Morpeth hotels

Hotels in Morpeth

Morpeth, the historic county town of Northumberland, in northeast England sits proudly on the banks of the River Wansbeck. Its rich heritage and the natural beauty of its surroundings, makes this medieval market town an ideal location from which to explore the county. With stylish shops, ancient coaching inns, cultural excursions and the majestic countryside to explore, there's no shortage of diversions. With a choice of Morpeth hotels, spanning a variety of budgets, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Cultural highlights:

When it comes to landmarks in this picturesque town, nothing is quite as symbolic as Morpeth Castle. Built in the 14th century by Ranulph de Merlay, much of it has since crumbled away. Only the majestic Gatehouse and part of the fortified walls remain. Another iconic building is the 13th-century Morpeth Chantry. Once a chapel, it now houses the tourist information office, the Chantry Bagpipe Museum and the Northumbrian Arts and Crafts Gallery.

Visit nearby Carlisle Park, which offers an array of activities for all the family. Glide down the river on a rowing boat; wander along woodland paths, or visit the contemporary William Turner Garden. Other parks and great estates include Wallington House with its beautiful estate walks, Cragside House and Gardens, home to the Victorian inventor, Lord Armstrong and Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens.

Learn about Northumberland's coal mining heritage at the Woodhorn, Museum and Northumberland Archives. Witness what life was like for this proud community, as you travel through the original colliery buildings and Coal Town where once they lived.

The Northumbrian Gathering is a special annual event that is held just after Easter. This is a time to celebrate the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Northumbria. It's a three-day festival, full of musical events, dance and craft exhibitions with plenty of traditional fun and games along the way.

Things to do:

Northumbria is famed for its walking and cycling opportunities with many designated routes to choose from. For a more sedate farmyard experience, try Whitehouse Farm Centre. Here you can bottle feed the baby lambs, watch the wallabies play and stroke a bunny. One of the largest farm attractions in Northumbria, it offers many activities including a play barn, adventure playground and tractor-trailer rides. For miles of golden sand, grass-strewn dunes and open sky, visit Druridge Bay Country Park.

Places to Eat Out

After a gentle saunter around the town, tantalise your taste buds with scoops of award winning Italian style ice cream, which can be found at the Ice Bar in Morpeth. There are also a number of old coaching inns still present from the days when the Great North Road brought weary travellers through the town. These include the Queen's Head, Waterford Lodge and The Black Bull where local cuisine can still be enjoyed. For some fresh groceries or to spot a bargain, look out for the weekly Wednesday Market, or the Farmers' Market, held on the first Saturday of every month.