The Hunting Tower

The Hunting Tower, also known as The Stand, is a look-out or hunting tower built around 1582, possibly by Robert Smythson. It is constructed from coursed squared sandstone with ashlar dressings and features lead roofs. The tower has a square plan with circular angle turrets and stands three storeys tall, with the turrets rising to four storeys. It has a chamfered plinth and moulded sill bands on the first and second floors, along with a pair of moulded bands that define the parapet. The turrets have moulded cornices and domed roofs.

The corner turrets feature paired cavetto moulded stone cross windows on the first, second, and third floors, except for the southwest turret, which has them only at the top as it contains the staircase, lit by two small square windows with recessed and chamfered surrounds. A broad flight of nine stone steps leads up to the entrance on the south side, which has a flat arch with a stop-moulded surround and a hoodmould, along with a half-glazed door. Above the entrance are cross windows, with additional tiers of similar cross windows to the north and east, some of which are plainly chamfered. The west side has two single light transomed windows with recessed and chamfered surrounds on the first and second floors. The north and west sides also feature a blind 2-light recessed and chamfered mullion window in the basement. Steps lead down to a basement entrance on the east side, and small rectangular windows are present on the lower stages of the turrets. All windows are fitted with diamond leaded lights.

Inside, there is an ashlar chimneypiece in the ground floor room that may date from the 16th century, along with a similar but plainer one on the upper floors. A spiral stone staircase connects the levels, and the turrets have domed ceilings adorned with moulded decorative plasterwork, likely created by Abraham Smith. The surrounding gardens and park are included on the Gardens Register at Grade I.