Summer Walk, Morpeth Circular - Tuesday 16th July 2019.
On Tuesday 16th July 2019, a warm and sunny evening greeted the fourteen members who gathered in The Terrace
car park for our circular wander around Morpeth. This was a welcome relief after the previous weeks summer walk at
South Beach, Blyth had been cancelled due to the weather. Leaving the start point, our first stop was the area around
the nearby Grade I listed medieval Chantry, built in 1296. Originally a chapel and a school it has had many uses over
the years including a pop factory. It was also the venue for Morpeth Camera Club's weekly meetings from 1984 until
we were forced to leave in 1987, to accommodate the "new" Bagpipe Museum. A small garden to the rear overlooks
the River Wansbeck, the Telford Bridge and the Chantry Footbridge which were all photographed before we continued
south down Wansbeck Street.
Turning west into Hillgate, passing the weir and fish ladder we headed into Carlisle Park. The flower park has always
been a big attraction in Morpeth and the recent introduction of the Emily Wilding Davison sculpture and the restored
Floral Clock have created added interest. With the William Turner Garden, the bird aviary and fine views of the Court
House designed by John Dobson in the style of a medieval castle, group had plenty of subjects to photograph. After
exploring the rear of the court house two little known features were photographed as well as the victorian architecture
of the old police station buildings.
Heading south up Castle Bank we paused at the Morpeth Cenotaph that commemorates 233 men who lost their lives
in WWI and the 77 men who lost their lives in WWII. Leaving the war memorial a small track led us uphill and out onto
the green in front of the original gatehouse of Morpeth Castle, that was built around 1350. This restored building is now
owned by the landmark trust and is a unique holiday let with stunning views over the town.
A footpath then took us down to cross the Postern Burn before a steep climb to the to the top of the Ha Hill. This was
the site of a Norman motte-and-bailey castle, built by the de Merlay family in 1095, and originally a wooden structure.
From this elevated location the evening sunlight gave us a different perspective of the town, although on this occasion
the resident herd of shetland sheep did not seem impressed by our presence and were a bit camera shy. Moving on the
group made there way down to the river, crossing the Elliott bridge next to the boats and then followed the riverside at
the rear of Mathesons Gardens round to the Oldgate Bridge.
Statutory and a colourful climbing wall were found in a brief walk around the grounds of St Roberts RC Church, School &
the Grade II listed Collingwood House, a late 18th-century Georgian house that was the home of Admiral Lord Collingwood
from 1791 to his death at sea in 1810. Returning to our start point via Newgate Street & Bridge Street, it is worth noting
that the act of looking above street level can reveal often missed details in the many different styles of architecture and
outstanding buildings of our town. Big thank you to all who attended for making this an enjoyable photographic walk.
Davy Bolam.
car park for our circular wander around Morpeth. This was a welcome relief after the previous weeks summer walk at
South Beach, Blyth had been cancelled due to the weather. Leaving the start point, our first stop was the area around
the nearby Grade I listed medieval Chantry, built in 1296. Originally a chapel and a school it has had many uses over
the years including a pop factory. It was also the venue for Morpeth Camera Club's weekly meetings from 1984 until
we were forced to leave in 1987, to accommodate the "new" Bagpipe Museum. A small garden to the rear overlooks
the River Wansbeck, the Telford Bridge and the Chantry Footbridge which were all photographed before we continued
south down Wansbeck Street.
Turning west into Hillgate, passing the weir and fish ladder we headed into Carlisle Park. The flower park has always
been a big attraction in Morpeth and the recent introduction of the Emily Wilding Davison sculpture and the restored
Floral Clock have created added interest. With the William Turner Garden, the bird aviary and fine views of the Court
House designed by John Dobson in the style of a medieval castle, group had plenty of subjects to photograph. After
exploring the rear of the court house two little known features were photographed as well as the victorian architecture
of the old police station buildings.
Heading south up Castle Bank we paused at the Morpeth Cenotaph that commemorates 233 men who lost their lives
in WWI and the 77 men who lost their lives in WWII. Leaving the war memorial a small track led us uphill and out onto
the green in front of the original gatehouse of Morpeth Castle, that was built around 1350. This restored building is now
owned by the landmark trust and is a unique holiday let with stunning views over the town.
A footpath then took us down to cross the Postern Burn before a steep climb to the to the top of the Ha Hill. This was
the site of a Norman motte-and-bailey castle, built by the de Merlay family in 1095, and originally a wooden structure.
From this elevated location the evening sunlight gave us a different perspective of the town, although on this occasion
the resident herd of shetland sheep did not seem impressed by our presence and were a bit camera shy. Moving on the
group made there way down to the river, crossing the Elliott bridge next to the boats and then followed the riverside at
the rear of Mathesons Gardens round to the Oldgate Bridge.
Statutory and a colourful climbing wall were found in a brief walk around the grounds of St Roberts RC Church, School &
the Grade II listed Collingwood House, a late 18th-century Georgian house that was the home of Admiral Lord Collingwood
from 1791 to his death at sea in 1810. Returning to our start point via Newgate Street & Bridge Street, it is worth noting
that the act of looking above street level can reveal often missed details in the many different styles of architecture and
outstanding buildings of our town. Big thank you to all who attended for making this an enjoyable photographic walk.
Davy Bolam.