Preston Pele Tower was built between 1392 – 1399 by Sir Robert Harbottle. It was one of 78 such structures in Northumberland, built for defence, at a time when there were many border skirmishes. One of its owners, Sir Guiscard Harbottle, died at the Battle of Flodden in 1513.
After 1603 when England and Scotland were united, the need for such towers was no more, and many were demolished. Half of this tower was used for stone on the surrounding farm buildings. What survives is now unoccupied, but the present owners have tried to loosely furnish it with items to reflect its history.
The clock and its mechanism were installed by Henry Robert Baker Cresswell in 1864 when he restored the tower. It bears his initials.
Sadly the sun was in the wrong direction at the time we were there.
Tags: UK Northumberland Chathill Preston tower Historic houses building tower Pele tower
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The Outchester Ducket, or The Ducket as it’s known locally is now a self catering cottage, but it’s original purpose is a mystery.
On some maps and even windmill websites, it’s listed as a windmill, but it isn’t in a traditional style. Some say it’s a beacon for navigation and more recently the theory if that it was possibly a dovecot.
Whatever it was built for it’s C18th, 65ft tall and 4 storeys.
Tags: UK Northumberland Spindlestone The Ducket cows catttle building windmill Outchester dovecote beacon
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Classic view of Bamburgh castle from along the beach
Tags: UK Northumberland Bamburgh Bamburgh castle beach castle building dunes
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A staircase in the area known as the State rooms. It will presumably be Victorian.
Bamburgh has been a Border stronghold throughout history, so there has been a castle here for hundreds of years. Originally a motte and baily castle, the castle was replaced with stone and the oldest surviving part, the Keep, dates to the C12th.
It was visited by a succession of kings, as well as serving as a prison. Having ceased to be a royal residence, in 1610 James I gave it to Claudius Forster, but he couldn't afford the upkeep, and together with the Civil war destroying parts of the castle, it fell into disrepair.
In 1704 it was bought by Lord Crewe, Bishop of Durham. On his death the Crewe Trust was set up to restore and manage it, and it was used as a library, hospital and school. It was eventually put up for sale again in 1894 and William Armstrong bought it. He was an inventor and engineer and he envisaged it as a home for retired gentlemen. (he also owned Cragside).
Today it is still privately owned by descendants of Armstrong.
Tags: UK Northumberland Bamburgh Bamburgh Castle staircase castle building
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Bamburgh has been a Border stronghold throughout history, so there has been a castle here for hundreds of years. Originally a motte and baily castle, the castle was replaced with stone and the oldest surviving part, the Keep, dates to the C12th.
It was visited by a succession of kings, as well as serving as a prison. Having ceased to be a royal residence, in 1610 James I gave it to Claudius Forster, but he couldn't afford the upkeep, and together with the Civil war destroying parts of the castle, it fell into disrepair.
In 1704 it was bought by Lord Crewe, Bishop of Durham. On his death the Crewe Trust was set up to restore and manage it, and it was used as a library, hospital and school. It was eventually put up for sale again in 1894 and William Armstrong bought it. He was an inventor and engineer and he envisaged it as a home for retired gentlemen. (he also owned Cragside).
Today it is still privately owned by descendants of Armstrong.
Tags: UK Northumberland Bamburgh Bamburgh Castle room building William Armstrong. cellar
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