Morpeth Clock Tower
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The Morpeth Clock Tower is one of Morpeth's most famous landmark. Standing at roughly 70ft high, tucked away in the corner of the Market Place it is now dwarfed by more modern constructions. The walls are 3'6" thick.
[edit] A Brief History
The Clock Tower was constructed sometime between 1604 and 1634 out of Medieval Stone thought to have come from a gatehouse that previously stood at the west end of Oldgate to protect the town from marauding raiders from the north. During its time it has served as many functions to the town including a gaol until 1802 and a meat store amongst other things! The tower acquired a peal of six bells cast by the prominent bell founder Richard Phelps (Whitechapel) in 1706 at the request of Major General Edmond 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 some years earlier. This gave rise to the curious local saying that "Berwick Bells are heard in Morpeth."
[edit] Points of Interest
- Grade two listed building.
- Contains the oldest peal of bells in Northumberland.
- Only one of eight secular towers in England never to have been associated with a Church.
- 300 year old tradition of ringing the curfew at 8pm.
