Winter's Gibbet
A haunting 18th-century monument to murder, justice, and the dark moorland history of rural Northumberland.
Winter's Gibbet stands as a haunting monument to a brutal 1791 murder and execution on the remote moorlands near Elsdon in Northumberland. This stark wooden structure marks where William Winter's body was displayed after his hanging, serving as a grim reminder of 18th-century justice. Today, the listed landmark draws visitors seeking to understand the dark history of the Faw Gangs and the crime that shocked rural England.
A brief summary to Winter's Gibbet
- Morpeth, Harwood, NE61 4LE, GB
- Visit website
- Duration: 0.5 to 2 hours
- Free
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 2 out of 5
Local tips
- Visit in daylight and wear sturdy footwear; the site sits on exposed moorland with uneven terrain and limited shelter from wind and weather.
- Combine your visit with nearby Elsdon village to explore other historical sites and local heritage in the area.
- Bring a camera; the stark wooden structure against the moorland backdrop creates powerful photographs, especially in overcast or golden-hour light.
- Research the full story of William Winter and the Faw Gangs before visiting to deepen your appreciation of the site's historical significance.
- Allow time to simply stand and absorb the atmosphere; the isolation and bleakness of the moorland setting amplify the site's haunting character.
Getting There
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By Car
From Morpeth town centre, drive approximately 15 kilometres north-west toward Elsdon on the B6341. The gibbet is located on open moorland near Steng Cross, accessible via a rough track off the main road near Harwood. Parking is limited to roadside verges; allow 20–25 minutes from Morpeth. The final approach involves walking across moorland terrain.
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By Bus
Local buses serve Morpeth and surrounding villages, but services to the moorland site are infrequent and do not stop directly at Winter's Gibbet. From Morpeth, take a bus toward Elsdon or Rothbury, then walk approximately 3–4 kilometres across moorland to reach the gibbet. Journey time varies; check local timetables as services may be seasonal or limited to certain days.
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Walking from Elsdon
From Elsdon village, a moorland walk of approximately 4–5 kilometres leads to Winter's Gibbet. The route crosses open, exposed terrain with few landmarks; navigation requires a map or GPS. Allow 90–120 minutes depending on fitness and weather. The path can be muddy and waterlogged, particularly in winter and after rain. Wear waterproof clothing and sturdy boots.
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Guided Tour
Local heritage organisations and walking groups occasionally offer guided visits to Winter's Gibbet as part of moorland or historical tours. These typically depart from Morpeth or Elsdon and include transport and interpretation. Booking in advance is essential; availability is seasonal and limited.
Winter's Gibbet location weather suitability
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Clear Skies
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Mild Temperatures
Discover more about Winter's Gibbet
A Crime That Shocked Northumbria
On the evening of August 29, 1791, the quiet moorland settlement of Raw Pele became the scene of a brutal murder. Margaret Crozier, a local woman, was attacked and killed in her home by members of the Faw Gangs—nomadic tribes of Romani people who traveled throughout Northumbria. When Margaret's friends Elizabeth Jackson and Mary Temple arrived for an evening visit, they were startled by the sound of a dog barking near a pile of hay outside the house. Unsettled by the disturbance, they urged Margaret to bolt her door as they departed. Hours later, Margaret lay dead, her home ransacked.Investigation and Arrest
Local constables launched a determined investigation, gathering testimony from witnesses who had spotted strangers in the area. The breakthrough came when a loaded mule was discovered near Harlow Hill, carrying evidence of the crime. Three suspects emerged: William Winter, arrested near the village of Horsley, and sisters Jane and Eleanor Clark, apprehended at Ovingham and Barley Moor respectively. All three were connected to the Faw Gangs. Winter's shirt bore bloodstains, which he claimed resulted from a fight within his own tribe—a defense quickly dismissed by authorities who reasoned he would have removed his shirt during such an altercation. The evidence proved overwhelming, and all three were committed to Morpeth Gaol on September 3, 1791.Justice and Public Spectacle
On Friday, August 10, 1792, William Winter, Jane Clark, and Eleanor Clark were hanged at Westgate in Newcastle upon Tyne. Before his execution, Winter admitted his guilt, though the two sisters maintained their innocence to the end. Winter's body was then transported by cart to Steng Cross, where it was hoisted onto a gibbet—a public display intended to deter others from committing similar crimes. Thousands of people gathered to witness the grim spectacle as his corpse was raised into position.The Gibbet's Gruesome Vigil
Winter's body remained suspended from the gibbet for months, exposed to the elements and the ravages of time. The stench from the decomposing remains was so offensive that even horses refused to pass nearby. As the body decayed, Winter's loose bones were collected and suspended in a tarred sack designed to withstand the harsh moorland weather. Over time, this too deteriorated. Local shepherds eventually buried the remaining fragments, and when nothing remained of Winter himself, a wooden mannequin was hung from the gibbet as a continued symbol of justice and warning.Preservation and Legend
The original gibbet eventually succumbed to decay and deliberate destruction—local people believed that splinters of wood from the structure possessed healing properties for toothache, leading them to chip away at it over the years. In 1867, Walter Trevelyon, owner of the land and the Wallington Estate, commissioned a replica gibbet with a wooden mannequin to be erected at the same location, preserving the historical memory of this dark chapter. The gibbet has been remade several times since, and today it stands as a listed building, a stark and solitary monument on the moorland landscape.A Window into 18th-Century Justice
Winter's Gibbet represents far more than a single crime and punishment. It embodies the brutal justice system of the 18th century, when public execution and display served as deterrents to crime. The case also illuminates the complex social tensions of the period, particularly the conflict between settled communities and the traveling Romani population. The gibbet's endurance—rebuilt and preserved across more than two centuries—speaks to the power of local memory and the human impulse to commemorate even the darkest moments of history.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
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For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Adventurous
- Unique
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For the design and aesthetic lover
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For the architecture buff
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For the view chaser and sunset hunter
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For the social media creator & influencer
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For the eco-conscious traveler
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For how adventurous you want the journey to be
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Location Audience
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