The Old Tower

NY 43 NE HESKET BRACKENBURGH

10/149 The Old Tower

II

Fortified house. Late C14 or early C15 with 1852 alterations and additions by William Atkinson and further 1902-3 alterations by Sir Robert Lorimer for Joseph Harris. Extremely thick dressed red sandstone walls with C20 battlemented ashlar parapet and ashlar chimney stacks; C20 angle turret and cupola. Roof within parapets and hidden from view. Extensions of red sandstone ashlar under graduated greenslate roof with crow-stepped gable. 3-storey square tower with lower rear 2- and 3-storey, 3-bay extensions of 2 different builds, forming overall L-shape. Various 2- and 3-light C19 and C20 stone-mullioned windows under hoodmoulds. Left return wall has 2 small upper-floor windows, otherwise it is difficult to identify blocked windows obscured by ivy growth. Extensions have C20 doorway in re-entrant angle and similar 2- and 3-light windows to those in tower. Glazed organgery links with the main house, Brackenburgh (q.v.). Internal C19 and C20 alterations. Reputedly built as a house for the warden of Inglewood Forest but there are virtually no references to this building. See Christopher Hussey, The Work of Sir Robert Lorimer, 1931, pp.40-1.

Listing NGR: NY4763838391