Radcliffe Tower

Radcliffe Tower
The standing remains of Radcliffe Tower
Map
General information
AddressRadcliffe, Greater Manchester, England
OwnerBury Council
Designations
Listed Building – Grade I
Official nameRadcliffe Tower
Designated28 July 1966
Reference no.1309271

Radcliffe Tower is the only surviving part of a manor house in Radcliffe, Greater Manchester (historically in Lancashire), England. 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 manor house was demolished in the 19th century leaving only the tower.[3] The tower measures 10.5 yd (9.6 m) by 19 yd (17 m) and survives to about 20 ft (6.1 m) 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 3.3 km (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.[6]

  1. ^ Historic England. "Radcliffe Tower (Grade I) (1309271)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  2. ^ a b c Historic England. "Radcliffe Tower (1309271)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 5 January 2008.
  3. ^ a b c d Historic England. "Radcliffe Tower (44210)". Research records (formerly PastScape). Retrieved 5 January 2008.
  4. ^ 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 Archived 24 June 2010 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on 25 October 2008
  5. ^ Bury Metropolitan Borough Council (19 February 2004). "Bury's historic built environment". Bury.gov.uk. Archived from the original (DOC) on 27 March 2009. Retrieved 27 May 2008.
  6. ^ "Ancient tower is to be saved". Manchester Evening News. 1 April 2010. Archived from the original on 21 April 2013. Retrieved 16 November 2016.