Radcliffe Tower

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Radcliffe Tower

Lancashire


The standing remains of Radcliffe Tower
Type: Country house
Location
Grid reference: SD79580751
Location: 53°33’49"N, 2°18’30"W
Town: Radcliffe
History
Country house
Information
Condition: Largely demolished
Owned by: Bury Council

Radcliffe Tower is the only surviving part of a manor house in Radcliffe in the metropolitan regions of southern Lancashire. It is a Grade I listed building[1][2] and a Scheduled Monument.[3]

The house was rebuilt in 1403 by James de Radcliffe, who was lord of the manor of Radcliffe, and consisted of a stone-built hall and one or two towers, probably built with ashlar blocks.[2][3] De Radcliffe was given a royal licence to fortify the site including adding crenellations and battlements.[4]

The tower in the early nineteenth century with the manor house on the right before its demolition

The manor house was demolished in the 19th century leaving only the tower.[3] The tower measures 10½ yards by 19 yards and survives to about 20 feet in height.[2] The remains are owned by Bury Council.[5] It was used as a pig sty before being restored.[3]

Radcliffe Tower is about two miles south of Bury Castle, a late 15th-century moated manor house.

In 2009, plans to restore the shell of the tower as part of a wider restoration project covering Radcliffe E'es, Close Park and the parish church were launched with the support of Bury Council.[6]

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material
about Radcliffe Tower)

References

  1. National Heritage List 1309271: Radcliffe Tower
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 National Heritage List 1309271: Radcliffe Tower
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 National Monuments Record: No. 44210 – Radcliffe Tower
  4. A History of the County of Lancaster - & 67 Volume pp 56 & 67: {{{2}}} (Victoria County History) The parish of Radcliffe
  5. Bury Metropolitan Borough Council (19 February 2004). "Bury's historic built environment" (DOC). Bury.gov.uk. http://burydem.bury.gov.uk/aksbury/images/att2329.doc. Retrieved 27 May 2008. 
  6. "Ancient tower is to be saved". 1 April 2010. http://menmedia.co.uk/prestwichadvertiser/news/s/1202633_ancient_tower_is_to_be_saved. Retrieved 16 November 2016.