Morpeth Clock Tower
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Morpeth Clock Tower is one of Morpeth's most famous landmarks. The tower stands 60 ft high with walls 3 ft 6 in thick. Tucked away off the corner of the Market Place in the town centre, it is now dwarfed by more modern structures such as the Town Hall (originally designed by Vanbrugh in 1714) and the YMCA buildings of 1905.
A Brief History
The Clock Tower was constructed sometime between 1604 and 1634 out of recycled Medieval stone giving it its much older appearance. The stone was thought to come from a gatehouse that previously stood at the west end of Oldgate. However, it is more likely to have been built out of stone from the nearby ruined Newminster Abbey which was Dissolved in 1537.
During its time it has served as many functions to the town including a gaol until 1802 and a meat store to name but a few.
The tower acquired a peal of six bells cast by the prominent bell founder Richard Phelps (of Whitechapel Bell Foundry) in 1706 at the request of Major General Edmund Maine, MP of Morpeth. These bells were originally intended to be made for the Parish Church of Berwick-upon-Tweed. However, the people of Berwick failed to elect the Major General to Office a couple of years previously. On Maine's successful election as MP of Morpeth, the bells were presented to the Corporation of Morpeth. This gave rise to the curious local saying that "Berwick Bells are heard in Morpeth." To accommodate the bells, a top storey (belfry) was built in 1706. By the early 20th century, the bells had fallen into disrepair and were eventually recast and hung in a new cast iron frame in 1951 by John Taylor & Co to commemorate the Festival of Britain.
Points of interest
- Grade II* listed building.
- Scheduled Ancient Monument.
- Contains the oldest original peal of civic bells in the United Kingdom.
- One of only eight secular bell towers in England never to have been associated with a Church.
- 300-year-old tradition of chiming the curfew at 8.00pm