Dalden Tower

NZ 44 NW 421488 SEAHAM DAWDON DENE (West side)

4/31 Dalden Tower

21.6.50 II*

Fragmentary remains of a medieval hall or tower house. C14 or slightly earlier. Roughly dressed limestone and sandstone walls with rubble infill. Rectangular plan c.l0 x 15 metres. North, east and west walls c.1.5 metres thick and up to 8 metres high; low south wall. North wall has irregular opening and remains of rebated jamb at ground level and a 1st floor corbel course. West wall has chimney recess and fragmentary jamb at south-west corner. East wall adjoins low south wall and has chimney recess and, to right at 1st floor level, a decorated rectangular niche probably of early C14 date. Niche framed by attached colonnettes has roughly square panel decorated by ogee arch with reticulated tracery in tympanum and 4 flanking carved representations of traceried windows. Lintel above has worn decorative feature crowning arch and 2 flanking shields. Rebates within niche suggest that it contained a wooden shelf and was probably a buffet for the display of plate or food. East wall continues to left and has a dressed stone jamb and the remains of a splayed opening at ground level. Excavations during 1965-6 revealed further considerable remains.

Dalden Tower is a scheduled Ancient Monument.

"Theodore Nicholson, Report of Excavations at Dalden Tower 1965-6, Antiquities of [Sunderland Vol XXIV 1969"]

Listing NGR: NZ4202448742