The Clock Tower (Morpeth)
Morpeth Clock Tower. Photo by Northumberland County Council.
[NZ 19768595] Clock Tower. (1)
The Tower in Oldgate goes by the name of Clock House and there is a tradition that the clock was brought from Bothal Castle. The bells were given c.1705. The lowest floor was used as a prison and correction house until the early 19th century. (2)
'Cloake House' [Mentioned in a deed dated 28th March 1578]. (3)
Scheduled Ancient Monument. (4)
[(3) possibly applies]
The Clock Tower is a square stone building standing in the centre of the street called Oldgate. The lower portion of the building has the appearance of considerable antiquity, in the form of small windows and much weathered stone. A plaque on the east side states that it was repaired in 1769, referring probably to the upper part which is of considerably later date than the lower.
The date of building of this tower was not ascertained during recording or field investigation, the earliest certain reference to it being in 1705 (2). The 'Cloake House' referred to in (3) could not be identified with the Clock Tower which is not show on W Haywarde's Map of Morpeth dated 1604.
In view of the lack of definite evidence this Clock Tower has been attributed to possibly late 17th century. (5)
[See G.P attached to further card]
Condition unchanged. (6)
The Town Steeple (Clock Tower), Grade I.
14th century, heightened 17th century and in 1703; has been scheduled as an Ancient Monument. (7)
The Clock Tower, Grade II*. Belfry and clock tower, ground floor formerly a lock-up. Probably early 17th century re-using earlier masonry. Top floor added 1705. Three storeys, 70ft high x 25ft square. Inscription above first floor recess records repairs in 1760. Clock on second floor. Bell openings on third floor. Small stone figures in 18th century dress stand on the corners of the parapet.
Outside stone steps on west side, to first floor. Small 14th century window. (8)
The Town Belfry, Morpeth. 15th century, with later additions. May have been used as a refuge as well as a signal or warning tower. (9)
Rare isolated belfry. (10)
The tower stands five storeys high and measures 5.6m square by 16.4m high with walls about 0.93m thick at basement level. It is built of squared and coursed sandstone blocks. Some irregularities in the stonework are due to refacing and patching, but others seem integral with the fabric. The latest phase of renewal occurred in the 1980s.
The earliest refrence to the building may be from 11th April 1659 when Thomas Milburne was threatened with a fine for 'laying his rubbish at the Clock House'. The tower was used in association with the adjoining shambles, or meat market, and until 1802 was used as the town lock-up.
Woods map of 1826 shows the tower with an attached enclosure on the east. However, the shambles seem to have been demolished by this date. Some pictures and early photographs show varying numbers of statues at the top corners of the tower. In the later 19th century photographs show another addition, the fishmarket, on the east side of the tower. It is suggested that there may have been a general restoration at the end of the 19th century after removal of the fishmarket.
A detailed description of the external and internal fabric is given. In summary, it is suggested that the tower was constructed from re-used fabric and features of an earlier building, possibly from a former gateway which stood at the west end of Oldgate until 1634, or from Newminster Abbey. The arrangement of an archway on the east side of the basement is set 'inside-out' and suggests the tower was built in relationship with another structure. The present access to the upper floors seem to be original, although the stairs may have been rebuilt. The small chamfered windows on the first and second floors are probably also original. On the third floor, the Clock Chamber, the west window seems to be the only intact original opening. The large openings in this stage of the tower may have been built to show the four faces of the original clock, rather than as belfry openings. This top stage is a later addition but its exact date is unclear.
The original fabric of the tower remains relatively intact with the only major changes being the blocking of the old bell openings. Inside the tower old floor beams survive at most levels. (11)
The clock tower on Oldgate is a central landmark building in Morpeth and a well preserved example of a post-medieval clock tower with few later alterations. The lower portion of the tower is medieval and provides insight into the medieval history of the town. The structure of the monument will contain archaeological information relating to its construction and use and provides insight into the use of post-medieval municipal buildings.
Scheduled. (12)
NZ 198 859. Bell tower or clock tower. Scheduled No ND/110. (13a)
The Tower in Oldgate goes by the name of Clock House and there is a tradition that the clock was brought from Bothal Castle. The bells were given c.1705. The lowest floor was used as a prison and correction house until the early 19th century. (2)
'Cloake House' [Mentioned in a deed dated 28th March 1578]. (3)
Scheduled Ancient Monument. (4)
[(3) possibly applies]
The Clock Tower is a square stone building standing in the centre of the street called Oldgate. The lower portion of the building has the appearance of considerable antiquity, in the form of small windows and much weathered stone. A plaque on the east side states that it was repaired in 1769, referring probably to the upper part which is of considerably later date than the lower.
The date of building of this tower was not ascertained during recording or field investigation, the earliest certain reference to it being in 1705 (2). The 'Cloake House' referred to in (3) could not be identified with the Clock Tower which is not show on W Haywarde's Map of Morpeth dated 1604.
In view of the lack of definite evidence this Clock Tower has been attributed to possibly late 17th century. (5)
[See G.P attached to further card]
Condition unchanged. (6)
The Town Steeple (Clock Tower), Grade I.
14th century, heightened 17th century and in 1703; has been scheduled as an Ancient Monument. (7)
The Clock Tower, Grade II*. Belfry and clock tower, ground floor formerly a lock-up. Probably early 17th century re-using earlier masonry. Top floor added 1705. Three storeys, 70ft high x 25ft square. Inscription above first floor recess records repairs in 1760. Clock on second floor. Bell openings on third floor. Small stone figures in 18th century dress stand on the corners of the parapet.
Outside stone steps on west side, to first floor. Small 14th century window. (8)
The Town Belfry, Morpeth. 15th century, with later additions. May have been used as a refuge as well as a signal or warning tower. (9)
Rare isolated belfry. (10)
The tower stands five storeys high and measures 5.6m square by 16.4m high with walls about 0.93m thick at basement level. It is built of squared and coursed sandstone blocks. Some irregularities in the stonework are due to refacing and patching, but others seem integral with the fabric. The latest phase of renewal occurred in the 1980s.
The earliest refrence to the building may be from 11th April 1659 when Thomas Milburne was threatened with a fine for 'laying his rubbish at the Clock House'. The tower was used in association with the adjoining shambles, or meat market, and until 1802 was used as the town lock-up.
Woods map of 1826 shows the tower with an attached enclosure on the east. However, the shambles seem to have been demolished by this date. Some pictures and early photographs show varying numbers of statues at the top corners of the tower. In the later 19th century photographs show another addition, the fishmarket, on the east side of the tower. It is suggested that there may have been a general restoration at the end of the 19th century after removal of the fishmarket.
A detailed description of the external and internal fabric is given. In summary, it is suggested that the tower was constructed from re-used fabric and features of an earlier building, possibly from a former gateway which stood at the west end of Oldgate until 1634, or from Newminster Abbey. The arrangement of an archway on the east side of the basement is set 'inside-out' and suggests the tower was built in relationship with another structure. The present access to the upper floors seem to be original, although the stairs may have been rebuilt. The small chamfered windows on the first and second floors are probably also original. On the third floor, the Clock Chamber, the west window seems to be the only intact original opening. The large openings in this stage of the tower may have been built to show the four faces of the original clock, rather than as belfry openings. This top stage is a later addition but its exact date is unclear.
The original fabric of the tower remains relatively intact with the only major changes being the blocking of the old bell openings. Inside the tower old floor beams survive at most levels. (11)
The clock tower on Oldgate is a central landmark building in Morpeth and a well preserved example of a post-medieval clock tower with few later alterations. The lower portion of the tower is medieval and provides insight into the medieval history of the town. The structure of the monument will contain archaeological information relating to its construction and use and provides insight into the use of post-medieval municipal buildings.
Scheduled. (12)
NZ 198 859. Bell tower or clock tower. Scheduled No ND/110. (13a)
N11076
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1954; E Geary
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1971; B H Pritchard
BUILDING SURVEY, The Morpeth Clock Tower 2000
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1971; B H Pritchard
BUILDING SURVEY, The Morpeth Clock Tower 2000
Disclaimer -
Please note that this information has been compiled from a number of different sources. Durham County Council and Northumberland County Council can accept no responsibility for any inaccuracy contained therein. If you wish to use/copy any of the images, please ensure that you read the Copyright information provided.