Hornby Castle, Hornby

Hornby Castle.
Hornby
Lancashire

Hornby castle sits on a hill overlooking the village of Hornby in Lancashire, just off the A683 to Lancaster.

The castle consists of an 18th century house, built around the 13th century keep tower, all that remains of the previous castle. The tower was largely rebuilt\remodelled during the 16th century. The frontage of the house was remodelled by Sharpe and Paley between 1849 and 1852, and then again by Paley and Austin in 1881, and between 1889 and 1891. The result is a gothic style house, cum castle, with castellated turrets and walls, and a collection of heraldic coats of arms inset in wall niches.

The castle is privately owned, and only opened on infrequent occasions at the behest of the current owners. The castle is visible perched amidst the trees as you drive towards Hornby on your way to Ingleton or Kirkby Lonsdale.

The castle was built as a direct replacement for the earlier motte and bailey (Castle Stede) down by the river Lune.

Hazelslack Tower, nr Storth, Cumbria

Hazelslack Tower,
nr Storth,
Cumbria

The tower sits about a mile off the B5282, near the village of Storth.

The tower is a four storey pele with walls at the lower levels of around 2 metres thick. It was built late in the 14th century. It was never fully completed and probably fell into ruin in the 17th century. In many old historical texts, the tower is also known as Helslack Tower.

On its east wall are signs of adjoining buildings, now demolished. Its design is very similar to other towers nearby, the ruined Arnside Tower and Wraysholme Tower.

The tower is easily seen from the roadside, and forms an integral part of the Limestone Link walk through some of South Lakeland's most beautiful countryside.

Beetham Hall, Beetham, Cumbria

Beetham Hall,
Beetham,
Cumbria

Beetham is a large complex of medieval buildings and walls, sitting about two hundred yards off the A6, and near to the village of Beethom.

The site consists of the main defensive hall, and a number of out buildings, as well as the remains of a curtain wall with looped holes in it. The curtain wall is around 1 metre thick, and sits between the hall and the road.

The hall is now attached to a farm house, and was once an important fortified mansion with a large deer park. The main hall has elaborate Gothic windows, with a great part of the building in ruins. The hall was owned by the Beethams until passing to the Stanleys in 1485. In 1644, it was taken over by a Thomas Fairfax. Eventually it came into the hands of the Clifford family (of Pendragon and Brougham to name a few, fame) Then in 1767 the Wilsons of Dallam took it over. A farmhouse with the date 1653 on its door lintel now occupies the western side of the site. Part of it was a wing of the old priests house.

The hall and tower is visible from the A6, and there is a layby nearby from which the curtain wall and the buildings can be viewed. If you undertake the Limestone Link walk, the second part of the walk takes you behind the hall, affording views not usually seen.

Wraysholme Tower, Allithwaite

Wraysholme Tower,
Allithwaite,
Cumbria

Wraysholme Tower is about two miles outside of the village of Allithwaite in Cumbria, just off the B5277.
The tower was built by the Harringtons, a powerful local family in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries.

The tower's walls are around 1.4metres thick, and all in all it is in good condition. The tower was originally three storeys tall, with battlements and turrets. A fire a few years back resulted in the flat roof being replaced with a steepled roof, and much of the interior being destroyed.

A single spiral staircase now remains, which can be climbed, and takes you to the roof with the remains of the turrets and battlements.

The tower can be viewed from the road at fairly close quarters. I was lucky on the day I visited, as the farmer kindly agreed to give me a brief guided tour, resulting in a climb to the top of the tower.

In the book "The remains of John Briggs" by John Briggs in tells us that "an intrepid knight, named Harrington, fixed his residence at Wraysholme. He erected the tower, which alone remains to mark the spot where he passed his days. He constructed the walls of stones, and cemented them with lime and ox blood, designing them to exist till the world itself should sink in ruins."

The book goes onto to explain how Sir Edgar Harrington was responsible for the death of the last wolf in England (according to legend) when he managed to slay a wolf that was living in the forests of Cartmel, when it was trying to attack a 'fair young maiden'.

The tower is now used as a cow house, and is attached to a farmhouse dated 1848.