Morpeth Chantry

Morpeth Chantry is a superb 13th Century Grade I listed building situated adjacent to the site of the ancient bridge across the River Wansbeck at Morpeth, parallel to the 19th century road bridge built by Thomas Telford.

It originally served both as a chapel dedicated to All Saints and as a toll house for the river crossing. The duties of the appointed chaplain also included those of schoolmaster. When Edward I returned from Scotland bearing the Stone of Scone in 1296, he must have passed the newly-built Chantry and crossed its stone bridge over the River Wansbeck before spending the night in the first Morpeth Castle.

History of the Chantry

Morpeth Chantry was built as a chapel and chantry dedicated to All Saints in about 1296, and it also served as a toll house for the 13th century river bridge.

The priest also served as a schoolmaster, and after the building was deconsecrated in 1547. King Edward VI granted a Royal Charter refounding the school as a free grammar school. King Eward VI (or KEVI) School occupied the building until 1846 when it relocated to new buildings at its present location on Cottingwood Lane.
The south of the building was built, and part of the east rebuilt, as a Chapel of Ease in 1738 and used as such until 1843.The building was restored in 1980-1, with restoration including a 20th century shop front onto Bridge St.
In the 1880’s it was temporarily renamed “Collingwood House”
Since 1843, the building has since been used for many purposes including::
Corporation Hall (1864-9);
various Shops (1870-1973) including Charles Stoker butchers 1882-1891 then Thomas Fail butchers from 1891 into the early 1900s, and subsequently C A Thew refreshment rooms and tobacconists
From 1882-1975 the rear and riverside of the building was occupied by George Young’s Aeriated Waters factory – a wellknown Morpeth landmark..
Mechanics’ Institute (1872-84); Ladies’ Toilet (1905-65); Antiquarian Society Museum (1965-1979 & 1985), the Northern Poetry Collection (2015-2023). It currently houses the Tourist Information Centre, The Bagpipe Museum, & The Northumbria Craft Centre.

The Chantry is a Grade I listed building (ref 1042759)

The listing commentary highlights:
The (blocked) double-chamfered 13th century transept arch; a (blocked) pointed-arched doorway and a (blocked) lancet.
The west end of former church with a pointed-arched portal in multi-moulded surround, two double-chamfered pointed-arched windows above with 19th century wood tracery with a bellcote above.
The south side built in 1738 has two round-headed windows with intersecting glazing bars in raised surrounds with impost blocks with an oval oeil de boeuf window above, all set in an earlier pointed arch.

The Interior has a three-bay 18th century arcade with round piers and arches with architraves two (blocked) pointed-arched doorways and medieval roof timbers in older part.