Category: Visitor Attractions

Discovering Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum

Posted on April 14, 2025 by - North East Attractions, Northumberland, Visitor Attractions

Tucked away in the heart of Morpeth, the Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum is a hidden gem that celebrates the rich heritage of both Northumbrian and traditional bagpipes from across Europe and beyond. Housed in a beautifully restored medieval chapel, the museum offers a fascinating journey through the history, craftsmanship, and the music of these unique instruments.

alt="image of bagpipes with Northumberland tartan"
Credit and Copyright ©: Colin Davison

Northumberland is the only county in England with its very own musical instrument, the Northumbrian small pipes, and the Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum is the first bagpipe museum in the UK. The Northumbrian small pipes are bellows-blown bagpipes and they produce a sweet mellow sound and although they date back to the 17th century they are still played today and have become more well known through musicians such at Kathryn Tickell who is the most famous contemporary player of these traditional pipes.

This little museum not only tells the history of these remarkable pipes but also delves into piping traditions and of course the bagpipe museum would not be complete without allowing you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the iconic sound of the Northumbrian small pipes during your visit.

alt="close up image of bagpipes at Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe museum"
Credit and Copyright ©: Colin Davison

Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe museum houses over 120 sets of pipes in its collection and includes pipes from across Europe, including decorative sets from Scotland, Spain, Italy, France, Estonia and beyond. It showcases an extensive collection from master clock maker and pipe enthusiastic, William Alfred Cocks, a set of bagpipes said to have belonged to King Louis XIV of France, a miniature set made for Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House and pipes from the Jacobite Rising.

alt="Inside of museum area at Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum"

Alongside these amazing displays, visitors can also watch the museum space come to life with regular live musical performances, ‘Learn to Play in a Day’ and ‘Meet the Piper’ sessions. It’s a hive of creative activity, with the Northern Poetry Library and Craft Centre also located in this historic building.

Whether you’re a seasoned piper, a history enthusiast, or simply curious about the hauntingly beautiful sounds of the pipes, this little museum provides an immersive experience that brings some traditions of the past to life.

Morpeth Chantry, also known as All Saints Chantry, is a Grade I listed building situated adjacent to the site of the ancient bridge across the River Wansbeck in Morpeth. It was built in the 13th century and served as a chapel dedicated to All Saints and was also a toll house where local townspeople had to pay the priest a toll to cross the river, and in fact you can still see the foundations of the town’s Medieval bridge in the river below. Keep your eyes peeled as you admire the Chantry building and see if you can spot the oldest window in Morpeth.

alt="Front aspect of Morpeth Chantry bagpipe museum"

Through the centuries the Chantry building has been many things, the town grammar school from the 1550s up until 1846, as council offices and concert venue in Victorian times, and as a mineral water factory in the 20th century and more latterly The Chantry was finally restored in the 1980s to be used as the museum and craft centre that you see today.

Morpeth is not only home to this unique little museum but it is also a lovely town to visit so be sure to enjoy all this thriving market town has to offer, the parks, gardens, shops, weekly market and the old Morpeth Castle gatehouse. For more information on what Morpeth has to offer head to our recent blog post.

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Rowing boats on the River Wansbeck in Morpeth
Morpeth Clock Tower

Visit Amble

Posted on March 10, 2025 by - North East Attractions, Northumberland, Visitor Attractions

Northumberland is blessed with some of the loveliest towns and you will find each one with its own distinct character and appeal, and each one with a unique offering for a perfect day out. The town of Amble sits on the stunning Northumberland coast and is somewhat of a hidden gem that perfectly blends seaside charm with a vibrant local culture. Amble prides itself as being “The Friendliest Port,” and this picturesque harbour town offers visitors a bustling marina, an abundance of fresh seafood, and breathtaking coastal walks.

alt="Looking out to sea from Amble with red and white lighthouse"

The Harbour Village in Amble is a charming waterfront destination that perfectly captures the town’s maritime spirit. Located along the picturesque harbour, this collection of wooden retail pods is home to a variety of independent traders, offering everything from handcrafted jewellery and artisan gifts to locally produced food and drink. It’s the perfect place for some light retail browsing or sampling some freshly caught seafood, or just simply enjoying a coffee while taking in the views of the marina.

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Harbour Village in Amble

The town is also home to The Northumberland Seafood Centre that gives visitors a unique insight into the region’s fishing heritage and sustainable seafood practices. Here, you can see a variety of locally caught fish and seafood, learn about responsible fishing methods and it’s the perfect opportunity to buy the very freshest catch of the day and get some top tips on how to create the tastiest fish dish!

alt="Amble harbour with lobster pots"

Amble offers many great dining options and as you would expect have a fabulous choice of seafood. Among the many fishy options is The Fish Shack, a rustic harbourside retreat that provides a relaxed atmosphere with harbour views and outdoor seating. Their menu not only includes the obligatory fish and chips but a fantastic choice of the freshest daily catch including smoked seafood, freshly steamed mussels, delicious seasonal specials with the menu also including Lindisfarne oysters and divine sharing platters. This modest little restaurant has also featured on The Hairy Bikers TV series and is hugely popular and therefore booking is advisable.

Amble has plenty of walking opportunities too and is the perfect place for a coastal stroll or a walk to take in some of the local wildlife. Enjoy a 3 mile stretch of the Northumberland Coastal Path that joins Amble to the village of Warkworth which gives you the perfect opportunity to explore this picturesque little village with and the impressive Warkworth Castle.

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Warkworth Castle

Amble is also home to the ‘Bord Waalk‘, a name derived of local dialect, and is an art trail set in and around this pretty coastal town which takes in a fantastic array of physical sculptures, poetry, and music and with each piece of art inspired by birdlife and the beautiful surrounding coastline. The 15 art installations have been produced by artists from all over Europe and from Amble itself. The trail can be done in part or in sections and stretches from Hauxley Nature Reserve up to Amble braid which offers wonderful views of the estuary and coastline.

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alt=sphere sculpture of birds in silver"

Just a mile offshore from Amble is Coquet Island with its distinctive lighthouse, the island is a vibrant RSPB Seabird Reserve and is home to 40,000 nesting seabirds including Puffin, Common Sandwich and Arctic Terns, and the rare Roseate Tern. Coquet Island is home to 90% of the UK’s Roseate Tern population and is the only place where they bred and therefore visiting the island is prohibited by law to protect the wildlife, however if you would like to get a little closer to this seabird haven there are ‘Puffin Cruises’ from Amble harbour that run from late March.

alt="island in the distance off the the coast of amble with pink sunset sky and flat sea"
Coquet Island off the the coast of Amble

In May each year Amble becomes awash with all things puffin with their annual Puffin Festival which of course celebrates the Coquet Island puffins! The event includes guided nature walks, bird watching, local history talks, exhibitions, arts and crafts, watersports and live music throughout the town and of course boat trips to see the wonderful birds themselves.

alt="close up of puffin with fish in mouth"

This friendly little port is a great destination for visitors and whether you’re delving into the life of a lobster, exploring the nearby historic Warkworth Castle, indulging in delicious local cuisine at the Harbour Village, or simply soaking up the tranquil seaside atmosphere, the town of Amble offers a lovely day out in Northumberland.

Remarkable Romans – Chesters Roman Fort

Posted on January 10, 2025 by - Hadrian's Wall Area Attractions, North East Attractions, Northumberland, Visitor Attractions

alt="Chesters roman fort ruins in grassed area"

No trip to Northumberland would be complete without a visit to at least one of the amazing Roman sites along Hadrian’s Wall and just a 5 minute drive from St Oswald’s Farm lies the impressive Chesters Roman Fort which gives a remarkable window into Britain’s Roman past. As one of the best-preserved Roman cavalry forts in the country, Chesters offers visitors an unparalleled opportunity to step back nearly 2000 years and explore life at the edge of the Roman Empire.

Chesters Roman Fort, originally known as Cilurnum, was built around AD123 to guard a strategic crossing over the River North Tyne. This fort was home to a garrison of around 500 Roman soldiers who were tasked with defending this frontier of the Roman Empire. Today, Chesters stands as a testament to what can only be described as amazing Roman engineering and its well-preserved ruins invite visitors to imagine the daily lives of the soldiers who once patrolled these grounds.

One of the highlights of the Chesters site is the remarkable bathhouse area where you can explore the various rooms used for cold, warm and hot baths, and marvel at the advanced underfloor heating system, a sophistication that truly showcases Roman engineering!

alt="Chesters bath house changing area"
Bath House changing rooms! Image credit: Peter C Angus

As you explore this picturesque riverside location the remains of the commandant’s house provides a glimpse into the accommodation of the fort’s commanding officer and the size and layout of this structure highlights the status and importance of the fort’s leadership. Take a walk through the ruins of the soldiers’ barracks and stables where the Roman cavalry and their horses lived and trained which paints a vivid picture of life in this once bustling Roman military base. As you walk among its ancient stones and imagine the lives of the Roman soldiers who once called it home, you’ll gain a profound appreciation for the legacy of the Roman Empire in Britain.

Chesters museum and collections are housed in a Victorian building on-site and is a treasure trove of Roman artefacts from intricately carved altars and inscriptions to tools and personal items, the collection provides deeper insight into the lives of the Romans stationed at Cilurnum. The collection at Chesters contains 53 centurial stones which give the names of the centurions who, together with their men built Hadrian’s Wall. When you stay with us be sure to try to spot our Centurion stone that is built into the front of the farmhouse here together with a second engraved stone in one of our farm buildings.

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alt="roman centurion stone in old building"
Roman Centurion stones at St Oswald’s Farm

When visiting Chesters you will undoubtedly spot the remains on the eastern river bank of a bridge and in fact the remains are not of one but two successive bridges, an early one that carried Hadrian’s Wall and a second, much larger one, that carried the Military Way, the road that serviced the Wall. This site is free to visit and can be accessed by a short walk either from Chesters or from nearby Chollerford and details can be found here.

alt="Chesters bridge abutment with clube skies and grassed riverbank"

Chesters Roman Fort isn’t just a historical site it’s a really lovely place to visit, so whether you’re a true history buff or just someone who wants to take in a little history in a pretty spot this timeless treasure in the heart of Hadrian’s Wall country won’t disappoint. For more Roman sites to enjoy see our posts on Vindolanda, Housesteads and The Roman Army Museum.

Spotlight on Bamburgh Castle

Posted on September 9, 2024 by - North East Attractions, Northumberland, Visitor Attractions

Bamburgh Castle has stood guard above the spectacular Northumberland coastline for over 1400 years, a royal fortress, a Norman stronghold and today a coastal home. This national treasure is an imposing and dominant structure that sits 150ft up on a rocky plateau and spans across nine acres of land and is one of the largest inhabited castles in the country.

alt="Bamburgh Castle with sand dunes below"

The castle and grounds are simply magnificent and there is so much to admire and enjoy, wander around the superbly kept grounds which include the ruins of St Peter’s Chapel, Windmill cannons and of course the opportunity to take in the striking views of the north east coast looking over as far as The Farne Islands and Lindisfarne, and you’ll see almost a bird’s eye view of the village of Bamburgh itself. Visit The Battery Terrace, The Inner Ward, Neville Tower, the Victorian stables and The West Ward which contains the Armstrong & Aviation Museum, the castle’s windmill and the original entrance to the medieval fortress called St Oswald’s Gate. The 12th century Keep is the oldest surviving part of the castle and the walls, in parts, are an incredible eleven feet thick and this massive block like structure sits on a huge plinth which was to stop attackers digging underneath to collapse the walls. Today it houses an impressive Armoury, a collection of weapons that includes muskets, pikes, halberds, composite bow and crossbow.

alt="cannon terrace looking out over the North Sea with blue skies"

Inside the castle itself is even more impressive and there are fourteen state rooms to discover that are packed with heirlooms and artefacts and stories covering the hundreds of years of history, including the medieval kitchen, The Cross Hall, The Library, The Faire Chamber and the magnificent Victorian masterpiece, The King’s Hall with its incredible teak ceiling. Bamburgh Castle is one of the most important Anglo-Saxon sites in the world and the Archaeology Museum housed within the castle is home to some of the most extraordinary collections and finds such as the gold Bamburgh Beast and a rare pattern welded sword.

Amongst the historic collections you may also spot mementos from guests including items from members of The Royal Family, authors, politicians and actors. Bamburgh Castle has featured in countless films and small screen productions, from Transformers The Last Knight, to Netflix hit Frontier and of course, The Last Kingdom.

alt="King's Hall in Bamburgh Castle"
alt="armoury in Bamburgh Castle"

If all those views and history have you left you peckish then the Clock Tower Café and Tack Room Takeaway offer a great selection of hot and cold food to choose from including freshly made sandwiches, hearty soups and homemade cakes. Sit indoors or there’s plenty of outdoor seating around the grounds where you can take in the views while enjoying something to eat.

Bamburgh Castle is a definite must see whilst visiting Northumberland, once you’ve enjoyed the castle be sure to take in the ambience of the pretty village with it’s church and of course the beautiful beach. It’s such a lovely day out and if you’d like to find out more about visiting this iconic castle then please go to their website.

A National Trust Beauty – Gibside

Posted on July 14, 2024 by - North East Attractions, Visitor Attractions

If you’re planning to visit some National Trust properties during your stay then Gibside in Tyne & Wear is just part of the fantastic National Trust offer across the North East of England.

Set amid the backdrop of the Derwent Valley, close to Newcastle, Gibside boasts both historic ruins and the space for walking, enjoying wildlife and with some spectacular and perhaps unexpected views. It is one of the few surviving 18th Century landscapes and was designed to make the most of the surrounding vistas and create some real ‘wow’ moments.

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There are 600 acres of gardens, woodland and countryside to explore with four marked walks to choose from, The Liberty Trail, The Nature Trail, The Explorer Trail and Valley Views Trail with each one taking you on a different route around the landscape. The many miles of pathways are perfect for peaceful walks where you can enjoy wildlife spotting and with plenty of places to stop and pause, or you might choose to venture off into the wider Estate to enjoy a hike over more varied terrain.

alt="Column to liberty in the distance with trees leading to it"
The Column to Liberty in the distance

There are many highlights and landmarks across the site including a restored stable block, ruins of the Grand Hall, the walled garden and garden cottage, the orangery and overlooking it all, The Column to Liberty. However perhaps the centrepiece of the Bowes’ Georgian landscape garden is the neo-classical chapel which was designed by renowned Palladian architect James Paine which sits framed by trees at the end of the half mile-long avenue.

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Gibside’s neo-classical chapel
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The avenue at Gibside

If you would prefer to enjoy Gibside with the guidance of an expert tour guide then there are both landscape garden tours and history tours, although days and times vary so please do check in advance. There are all the usual facilities you would expect to find at a large NT property, with cafe, loos, shop and second hand book shop and with a varied programme of seasonal events.

National Trust properties are always a superb way to spend a day out during your holiday here and we’re lucky to have some real beauties in this part of the UK. For more NT inspiration take a look at our recent blog post about one of our own favourites, the magnificent Cragside House and Estate.

Discovering Morpeth

Posted on May 4, 2021 by - North East Attractions, Northumberland, Visitor Attractions

Northumberland is home to a number of market towns, each one boasting it’s own unique charm, character and many steeped in Northumbrian history. The town of Morpeth sits on the river Wansbeck and is only a half hour’s drive from St Oswald’s Farm. Morpeth is a bustling market town where history and traditional market town charm and independent retail meets with modern shopping centres and trendy wine bars. The cobbled streets, the markets, the walks and the park area together with a unique heritage all give the town an irresistible beauty.

A visit to any market town must include a spot of retail therapy and Morpeth doesn’t disappoint. You will find the Farmers’ Market in town on the first Saturday every month and the weekly charter market in the Market Place each Wednesday. As well the markets the town is packed with retail offerings, the Sanderson Arcade and the charming precinct together with Rutherford’s department store are perfect for browsing and picking up lovely gifts. There is a superb mix of independent shops together with some of your high street favourites.

River walk
Carlisle Park

If you’re seeking a green space Carlisle Park is centrally located in the town and is open every day so it’s always a great time to visit. It includes the William Turner Garden, tennis courts, bowling green, aviary and is home to one of only four working Floral Clocks in the country.

Take a walk up to the castle or there is mature deciduous woodland with lovely, but also very hilly woodland walks, there are even rowing boats if you fancy taking to the water and testing your rowing skills. Or of course Carlisle Park is the perfect spot for a picnic and to sit and watch the world go by!

If you visit in Spring Morpeth’s Bluebell Woods are beautiful when the woodland floor becomes carpeted with bluebells. Properly known as Howburun Woods are names for the How Burn which flows through them into the River Wansbeck. As well as the bluebells, expect to see an array of woodland plants, red squirrels, birds – and the occasional deer.

alt="bluebell carpeted woodland in Morpeth"
Bluebell Woods

As with all Northumbrian Market Towns there is a unique offering of history to enjoy and Morpeth is no different. Northumberland is the only county in England with its own dedicated musical instrument and Morpeth is home to a museum that celebrates and plays homage to our Northumbrian Pipes – a unique part of the heritage of Northumberland. Tucked away in a stunning 13th Century Grade 1 listed building is The Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum which boasts a treasure trove of instruments and along with the fascinating displays, the museum often comes to life with regular live musical performances and ‘meet the piper’ sessions. The Chantry is also home to the Northern Poetry Library and Craft Centre and even the building itself has a story to tell, with townspeople once over having to pay a toll to the local priest to cross the river! You can still see the foundations of the town’s Medieval bridge in the river today.

alt="northumbrian pipes in museum in Morpeth"
The Chantry Museum – Home of the Northumberland Pipes

The town has plenty of free parking and with a great choice of places to eat or grab a coffee it’s the perfect destination for a day out. For more information on visiting this lovely Market Town please go to the More in Morpeth website.

If you enjoy the buzz of a market town just take your pick, as whichever one you choose you’ll be sure of a warm Northumbrian welcome.