Morpeth

Morpeth is Northumberland's county town. Shrouded in a mysterious pre-historic past, the name Morpeth means "murder path" from the French "mort" meaning death. Morpeth's motto is "Inter Sylvas et Flumina Habitans" - "Living amid the Woods and Waters". The Normans sited a castle here overlooking the river crossing which was somewhere near the present Telford Toll Bridge. The Telford Bridge, built by Thomas Telford and designed by John Dobson replaced a 13th century bridge that had been a hazard to coach traffic. When the new bridge was 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 on the remains of the central pier. The old toll house still stands on the southern end of the bridge.

John Dobson was also responsible at this time for designing the new county Gaol with its great gatehouse, and massive curtain walls that have since been demolished.
Emily Davison, the campaigner for women's suffrage, who was killed by the King's horse at the Epsom Derby, is buried at the 14th century church of St Mary.
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Morpeth boasts a handsome Town Hall originally built by Vanburgh, and given to the town by Lord Joicey earlier this century. Collingwood House in Oldgate was the Georgian home of Admiral Lord Collingwood who took command of the British fleet after his close friend Nelson's death at the battle of Trafalgar. His monument stands at Tynemouth over-looking the mouth of the River Tyne.

Morpeth's centrepiece is a splendid 17th century clock tower, which sounded the evening curfew at eight o'clock. 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.

The 13th century chapel known as "The Chantry" is one of only five "bridge chantries" left in England and restored to provide a home for a thriving Craft Centre, Bagpipe Museum and the Tourist Information Centre. The famous herbalist and physician William Turner, the "Father of English Botany" went to school here.