Carlisle Park's Floral Clock Planted Up for Summer

Morpeth's much-loved floral clock has been planted up with its traditional carpet bedding and is looking its best for the summer season in Carlisle Park.

As the Northumberland Gazette reports, the clock is one of only four working floral clocks in the country, which makes Morpeth's example a genuine point of pride for the town.

A working clock made of plants

The floral clock takes pride of place in Carlisle Park, the riverside park off Castle Square. Its face is formed from thousands of low-growing carpet bedding plants, set into a sloping bank, with working hands that keep time above the planting.

Best for: Each spring and summer the clock is replanted by hand. Carpet bedding uses dense, low-growing foliage plants to create the intricate patterns and numbers that make up the clock face.

Restored by the community

The clock was restored in 2018 after The Friends of Morpeth's Floral Clock raised the funds to bring it back, working alongside Northumberland County Council, which installs and maintains it each year.

The Friends have since added further improvements to protect the clock and explain its history, including a heritage information board. The group continues to welcome supporters and shares updates through its Friends of Morpeth's Floral Clock page.

Carlisle Park itself is an award-winning, Grade II* registered park with formal gardens, the William Turner Garden, an aviary, a paddling pool and woodland walks beside the River Wansbeck. Admission is free and it is open all year, making the floral clock an easy stop on any summer stroll through the town.

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