Swimming in Morpeth
From a six-lane public pool with spa to a free outdoor paddling pool in Carlisle Park and a country house hotel with its own 12-metre pool, here is where to swim in and around Morpeth.
Morpeth is well served for swimming, whether you are looking for lane sessions and lessons at a modern public pool, somewhere for the children to splash around outdoors in summer, or a more luxurious swim as part of a spa day. Here is our guide to swimming in and around Morpeth.
Morpeth Sports and Leisure Centre
Morpeth Sports and Leisure Centre on Gas House Lane is the town's main public swimming facility. The centre opened in 2023, replacing the old Riverside Leisure Centre, and is managed by Places Leisure on behalf of Northumberland County Council.
The centre has two pools. The main pool is a six-lane, 25-metre pool with a spectator gallery, suitable for lane swimming, public sessions, and club use. Alongside it is a smaller studio pool with an adjustable floor, used for swimming lessons, aqua fitness classes, and sessions for younger children.
The centre follows the Swim England Learn to Swim Framework for its lessons programme, offering structured courses for children of all ages as well as adult swimming lessons and private tuition. Public swim sessions run throughout the week, and you can check specific times via the Places Leisure app or website.
Beyond the pools, the centre has a spa area with sauna, steam room, salt room, experience showers, and a spa pool. Membership packages cover gym, swim, and classes, but pay-as-you-go is also available if you prefer to drop in without a contract.
Best for: Morpeth's main public swimming pool -- six lanes, 25 metres, plus a studio pool for lessons and aqua fitness. Gas House Lane, NE61 1SR. Phone 01670 620200.
Carlisle Park Paddling Pool
Carlisle Park is home to one of the few remaining working outdoor paddling pools in the North East. Managed by Morpeth Town Council, the paddling pool is free to use and open daily from the last weekend in May through to the first weekend in September.
The pool is unsupervised, so children should be accompanied by an adult at all times. It is a shallow, purpose-built pool designed for young children rather than a conventional swimming pool, but it is a much-loved part of a family day out in the park -- especially on warm days during the school holidays.
The rest of Carlisle Park includes two playgrounds, the William Turner Garden, an aviary, rowing boat hire on the River Wansbeck, a cafe, and outdoor gym equipment. It is less than a ten-minute walk from both Morpeth bus station and railway station.
The pool occasionally closes for maintenance, so it is worth checking the Morpeth Town Council Facebook page before visiting.
Best for: Free outdoor paddling pool for young children in Carlisle Park, open daily from late May to early September. Castle Square, NE61 1YD.
Macdonald Linden Hall
Macdonald Linden Hall Golf and Country Club at Longhorsley, about seven miles north of Morpeth, has a 12-metre indoor heated swimming pool as part of its leisure club and spa facilities.
The pool is available to hotel guests as part of their stay and to leisure club members. Day visitors can access it through a spa day booking. Alongside the pool there is a gym, sauna, steam room, and a spa offering Elemis treatments.
Children are welcome in the pool between 9am and 11am and from 5pm to 8pm daily. Outside those hours the pool is adults-only, making it a quieter option for a daytime swim if you are looking for something more relaxed than a busy public pool.
The setting is hard to beat -- a Georgian country house in 450 acres of Northumberland parkland. If you want to combine a swim with a round of golf, a spa treatment, or lunch at the hotel restaurant, Linden Hall is a fine option.
Best for: 12-metre indoor pool at a four-star country house hotel near Longhorsley. Access via spa day booking, leisure club membership, or hotel stay. Phone 01670 500000.
Other options nearby
- Pine House Hydrotherapy Pool at Hepscott Park, about three miles south of Morpeth, is a purpose-built heated pool designed for disabled adults and young people with their carers. The pool is 7 metres by 2.5 metres, maintained at 33 degrees, and includes a hoist for wheelchair users and a jet stream for stronger swimmers. It is available for private hire -- see pinehousepool.co.uk for details.
- Ponteland Leisure Centre and Ashington Leisure Centre both have public swimming pools within a short drive of Morpeth, and are worth considering if you want a change of scenery or need a session time that does not fit the Morpeth timetable.
Choosing where to swim
- For regular lane swimming or lessons, Morpeth Sports and Leisure Centre is the clear choice -- it is the only full-size public pool in town.
- For young children in summer, the free paddling pool in Carlisle Park is a wonderful option as part of a wider day out in the park.
- For a quieter, more luxurious swim, Macdonald Linden Hall offers a smaller pool in a beautiful setting, though access requires a spa day booking or membership.
- For specialist needs, Pine House Hydrotherapy Pool provides a warm, accessible facility for disabled swimmers and their carers.
Know a swimming spot we have missed? Get in touch.