Tower At South Kelsey Hall

TF 09 NW SOUTH KELSEY THORNTON ROAD

4/55 Tower at South 1-11-66 Kelsey Hall G.V. II

Remains of angle tower of large Tudor House, later converted to a dovecote; mid C16, with C19 alterations; brick with ashlar dressings, slate roof with lead dressings. Octagonal plan. The corners are in ashlar quoins and a repair to the rear wall is also in ashlar. The top brick courses were added C19 and have a dentillated and corbelled out eaves course. There is one cusped light at mid level on the south side, otherwise openings are C19 insertions. The original hall was a courtyard flanked by octagonal towers with leaded domed roofs and a drawing survives in the Gough collection at the Bodleian Library. The hall was the seat of the Hansard family and came into the possession of Sir Francis Ayscough in the 16th century whose sister Anne Askew was martyred at Smithfield in 1546. Earthworks of the original moat still survive.

Listing NGR: TF0449897652