Woodcroft Castle

1. 5141 ETTON WOODCROFT ROAD Woodcroft Castle TF 10 SW 10/220 15.12.55 II* GV 2. Inhabited fragment of late C13 castle on a moated site, and with additions and alterations. What remains is the west side of the original building with a central gateway and a circular tower at the north end. There was probably a courtyard at the centre and the 3 other sides and the associated corner towers are no longer standing. Ashlar. West front has central 3-storey gateway with wide double-chamfered segmental arched entrance, and flanking 2½ storey 3-bay wings. On the north end is a 3-storey circular corner tower rising from the moat. The tower, gateway and attic storeys have single-light windows with shouldered heads set in chamfered recesses. The rest of the windows are mainly 2-, 3- or 4-light stone mullion windows with straight heads and arched lights. Moulded string courses at floor levels. L-shaped on plan with short early Tudor wing to north-east. Interior: has large medieval fireplace. The Rev Dr Michael Hudson, Chaplain to Charles I took part in the defence of the castle against Parliamentary troops in 1649. The incident is illustrated in Bridge's History of Northamptonshire Vol IV plate LXXX page 508. VCH Northants Vol II page 488. NMR.

Listing NGR: TF1400604502