Elsdon Tower

Elsdon Tower is a tower house, likely rebuilt in the 16th century, although originally recorded as a 'Vicar's Pele' in 1415. Early 19th-century additions to the west and north were undertaken by Archdeacon Singleton, with window remodelling occurring around 1840.

The south side, originally four storeys, is now divided internally into three. A 19th-century door is located on the ground floor. Two 19th-century mullion-and-transom cross windows appear on the first floor above an earlier string course, with two similar windows on the second floor. The high embattled parapet has a central section dating to the 18th century, bearing the shield of the Umfravilles. Behind the parapet is a steeply-pitched stone-slate roof with raised coping and stone end stacks.

The east side features a large, early 19th-century, segment-headed mullion-and-transom window on the ground floor. Above it is a chamfered recess displaying a shield bearing the early arms of the Percys, and above this are three blocked slit windows. The parapet displays the Percy crest.

The north side has a castellated porch and a single-storey, lean-to entrance hall from the early 19th century. Three 18th-century lancet windows illuminate the staircase. Above the original entrance is a short stretch of machicolation supported by four large corbels. The parapet displays the 18th-century shield of the Howards of Overacre.

Attached to the right are two-storey, two-bay additions from the early 19th century, featuring three- and four-light mullioned windows. A four-light bay window with a stone pent roof is located on the right. Irregular 18th- and early 19th-century additions extend to the rear.

The interior boasts tower walls that are 8 feet thick. A 16th-century hollow-chamfered round-headed doorway is on the ground floor. A short, straight mural stair in the south-east corner leads to a fine ashlar newel stair. The ground floor is tunnel-vaulted and has an early 19th-century plaster rib vault, a Gothick fireplace, and a door. The original entrance from the stair on the first floor has a chamfered four-centred arch. Large corbels support the floor above the first floor. 18th- or early 19th-century friezes in the entrance hall and study show Percy, Lucy, and Howard shields. A frieze of trefoiled hanging arches is on the second floor. Early 19th-century roof timbers are present.

A staircase with slender turned balusters is within the 19th-century addition.