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Hoghton Tower: One of the most remarkable fortified manor houses in England

The fortified manor house, Hoghton Tower belongs to the Hoghton family since the 12th century. It is located in the village of Hoghton in Lancashire, England.

And the present house stands on the hilltop site since 1560. The house is listed as Grade I building, and, today, it is administrated by a charitable trust.

In the time when the Tower was built many famous guests came to visit, including William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, William III, and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.

The Hoghton Tower is owned by the Hoghton family  Photo Credit
The Hoghton Tower is owned by the Hoghton family  Photo Credit
The house is a Grade I listed building   Photo Credit
The house is a Grade I listed building   Photo Credit

In 1617, King James I visited the house and stayed there for three days. During the Civil War, the house was severely damaged by Parliamentary forces, and in 1702, it was repaired by Sir Charles de Hoghton. In the 19th century, it was inherited by Sir Henry de Hoghton who hired the architects Paley and Austin to restore it. When Henry died, the restoration process was continued by his brother Charles who was the 10th Baronet.

By that time, the architects restored the gateway tower, built a new kitchen and made many other alterations. The architect James Birtwistle built the farm buildings and the stables, and after the death of Sir Charles in 1893 a nursery accommodation, a billiards room, a drawing room, and a smoking room were added by the architect Robert Dudley Oliver from London.

 

 

Inner court of the house  Photo Credit
Inner court of the house  Photo Credit

There is a grassed area at the entrance of the outer courtyard which is known as the Titling Ground. There are three gardens around the house which are known as the Wilderness, on the east side, and there are the walled gardens, Rose Garden and the Rampart Garden, on the south side.

Inside the Great Barn made of sandstone, there is a coach house which dates from 1692. The coach house and the stables which date from the 17th century can be seen on the northwest side of the Tower, and the main road at the entry is the lodge of Paley and Austin built in 1878.

Today, the Tower is a destination for education, culture and various events  Photo Credit
Today, the Tower is a destination for education, culture and various events  Photo Credit

 

The Great Barn   Photo Credit
The Great Barn   Photo Credit

The garden, the stables, and the coach house were listed Grade II, and, today, the whole complex is opened to the public.

Read another story from us: The Ravens of the Tower of London: Guardians of the Crown & Her Majesty’s Royal Palace

The Hoghton Tower hosts many events such as the Stuart Takeover Family Friendly Day, Farmers Market, a Circus, The Motorcycle Sprint event, and the Hoghton Lancashire Classic Car and Bike Show which is a remarkable gathering of vintage vehicles. More recently, the house is a destination for education and culture established by the Hoghton Tower Preservation Trust.

Marija Georgievska

Marija Georgievska is one of the authors writing for The Vintage News