Carlisle Park is a public park on the south bank of the River Wansbeck in central Morpeth, with formal gardens, woodland and recreation areas. It is open all year round and free to enter, so you can combine a walk through its gardens with time by the river or a visit to the play areas.
- Location: Off Castle Square, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 1YD.
- Admission: Free; open all year round.
- Access: The Castle Square and Newmarket routes described by the council are tarmac and wheelchair accessible.
Where is Carlisle Park in Morpeth?
Carlisle Park is in central Morpeth, on the south bank of the River Wansbeck. The council gives its address as Carlisle Park Office, Off Castle Square, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 1YD.
There are several entrances: Castle Square is closest to the William Turner Garden and formal gardens, while the Newmarket entrance is closest to the play areas, paddling pool, toilets and bowling greens. You can also include Mafeking Park in Morpeth in a local park visit.
The park’s history reaches back to a gift from the Countess of Carlisle, who gave the land to Morpeth in 1916. It officially opened on 11 September 1929. Nearby Morpeth Castle dates from the 13th and 14th centuries; after the siege of 1641, its gatehouse and a small section of wall remained.
What paths and gardens can you explore?
Carlisle Park combines garden paths, open recreation areas and woodland, with some hills and steps along the way. Paths are a mix of tarmac and compacted bitumen, so choose your entrance and route with the terrain in mind. The William Turner Garden is wheelchair accessible.
The William Turner Garden is a herb and knot garden commemorating botanist William Turner, who was born in Morpeth around 1508. For the closest approach to this garden and the formal gardens, use the Castle Square entrance.
Ha’ Hill, an 11th-century motte-and-bailey, has steps leading to its top from Postern Woods and from behind the sports area. The council asks visitors not to feed the sheep and to keep dogs under control.
What facilities and access details should you know?
The park has formal gardens, an aviary, play areas, a paddling pool, ancient woodland, picnic areas, toilets, tennis courts, bowling greens and a skate park. The Newmarket entrance is the closest of the two described entrances to the play areas, paddling pool, toilets and bowling greens.
Park toilets are open between 1 April and 31 October, and are closed during winter. The paddling pool is scheduled to open from the second bank holiday in May until the end of the school summer holidays in September. The bowling pavilion operates from April to September, while tennis courts can be hired all year round.
The Morpeth Gathering takes place on the weekend after Easter, and Picnic in the Park takes place every July. If you plan around a facility or event, check the official site before you go.
Where can you park near Carlisle Park?
There is no car parking inside Carlisle Park. The council identifies Castle Square and Newmarket as the nearest car parks. It also says there is a drop-off point in the formal gardens, but cars cannot park or wait there.
Castle Square, Newmarket East and Newmarket West car parks have a three-hour maximum stay, with free parking and a parking-disc requirement. The council says its all-day car parks, except Morpeth Railway Station, allow parking for up to 24 hours Monday to Sunday, including bank holidays; you must remove your vehicle for at least four hours before returning.
Morpeth bus station and train station are both within a 15-minute walk of the park, and some bus services stop outside Castle Square.
From Waterford Lodge rooms for a Carlisle Park visit, the park is about an eight-minute walk away.
FAQs
Is Carlisle Park free to enter?
Yes. Carlisle Park has no admission charge and is open all year round.
Is Carlisle Park wheelchair accessible?
The council describes the routes from Castle Square and Newmarket as tarmac and wheelchair accessible. The William Turner Garden is also wheelchair accessible, though some park areas have steep hills and steps.
Can you park inside Carlisle Park?
No. There is no car parking inside the park; Castle Square and Newmarket are the nearest car parks identified by the council.
Can you plan a day in Morpeth on foot?
Carlisle Park is in central Morpeth, and the one-day itinerary for Morpeth on foot offers a walking-focused way to plan time around town.