Haughton Castle

Haughton Castle is a castle dating back to the 13th century, with significant alterations and additions made in the 14th century. Further changes occurred around 1780, approximately 1816, and in 1845 by John Dobson. A west wing was added in 1876 by Anthony Salvin, followed by internal alterations in 1889. The castle is constructed of heavy coursed rubble stone with dressings, the west wing being of squared stone with ashlar dressings. It has flat leaded roofs, with an external timber canopy and stone slate roof on the east side, leading to an external staircase.

The castle originally comprised a rectangular tower-house with angle turrets. The south elevation, five storeys high and five bays wide, is irregular and partially concealed by ivy. It features a two-storey arcade of blocked segmental-pointed arches, with the central section partially obscured by an 1845 two-storey oriel window with a two-light window on the first floor and a three-light window on the second floor. The first floor has two-light windows from the 19th century to the right of the oriel bay, while the second floor has three two-light windows dating back to the 14th century with transoms and trefoiled heads, some of which have been renewed. There are also various chamfered loops elsewhere. An embattled parapet tops the castle, with taller turrets at the ends and a corbelled-out centre turret. To the left is a west wing divided into two sections; the slightly projecting left section is three storeys and two bays, with an arched doorway, while the right section is two storeys and three bays, featuring transomed windows and embattled parapets.

The east elevation incorporates an 1812 external staircase and a late 19th-century canopy. Above the left side is an 1845 oriel window leading to an oratory, while to the right is a projecting turret with chamfered set-backs and seven levels of chamfered loops. The north elevation is similar to the south, with tall blocked arches and a central bay from 1845. It contains 16th-century two- and three-light transomed windows with round-headed lights on the second floor, some of which have been restored. The end turrets display corbelled-out garderobes at varying levels.

The basement contains parallel axial segmental vaults with chamfered ribs. A mural stair is located at the east end, leading to the first floor, while a newel stair provides access to the upper floors within the south-west turret. Various mural chambers are present, including a former 1st-floor entrance lobby on the south side with a good moulded 13th-century doorway, and a 2nd-floor oratory within the south-east turret, which contains a piscina. The interior fittings and furnishings are largely from the 19th century, but include two richly-carved 17th-century overmantels from Derwentwater House, Newcastle.

The castle's original layout likely consisted of a mid-13th-century hall house with a two-storey hall block and a taller solar tower at the east end. This was heightened in the 14th century, when the arcades, originally defensive features with meurtrier (defensive openings) in the arch soffits protecting the wall foot, were infilled.