Structure Name: Haughton Castle

Description:
 

Converted upper-floor hall house, now a country house of between two and five storeys. Rectangular plan with corner towers linked by walkways behind embattled parapets. Of particular interest are the blocked arcades of arches in the long walls - in Britain this feature is completely unique to this castle.
 

Extant: Yes

Legal Status: Listed Building Grade I

Location: Haughton Castle, NORTHUMBERLAND

Eastings: 391900m (view map)

Northings: 572900m (view map)

Position Accuracy: 100m

Positional Confidence: Absolute Certainty

Structure Types Identified: CASTLE, COUNTRY HOUSE, HALL HOUSE, TOWER HOUSE

Historical Background
 

The tower house at Haughton was extended and fortified in 1373, using the same license to crenellate that was given for Widdrington Castle in 1341. By the middle of the 16th century the castle had fallen into disrepair, allowing Border Rievers to attack and steal nine horses and goods to the value of £40.

In 1642 the castle was bought by the Smith family, who began to make alterations in the 18th century and were responsible for the conversion of the castle into a gentrified house. Alterations were continued by the Crawshay family, who purchased the castle in 1862, and the Cruddas family (owners from 1888).
 

Chronology:

• 13TH CENTURY AD   Construction of tower house.
• 1373   Tower house heightened and fortified.
      Entities Involved:
            Widdrington, Gerald: Owner.
• 1780   Some improvements carried out.
• 1816   Work began on the conversion of Haughton Castle into a country house. Park laid out.
• 1845   Alterations by John Dobson.
      Entities Involved:
            Dobson, John: Architect.
• 1876   West wing constructed.
      Entities Involved:
            Salvin, Anthony: Architect.
• 1889   Internal modifications. New main staircase built.

References:

• Images of England
• Keys To The Past
• Northumberland SMR
• Pevsner, N., Richmond, I., Grundy, J., McCombie, G., Ryder, P. and Welfare, H. (2001) The Buildings of England: Northumberland. London, Penguin Books, pp.306-307

The information displayed in this page has been derived from authoritative sources, including any referenced above. Although substantial efforts were made to verify this information, the SINE project cannot guarantee its correctness or completeness.

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