Key facts
- Operator
- Landmark Trust
- Condition
- Partial ruin
- Access
- Hotel guests only
- Stays
- Overnight accommodation available
Pinpoint
Castle Cottage, Morpeth NE61 2PP
What survives is really a gatehouse - the original main castle behind it is gone - now run by the Landmark Trust as a holiday let, so it's closed to the public most of the year outside occasional open days. Reviewers are candid that there's more to see nearby at the antiques centre in Morpeth Court than at the castle itself, and some feel the neglected curtain wall remains deserve better upkeep from its trustees.
Worth the trip
The spiral staircase to the upper levels, open on Landmark Trust open days, when reviewers say the interior is well maintained and worth the climb.
Before you go
It sits at the top of a steep flight of steps in Carlisle Park (a stair-free winding path is available for anyone who can't manage them), and is only open to non-guests on advertised Landmark Trust open days - most of the year you'll only see the outside.
Reviews of Morpeth Castle vary noticeably depending on what visitors actually experienced: those who stayed there as Landmark Trust holiday-let guests describe a cosy, well-equipped stay, while visitors who came to view it from outside found it mostly closed to the public, accessible mainly on specific open days. One reviewer was critical of the overgrown, ivy-covered remains of the curtain wall, feeling the historic fabric needs better upkeep. Given the mixed experiences on offer, it's worth checking opening arrangements before visiting.
Gatehouse holiday let
“You climb all those steps to find the castle is a holiday let. The antique centre in the Morpeth Court building is more impressive.”— lisa bonham, visitor review
