Howgill Castle

Howgill Castle is a grade I listed hall with cross-wings, likely dating from the 14th century, with later additions and alterations. The walls are faced with sandstone blocks, while the rear features coursed, squared rubble; the front and south side are pebble-dashed. The roofs are made of graduated slate, hipped at the front of the wings, with an outshut to the hall at the rear and mid stone chimneys. The rear gable of the north wing includes moulded embrasures from the original projecting parapet. The building has two storeys with attics and consists of five bays arranged as 2-3-2. The front wall of the hall has been rebuilt, and the rest of the front was remodeled around 1733, as indicated by the date on the rainwater head. The structure is symmetrical except for the retention of a 16th-century mullioned and transomed attic window in the north wing, while all other windows are sashes with glazing bars in architraves, with only one on the ground floors of the wings. A central plank door is framed by an architrave with a segmental pediment. There are additional mullioned windows, some of which are blocked, on the north side and rear. The south side of the rear addition features two 17th-century carved stone panels with cherubs and swags, positioned high on the wall, similar to the ornate fireplace in the first-floor hall. Inside, the ground floor of each wing is barrel-vaulted. The original walls are approximately 10½ feet thick and include garderobes, stairs, and mural passages. One passage, leading to the first floor at the rear of the hall, is accessible via a trap-door and features shouldered arches with inner trefoil heads.