Rochford Tower

Rochford Tower is a tower dating to approximately 1460, with minor alterations from the 17th century and a 19th-century partial restoration. It is constructed of red brick in English bond with ashlar dressings, and originally had a roof which has since disappeared. The tower was once attached to a contemporary hall block, which was demolished in 1807.

The tower is three stories high, with a ground floor undercroft that is vaulted in brick. It has a single bay. The base has roll moulding with an added plinth and is topped by an embattled parapet with shaped brick coping and trefoil-headed dummy machicolations. It features corbelled-out octagonal corner turrets with roll moulding to the base and small battlements. On the west front is a small opening to the undercroft. The main first-floor window is large and segmental-headed, with a moulded ashlar surround and chamfered cill, now containing a 17th-century wooden cross mullioned three-light window. The second and third floors each have single blank openings with chamfered brick reveals and four-centred arched heads. On the south side is a single opening with a brick arched head to the second floor. An octagonal stair turret is situated on the right-hand side, featuring narrow vertical lights and a battlemented parapet. The top stage has a corbelled-out brick chimney with roll mouldings, chamfers, and dentils to the corbel. On the east side, a double-chamfered shallow four-centred doorway leads to the undercroft, with a small pointed-headed light above it. The first floor mirrors the west side with a large window. On the north side is a four-centred arched doorway to the undercroft and, above it, a blocked doorway that once led to the vanished hall block. Evidence of the toothing in scars of the adjoining walls of this two-story block can still be seen. A small four-centred brick arched opening is present on the second floor.

Internally, the brick-vaulted undercroft contains three pointed-headed niches. A stone newel stair is within the turret. Wall paintings, originally on plaster, have since vanished, and four-centred brick arched fireplaces remain. A straight doorway once provided access to the now-vanished connecting building. A series of blocked holes at high level in the interior suggest a previous use as a dovecote. A lead pipe and spout with an iron handle and timber support is located on the north side. An 1811 topographical print, published by W. Clarke and based on a drawing by W. Brand, depicts the attached hall block running north, showing crow-stepped gables and a three-light four-centred arched window. The property was granted to the Abbot and Church of Westminster by Henry VII in 1504, and later held by the Rochford family.