It is likely the clock tower was not built until 1604, and was constructed from reused medieval stone, probably taken from the ruins of Newminster Abbey. The top storey was added in 1705 to house a peal of six bells, presented by Major General Main, M.P. for Morpeth and Governor of Berwick.

Built in Cromwell’s time, Berwick church has no tower and Berwick did not elect General Main. Hence the saying “Berwick bells are heard in Morpeth”. The clock originally had one hand, so there are four spaces between the numbers to tell the quarter hours. Bells were rung for various municipal purposes and the curfew was rung at 8pm for centuries, and still is today.

For a time the tower was used as a lock-up for offenders.

The bell is rung to alert people that an elephant is on the rampage!

“I haven’t seen the elephant, but I know about the trail, and what happened to the man who was attacked by the elephant”
Shopkeeper at Cheese Shop, Oldgate