Morpeth Clock Tower: The Story Behind the Bells
The story of Morpeth's Clock Tower — built from recycled medieval stone, home to the oldest original peal of civic bells in the UK, and the curious legend of the Berwick Bells.
Standing on Oldgate in the centre of Morpeth, the Clock Tower is one of the most recognisable landmarks in the town. It is also one of the most historically significant — housing the oldest original peal of civic bells in the United Kingdom, and carrying with it a legend that links Morpeth to its old rival, Berwick-upon-Tweed.
A Tower Built from Recycled Stone
The Clock Tower was constructed sometime between 1604 and 1634. Its weathered stonework gives it an appearance far older than its actual age, and for good reason — the tower was built from recycled medieval stone, most likely salvaged from the nearby ruins of Newminster Abbey, the Cistercian monastery dissolved by Henry VIII in 1537.
The reuse of monastic stone was common in the decades following the Dissolution, and it gives the tower a visual connection to a much earlier period of Morpeth's history. Newminster Abbey had been one of the most important religious houses in Northumberland, and its stone found new purpose in the heart of the town.
Best for: The Clock Tower's medieval appearance comes from its construction material — stone recycled from the ruins of Newminster Abbey, dissolved in 1537.
The Berwick Bells Legend
The tower's six bells have a story that is uniquely Morpeth. In 1706, Major General Edmund Maine, the Member of Parliament for Morpeth, commissioned a peal of six bells from the renowned Richard Phelps at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry in London — the same foundry that would later cast Big Ben and the Liberty Bell.
According to local tradition, these bells were originally intended for the parish church of Berwick-upon-Tweed. Maine had previously stood for election in Berwick but had been rejected by the town's voters. When he was subsequently elected as MP for Morpeth, he redirected the commission — presenting the bells to the Corporation of Morpeth instead.
This act of political spite gave rise to the old local saying: "Berwick Bells are heard in Morpeth."
Whether the legend is entirely accurate or has been embellished over three centuries is a matter of debate among local historians, but the outcome is beyond dispute: Morpeth got the bells, and Berwick did not.
The Oldest Civic Peal in the Country
To accommodate the new bells, a top storey — the belfry — was added to the tower in 1706. The six bells have hung there ever since, making them the oldest original peal of civic bells in the United Kingdom. They have never been recast or replaced.
The Clock Tower is also one of only eight secular bell towers in England that have never been associated with a church. The bells are civic, not ecclesiastical — a distinction that makes Morpeth's tower a rarity.
Best for: Morpeth's Clock Tower houses the oldest original peal of civic bells in the UK — cast in 1706 and never replaced.
The Curfew Bell
One of the tower's most enduring traditions is the curfew bell, which is rung at 8pm every evening. This practice dates back centuries, to a time when the curfew signalled that fires should be covered and the town gates closed for the night. The word "curfew" itself derives from the Norman French couvre-feu — "cover the fire."
The nightly ringing continues today, maintained by the Morpeth Clock Tower Bellringers, a dedicated group of volunteers who also ring the bells for special occasions, practice nights, and civic events. The sound of the bells at dusk remains one of the defining experiences of Morpeth's town centre.
The Tower Today
The Clock Tower stands at the junction of Oldgate and Bridge Street, close to the heart of Morpeth's shopping area. It is a Grade II listed building and a popular meeting point. The clock face is illuminated at night, and the tower serves as a useful orientation landmark for visitors exploring the town centre.
The tower is not generally open to the public, but the bells can be heard clearly from the streets around it — particularly during the evening curfew and on practice nights.
For those interested in Morpeth's wider heritage, the Clock Tower sits within easy walking distance of the Chantry and Bagpipe Museum, Carlisle Park, and Morpeth Castle. Together, they form a compact trail through the town's most important historic sites.
Visiting
| Detail | Info | |---|---| | Location | Oldgate, Morpeth town centre | | Access | External viewing at any time; interior not generally open | | Curfew bell | Rung at 8pm daily | | Listed status | Grade II | | Nearest parking | Town centre car parks on Gas House Lane or Staithes Lane |
The Clock Tower is best appreciated as part of a walk through Morpeth's historic centre. Stand nearby at 8pm on any evening and you will hear a tradition that has continued, unbroken, for over three hundred years.
Get in touch if you have historical information or photographs of Morpeth Clock Tower to share.