Harby Brow Tower, Adjoining Farmhouse And Barn

A tower house, farmhouse, and adjoining barn dating from the 15th century, with early 19th-century alterations and rebuilding of the farmhouse, situated in Allhallows. The tower house was originally built for Alexander Highmoor. A hall range, which previously existed, is referred to in an inscription retained within the tower: "THYS HOUSE WAS BUILDED IN THE FOURH YERE OF THE RYNE OF KYNG EDWARDE THE SEX WHAN A BOUSCHEL OF WETE WAS AT viis, A BOUSCHEL OF BERE A NOWBEL, MAULT iiiis ST(ONE)". Another inscription, “THE BLESSING OF THE LORD IT MAKETH RICH G.A.M.” (George Moore), marks a porch added in 1876.

The tower is constructed of large blocks of mixed red and yellow sandstone, possessing a battlemented parapet, flush red sandstone quoins, and sits upon large plinth stones. The farmhouse and barn are of coursed red sandstone rubble with a graduated greenslate roof and rendered chimney stacks. The tower is four stories high, adjoined to the left by a two-story farmhouse of three bays, with a barn continuing to the left under a common roof.

The west wall of the tower, facing the farmhouse, features a hollow-chamfered doorway, originally providing access to the lower chamber, now internally blocked and accessing a newel staircase. Two periods of roof creases indicate the former height of the hall range. The south wall has a central, chamfered-surround opening, with the second-floor section blocked, and flanking slit vents – those to the left serving the staircase, and those to the right for garderobes. The east wall contains two-light stone mullioned windows with cusped heads. The north wall has a hollow-chamfered doorway and two-light windows, similar to those on the east wall, but these are 19th-century replacements. Carved-head water spouts project from the west and east sides below the parapets.

Internally, the ground floor has a stone tunnel vault and a newel staircase ascending to the parapet walk. The garderobes retain their original stone seats and hand sinks. A blocked first-floor doorway leads into the former hall range. The tower contains 15th-century stone fireplaces on two levels, with corbel stones still in place despite the loss of the roof and floors. The farmhouse has a stone porch with a coped gable and ball finial and a chamfered side door. Sash windows are set within painted stone surrounds. A rear extension incorporates a reused lintel inscribed "F.H. 1594". The barn has plank doors and a sliding loft door with flanking slit vents. The site is scheduled ancient monument.