is celebrated at the annual Northumbrian Gathering, held in the town.

Today the town is a thriving local centre. It is a commuter town for Newcastle upon Tyne, and benefits from excellent transport links. The A1 provides a fast link to Edinburgh (2 hours) and Newcastle (twenty minutes), while its railway station has direct trains to London taking a little over three hours. The school facilities are also highly rated, with the local state school – King Edward VI High School (Granted a grammar school charter in 1552 by King Edward VI) gained Beacon and Leading Edge status in 2003 and 2004 respectively.

Sport is popular in the town too: Morpeth Town A.F.C., Morpeth RUFC, the cricket, hockey and tennis club and the golf club all play competitively. The Morpeth Harriers cater for those wishing to compete in athletics. The town also offers opportunities to play sport on a non-competitive basis through facilities such as Carlisle Park, the common and the leisure centre.

Tourism is growing. Morpeth Chantry houses a craft centre and bagpipe museum [1], one of very few worldwide, which has a collection of Northumbrian smallpipes and bagpipes from many countries. Morpeth is the only place in England with a bagpipe museum. Carlisle Gardens include the William Turner Physic Garden. It also has good sports facilities, and speciality shopping.

Image:Morpethstreetscene2007.JPG

Street scene in Morpeth, 2007.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

Major settlements in Northumberland	Image:Flag of Northumberland.svg
Alnwick \| Ashington \| Bamburgh \| Bedlington \| Berwick-upon-Tweed \| Blyth \| Cramlington \| Haltwhistle \| Hexham \| Morpeth \| Newbiggin-by-the-Sea \| Ponteland \| Prudhoe \| Rothbury \| Seahouses \| Wooler