Radcliffe Tower
Radcliffe Tower is the only surviving part of a manor house in Radcliffe, Greater Manchester (grid reference SD79580751). It is a Grade I listed building[1] and a Scheduled Monument.[2] 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.[1][2] De Radcliffe was given a licence from the king to fortify the site including adding crenellations and battlements.[3]
The manor house was demolished in the 19th century leaving only the tower.[2] The tower measures 10.5 yards (9.6 m) by 19 yards (17 m) and survives to about 20 feet (6.1 m) in height.[1] The remains are owned by Bury council.[4] It was used as a pig sty before being restored.[2] Radcliffe Tower is about 3.3 kilometres (2.1 mi) 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.[5]
[edit] See also
- Castles in Greater Manchester
- Grade I listed buildings in Greater Manchester
- Scheduled Monuments in Greater Manchester
[edit] References
- ^ a b c "Radcliffe Tower". Images of England. http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=210639. Retrieved 2008-01-05.
- ^ a b c d "Radcliffe Tower". Pastscape.org.uk. http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=44210. Retrieved 2008-01-05.
- ^ The parish of Radcliffe, A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 5 (1911), pp. 56–67. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=53000. Retrieved on 25 October 2008
- ^ Bury Metropolitan Borough Council (2004-02-19). "Bury's historic built environment" (DOC). Bury.gov.uk. http://burydem.bury.gov.uk/aksbury/images/att2329.doc. Retrieved 2008-05-27.
- ^ Welsh, Pamala (1 April 2010). "Ancient tower is to be saved". Prestwich Advertiser. http://menmedia.co.uk/prestwichadvertiser/news/s/1202633_ancient_tower_is_to_be_saved. Retrieved 20/02/2012.
