Accessible Christmas Shopping in Morpeth

[updated November 2024]

If you celebrate Christmas, shopping for gifts for your loved ones can be one of the best parts of the festivities. Most shops, even the smaller independent ones, now offer internet shopping. But there’s nothing quite like being out and about shopping in the run-up to Christmas, soaking up the atmosphere, smells, and Christmas spirit.

Christmas shopping in person is particularly important for older adults who may not have much social interaction on a day-to-day basis. Going into shops and having a conversation is so important for those who live on their own. But if their mobility isn’t what it used to be, shopping can be a big challenge.

This post shares some of the best places to shop in Morpeth that are easy to access.

Planning a shopping trip to Morpeth

Morpeth town centre is a lovely place to shop with an excellent mix of small, independent shops as well as High Street favourites. There are also plenty of places to eat if you’re planning on making a day of it.

Shopping has several benefits for older adults such as stimulating cognitive processes, promoting social engagement, and provides exercise at a leisurely pace. For those who need a bit of help and support, planning is key to having a successful and enjoyable trip.

The main shopping streets are Bridge Street, Newgate Street and Oldgate, all radiating out from the roundabout, close to the Market Place and historical Clock Tower.

Morpeth has a number of car parks located nearby which can be seen on the parking map on the County Council website. Parking is free as long as you keep within the 3 hour time limit and display a parking disc (these can be purchased from disc dispensers in some car parks, and some local shops, for £1). For longer than 3 hours you'll see there are some long stay car parks highlighted on the map. On the main shopping streets there are also a number of accessible parking bays for Blue Badge holders.

Disabled Parking Bays in Morpeth (on street)

Newgate Street:

2 bays outside the Age UK shop

Bridge Street:

2 bays outside Santander Bank

3 bays outside Holland & Barratt

and on the other side of the street are

2 bays right outside the entrance to the Sanderson Arcade

Wide range of accessible shops

Morpeth has a wide range of independent shops offering a friendly shopping experience. Shop staff are happy to chat, providing a traditional shopping experience as they share their expertise and knowledge to help you find what you’re looking for. They will be quick to jump up to help you with doors and to reach any products which are hard to reach.

Accessibility in the Sanderson Arcade shops and the larger stores such as WH Smith and Marks & Spencer tends to be good, with floors being level and access to upper levels via a lift.

For this article, however, I wanted to focus on the smaller independent shops that have good accessibility. Most of the shops I've listed below have level access at their entrance, except for a few which I've noted as having a small step up.

If you park in one of the main Stanley Terrace car parks and walk towards the Bus Station you'll come across the Morpeth Larder which is the first shop/cafe I've listed below. I've then listed the shops in the order you would come across them if you continued on by walking through the cut to Newgate Street, then to Oldgate, then back to go along Bridge Street to the Chantry, and then back and through the Sanderson Arcade to return to the car park.

Morpeth Larder

A great place for foodie gifts, Morpeth Larder stocks a range of wine, spirits, and food hampers that have been curated with a great deal of care and attention. There’s also a deli if you’re looking for something to tickle your tastebuds from the huge range of products available.

It’s also a good place for a pit stop during your shopping trip as there’s a lovely coffee shop with indoor and outdoor seating. They also provide afternoon tea which you can enjoy in the café, or take home with you to have in the comfort of your own home.

Paint Pots

If you head down the covered pedestrian walkway called Old Nag's Head Yard you'll see Paint Pots on your right. I must admit I was disappointed when the fabulous Gift Pod closed down, but Paint Pots looks like a lovely addition to Morpeth town centre. They offer 2-hour pottery painting sessions with Gift Vouchers available.

T & G Allan

T&G Allan has been a feature in Morpeth town centre for 160 years. It’s a top destination for cards and stationery with easy access to the ground floor from the entrance on Newgate Street. You’ll also find the Post Office at the back (up a few steps inside or you can find level access from the side of the building). So you can buy your cards, write them out, and then send them all in one trip.

The toy department is upstairs and although there's not a lift, the friendly staff offer to bring items down to look at on request.

The Packhorse Yard Shops

On the other side of Newgate Street is a picturesque alleyway with a collection of shops that sell a range of products. Most of the shops in Packhorse Yard are accessible if you can manage a small step either on your own or with assistance.

Stait Photo

Down towards the Market Place, Stait Photo celebrated their 70th Anniversary as a family business in 2023, although the business was then sold in 2024. With a wide range of personalised photograph gifts from calendars and photo books to mugs and phone cases, Stait Photo is a great place to buy unique gifts for your loved ones. It also provides a wide range of photo services as well as gifts.

The Cheese Shop

A family-run business with over 30 years of experience, The Cheese Shop is one of the biggest cheese retailers in the North East. Stocking over 160 different varieties from around the world, you’re bound to find something for the cheese lover in your life.

They also stock a range of biscuits and condiments as well as food and other gift sets. Located on Oldgate, the shop has good accessibility, and you can pre-order for your Christmas cheeseboard.

Oldgate - Bella Boos and The Artisan Gift Studio

If you’re able to manage a step, there are some other great shops for gifts on Oldgate such as Bella Boos which sells a wide range of things from hair accessories to gifts and cards (and has an amazing mural on the outside wall facing the bridge). Across the road from the Cheese Shop is the yummy Carousel of Chocolates.

Grape & Grain

Crossing over to Bridge Street, if you’re looking for the perfect bottle of wine or beer to give as a gift, Grape & Grain has a wide selection. The home of independent fine wine and craft beer in Morpeth, the knowledgeable staff are on hand to talk you through all of the options to help you find the perfect gift.

Rutherfords Department Store

Rutherfords is Morpeth’s independent family-owned department store located on Bridge Street. The treasure trove is on the ground floor which has an accessible entrance and is where you can buy a wide range of gifts and accessories that have been sourced from around the world.

If you’re on the hunt for clothing gifts or need a sit-down and refuel, the lift at the back of the store will take you up to the clothing department and café.

Morpeth Chantry

It is well worth the short walk to the other end of Bridge Street to find the 13th-century Chantry overlooking the River Wansbeck. The craft centre and gift shop have an accessible entrance via the barn door and sell a wide selection of beautiful and unique craft pieces, gifts, paintings, prints, and photography items. The Chantry is also home to the Tourist Information Centre and the Bagpipe Museum.

Mr Simms Sweet Shop

Back along Bridge Street into the Sanderson Arcade you’ll find the colourful Mr Simms sweet shop in the Sanderson Arcade. You can buy pretty much every type of sweet you can think of, in the traditional way, by weight, so you can get as little or as much as you want.

Markets and High Street Names

In addition to the shops, there are regular markets in the town centre with the weekly one taking place every Wednesday. There is also a monthly farmers market on the first Saturday of every month and a street food market on the fourth Saturday of every month. All of the markets run from 9am until 3pm.

All shops in the Sanderson Arcade are on one level (except for Marks & Spencer which has lifts to the first floor) with accessible entrances. If you’re looking for High Street names, Boots and WHSmith on Bridge Street have a good range of gifts and are all accessible as well.

Ways I can help with shopping

My business is called And Wiser, and I help older adults live well at home, as independently as possible, with or without carers. I help anyone who needs flexible support at home, for any reason, specialising in helping people with dementia live as independently as possible. All my services are provided on a bespoke one to one basis and are fully flexible to meet the unique needs of every individual and their family.

If clients need some support with shopping, there are several ways I can help. For those who would like to shop independently but have maybe lost some confidence, I can help with planning trips and making adjustments so they feel more confident again. For an example of how I did this for one of my clients, take a look at one of my case studies on improving independence.

I can also help by taking clients on shopping trips, visiting accessible shops with them, or I can do their shopping for them if going into shops isn’t possible.

Shopping support can also include internet shopping, either by doing research for a client and purchasing items remotely, or taking my tech to them and sitting with them to browse and order. Shopping can either be delivered to me which I can then take to the client, or it can be delivered to their address and I can help with unpacking and putting it away. I can also deal with any returns. I can help order gifts to be delivered directly to the gift recipient, or I can help pack parcels up and take them to the Post Office or pickup point.

To find out more about all of the ways I can help, have a look at all of my services or read some of the blog posts and case studies to find out how my services have helped my clients to live well at home and really thrive, not just survive.