Tower House And Tower Grange

FORMBY GRANGE LANE SD 20 NE (south side) 2/35 Tower House and Tower Grange II House. One-storey central section said to be C13, part of monastic grange of Whalley Abbey, but more likely to be farm buildings of C17 or C18, restored 1904 by C.A. Atkinson, enlarged by him in 1908. Lime washed brick; roof partly thatched, partly patchwork of various slates and tiles; much use of salvaged materials; internal steel frame. Irregular plan, mostly of 2 storeys. Tower House of 5 bays. 2nd bay has gabled 1st floor jettied over canted bay window and with canted oriel, some brick diapering. 3rd bay has brick diapering and corbelled parapet to front and right return. Some small-paned horizontally sliding sashes. Range to rear has thatched roof. 4th and 5th bays of one storey with thatched roof and stone slate outshut. Windows are small-paned, rising above eaves, with cornices. Central gabled porch has stone inscribed: TOWER/HOUSE", battered buttress to left. Several brick stacks. Tower Grange of 6 bays, 1st bay adjoins Tower House, the rest are recessed. 1st bay has thatched roof and gabled window with horizontally sliding sash and brick diapering below. Return has gable-end stack with canted oriel adjoining. 2nd to 5th bays have irregular roof pitch concealing flat central section. 2nd bay has entrance with stone surround and 2 datestones, the lower one inscribed "LAID BY EWA 1908" the upper one: "CAA/EWA REST 1904" (entrance repositioned). 5th bay recessed, 1st floor window with banded tympanum. End bay has 2-storey canted oriel with jettied gabled attic with diapering and timbering, on 2 timber struts. Windows mostly small paned casements and horizontally sliding sashes, some are plate glass; small flat-topped dormer over entrance. Sympathetically designed C20 garage to right return. Interior contains many features, e.g. doors, staircase, salvaged from other buildings. 2 ventilation shafts and service duct under roof.

Listing NGR: SD2920608131