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The comprehensive gazetteer and bibliography of the medieval castles, fortifications and palaces of England, Wales, the Islands.
 
 
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Hardrigg Hall Tower, Skelton

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as;
Harding Castle

In the civil parish of Skelton.
In the historic county of Cumberland.
Modern Authority of Cumbria.
1974 county of Cumbria.
Medieval County of Cumberland.

OS Map Grid Reference: NY425362
Latitude 54.71736° Longitude -2.89430°

Hardrigg Hall Tower, Skelton has been described as a certain Pele Tower.

There are masonry ruins/remnants remains.

This is a Grade 2 listed building protected by law*.

Description

Farmhouse and ruined fortified tower with adjoining barn and stables. C14 tower for the Southaik family with C19 farmhouse and barn/stables. Tower has extremely thick walls of large blocks of pink and grey sandstone; without roof. The tower has the partial remains of 3 walls, the only visible external features being a staircase loop and a small upper-floor medieval window in the right return wall. Exposed interior of tower has the remains of vaulted basement. Angle newel staircase has shouldered-arched doorway in basement, external round-arched doorway (now blocked by gable wall of farmhouse) and 2 further round-arched doorways above. Medieval fireplaces on 2 levels and remains of 3 splayed windows in each wall. Tower a stable ruin. (Listed Building Report)

NY43NW1 Hardrigg Hall has part of a late 14th or early 15th c. Pele tower still standing, with the farmhouse built against its eastern wall. The west all is totally demolished, while the walls to the south and north are half destroyed. The tower is 27 ft. long, height some 23 ft., and was probably 20 ft. wide. (PastScape ref. Hudleston)
Comments

Perriam and Robinson note that, despite good medieval records, no mention is made of this tower before 1794.
Links to archaeological and architectural databases, mapping and other online resources

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Sources of information, references and further reading
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This record last updated 26/07/2017 09:21:32

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