Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Radcliffe Tower
Hob Uid: 44210
Location : Bury Non Civil Parish
Grid Ref : SD7958007510
Summary : The surviving part of a manor house rebuilt in 1403 with a stone-built hall and two towers. By 1781 it was a two storeyed timber house with one ruinous tower. The house was demolished in the 19th century, leaving the tower standing. It was later used as a pig sty before being restored. Amateur excavations on the site have revealed the presence of a moat.
More information : (SD 7958 0751) Tower (NR) (In ruins) (1) The manor house at Radcliffe was rebuilt in 1403 and a hall and two towers of stone erected. In 1781 it was a two storied house of timber and plaster with gabled roofs and ruinous tower. The house was taken down in the 19th century and the ruinous tower, probably from 1403, is all that remains. It is 50ft long and 28ft wide externally with walls 5ft thick and of two storeys with maximum height of 30 feet. There is no trace of the second tower. (2) The remains of the tower measure 9.1m wide by 15.4 long and are standing to a substantial height, see photograph. The tower is now used as a pig sty, there being no trace of other buildings. (3) The remains of the tower have been renovated and protected by iron railings. (4) Radcliffe Tower. Remains of stone rectangular tower rebuilt in 1403. Grade 1. (5) Radcliffe Tower I Remains of a rectangular tower rebuilt in 1403 by James de Radcliffe. Coursed squared stone, perhaps originally Ashlar. 10 1/2 yds by 19 yds and about 20ft high. Low almost round-headed arch on north, south and east sides. 2-centre-headed door. Way on west side. (6) Amateur excavations in recent years have revealed the presence of a previously unconfirmed moat at Redcliffe (sic) Tower (SD 7958 0751). (7) Additional references (not consulted). (8-9) On the eastern side of the tower there are 2 blocked windows at ground level, a string course survives at first floor height, a plinth 1.3m high survives along the northern portion of this wall. On the western wall a plinth 1.3m high survives for 4m southwards from the north west corner, a string course is visible at first floor height. Also on this wall is a gable with a roof crease which would indicate the structure once extended westwards. The plinth was also visible on the northern wall. The portals on the northern, southern and eastern sides are now blocked with mortared sandstone, the door on the western side is sealed by an iron grille. The interior was not investigated. The structure is now surrounded by landscaped grassland, there are no traces of any associated earthworks. (10) Radcliffe Tower and the site of the Hall scheduled, SAM No. GM 9. (11) Listed by Cathcart King. (12)

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Source Number : 1
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Source details : OS 6" Prov 1927-38
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Source Number : 2
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Source details : Victoria County History, Lancs 5 1911 59 61 illus
Page(s) : 59 61
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Source Number : 9
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Source details : Greater Manchester Archaeol J 1 1985 39-53
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Source Number : 10
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Source details : F3 WDC 15-DEC-86
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Source Number : 11
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Source details : English Heritage SAM List Manchester March 1994 4.
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Source Number : 12
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Source Number : 2a
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Source details : Whitakers "Hist of Whalley"
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Source Number : 2b
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Source details : View of buildings (1781) drawn by H Wyatt
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Source Number : 3
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Source details : F1 JHO 04-JUN-52
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Source Number : 4
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Source details : F2 ISS 03-FEB-76
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Source Number : 5
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Source details : DOE (HHR) Radcliffe MB Oct 1965 1
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Source Number : 6
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Source details : DOE (HHR) Boro of Bury Gtr Manchester, 29.1.85, 21
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Source Number : 7
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Source details : Moated Sites Research Group Rpt 9 1982 (Ed D Wilson)
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Source Number : 8
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Source details : Walker and Tyndall (eds). Country Houses of Greater Manchester
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : 1403
Monument End Date : 1403
Monument Start Date : 1403
Monument Type : Manor House, Tower House, Moat
Evidence : Extant Building, Demolished Building, Sub Surface Deposit

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : By 1781
Monument End Date : 1781
Monument Start Date :
Monument Type : Timber Framed House
Evidence : Demolished Building

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Demolished C19
Monument End Date : 1900
Monument Start Date : 1801
Monument Type : Timber Framed House
Evidence : Demolished Building

Monument Period Name : 20th Century
Display Date : Restored by 1976
Monument End Date : 1976
Monument Start Date :
Monument Type : Tower
Evidence : Extant Building

Monument Period Name : 20th Century
Display Date : In 1952
Monument End Date : 1952
Monument Start Date : 1952
Monument Type : Pigsty, Tower
Evidence : Documentary Evidence

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (County No.)
External Cross Reference Number : GM 9
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (National No.)
External Cross Reference Number : 27585
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : Listed Building List Entry Legacy Uid
External Cross Reference Number : 210639
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : SD 70 NE 2
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1952-06-04
End Date : 1952-06-04

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1976-02-03
End Date : 1976-02-03

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1979-01-01
End Date : 1980-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1986-12-15
End Date : 1986-12-15

Associated Activities :
Activity type : ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY
Start Date : 1995-01-01
End Date : 1995-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EVALUATION
Start Date : 2007-01-01
End Date : 2007-12-31

Historic England Research Records

Radcliffe Tower