Free Things to Do in Morpeth
A guide to the best free attractions and activities in Morpeth — from Carlisle Park and riverside walks to the Bagpipe Museum, Wednesday market, and historic churches.
You do not need to spend a penny to enjoy Morpeth. The town has an impressive range of free attractions — from its award-winning park and riverside walks to a unique museum and one of Northumberland's finest parish churches. Here is our guide to the best free things to do in Morpeth.
Carlisle Park
Carlisle Park was created from land donated by the Countess of Carlisle in 1916 and opened in 1926. It has since grown into a multi-award-winning green space that would be the envy of towns many times Morpeth's size.
The park is entirely free to enter and includes formal gardens, ancient woodland, an aviary, a children's playground, a paddling pool (free in summer), a skate park, bowling greens, tennis courts, picnic areas, and the castle ruins on Ha' Hill. The William Turner Garden — named after the Morpeth-born father of English botany — features a Tudor knot garden, physic beds, and a viewing mound.
You could easily spend half a day here without reaching for your wallet.
Best for: An award-winning park with gardens, play areas, woodland, and a paddling pool — all free.
The Morpeth Chantry and Bagpipe Museum
The Morpeth Chantry, a 13th-century building on the bridge over the Wansbeck, houses the Bagpipe Museum — the only museum of its kind in the United Kingdom. Admission is free.
Inside you will find around 120 sets of pipes on display from across the world, with a particular focus on the Northumbrian smallpipes — the region's own distinctive bellows-blown instrument. The museum is open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm, and regularly hosts live demonstrations and performances.
It is a small museum but a genuinely interesting one, even if you have never given bagpipes a second thought.
Best for: Free entry to a unique collection — 120 sets of pipes from around the world.
Riverside Walks
The River Wansbeck runs through the heart of Morpeth, and the paths along its banks provide some of the best free walking in the area. From Carlisle Park you can head upstream past the stepping stones towards the countryside, or downstream through woodland towards Mitford.
The paths are flat, well-surfaced, and suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs for much of their length. Along the way you will pass the Chantry, the old castle ruins, and several benches with views over the water. The circular walk via the stepping stones and back through the park takes about forty-five minutes and is a favourite with locals.
Wednesday Market
Morpeth's Wednesday market has been running for over 800 years — the charter was granted in 1199 by King John. Today it fills Sanderson Arcade and the surrounding streets with stalls selling fresh produce, baked goods, clothing, household items, and local specialties.
It is free to browse and atmospheric to walk through, with a mix of regular traders and seasonal visitors. The monthly farmers market (held on a Saturday) is also free to attend and features producers from across Northumberland.
Best for: Eight centuries of market trading — and still going strong every Wednesday.
St Mary the Virgin Church
The Church of St Mary the Virgin, on the south side of town, is one of the finest parish churches in Northumberland. The present building dates largely from the 14th century, with a distinctive tower and impressive medieval stonework.
The church is also the final resting place of Emily Wilding Davison, the suffragette who was fatally injured at the 1913 Epsom Derby. Her gravestone, inscribed with the WSPU motto "Deeds not words", is in the churchyard and remains a place of pilgrimage. Entry to both the church and churchyard is free.
Morpeth Castle Ruins
The remains of Morpeth Castle sit atop Ha' Hill in Carlisle Park. While little of the original medieval castle survives beyond the gatehouse (which is now a holiday let managed by the Landmark Trust), the hill itself offers panoramic views over the town and the Wansbeck valley.
The walk up is short but steep, and it is a pleasant spot to sit with a flask of tea and watch the world go by. There is no admission charge.
Castle Square and the Town Centre
Simply walking through Morpeth's historic town centre is a pleasure in itself. The Clock Tower on Oldgate, the elegant bridge over the Wansbeck, and the mix of Georgian and Victorian architecture on Newgate Street and Bridge Street all reward a slow wander. The Collingwood Memorial in Castle Square commemorates Admiral Collingwood, Nelson's second-in-command at Trafalgar, who was born nearby.
Emily Wilding Davison Statue
In Carlisle Park, near the formal gardens, you will find a bronze statue of Emily Wilding Davison by North East sculptor Ray Lonsdale. It was unveiled in September 2018 by the Duchess of Northumberland to mark the centenary of the first women gaining the vote in the United Kingdom. The statue is free to visit and well worth seeking out.
Know another free attraction we should include? Get in touch.