Morpeth, an enchanting market town in Northumberland, has been named the top destination in the North East, beloved by locals and tourists alike.
This town is a perfect blend of traditional charm and contemporary buzz, with its farmers markets offering local produce and historical sites providing a glimpse into the nation’s past.
Known for its ‘charming streets’, Morpeth has clinched the number one spot on a list of the top five towns in the north east, curated by experts from the globally esteemed property company Sotheby’s.
It has outperformed nearby Alnwick and other contenders such as Whitley Bay and Hexham, earning accolades for ‘combining history and heritage with the everyday hustle and bustle of a modern market town’.
The guide also gave nods to Barnard Castle in County Durham and Staithes in North Yorkshire. Sotheby’s online review of Morpeth described it as: “Morpeth is a quaint village in Northumberland nestled on the banks of the River Wansbeck.”
It went on to say: “Famed for its charming streets, traditional farmers markets (every Saturday of the month), stylish boutiques, and upscale restaurants are dotted around its cobbled corners.”
The appraisal by Sotheby’s pointed out Morpeth’s key attractions, including the Sanderson Arcade shopping area, Carlisle Park with its summer-attracting paddling pool, and historic landmarks like the 13th-century Morpeth Castle and Wallington Hall, the largest estate under National Trust stewardship.
Whitley Bay, although not outdoing Morpeth in the Sotheby guide, still received high praise as ‘a warm and welcoming seaside town’, renowned for its Blue Flag beach and a range of cosy pubs, artisan bakeries, and independent cafes. Hexham also garnered positive feedback, being depicted as ‘a quintessentially British riverside town with a Viking-era history’, reports the Express.
The Hexham Old Gaol was highlighted for its ‘intriguing collection of images, books, and poems that add to the town’s history’.
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