Turton Tower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Turton Tower |
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| General information | |
| Type | Manor house |
| Location | Chapeltown, Blackburn with Darwen, Lancashire |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 53°37′59″N 2°24′27″W / 53.6330°N 2.4075°W |
| Construction started | Early 15th century |
| Completed | 1596 |
| Owner | Blackburn with Darwen Council |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Designated: | 27 January 1967 |
| Reference #: | 1241557 |
Turton Tower is a historic manor house located in Chapeltown, England. It's a very important building, officially protected as a scheduled ancient monument and a Grade I listed building. This means it's considered to be of exceptional national importance.
The tower was first built in the late Middle Ages as a strong, two-storey stone tower, known as a pele tower. Over time, it was changed and made much bigger, especially in the late 1500s. It stands on high ground, about 600 feet above sea level, roughly four miles north of Bolton.
Contents
How Turton Tower Was Built
The oldest part of Turton Tower was likely built in the early 1400s. This original section is a strong stone tower, about 45 feet long and 28 feet wide. Its walls are very thick, about four feet, and it stands about 35 feet tall.
Originally, the tower had three low floors. You can still see where old window openings were blocked up. The walls are rough, with large, strong stones at the corners.
Changes Over Time
In the early 1500s, two timber-framed buildings were added to the tower. Later, an extension at the front created the main entrance with its impressive front door. Inside, you can still see parts of these older structures.
Big changes happened in 1596. The tower was made taller, reaching its current height of 45 feet to the top. The old, narrow windows were replaced with much larger ones, giving the building a new look.
During the 1600s, the timber buildings were covered in stone. The house stayed mostly the same until the 1800s. In the Victorian era, after 1835, more changes were made, including a new style for the front of the house.
Who Lived at Turton Tower?
Turton Tower was home to the important families who owned the land of Turton. Around the year 1200, part of the land belonged to the de Lathom family.
In 1420, the Orrell family took over and rebuilt the strong tower. A writer named William Camden noted in 1603 that the tower was first built for defense. He also mentioned that tournaments, like knightly contests, were held there in the 1300s.
Famous Owners
In 1628, the Orrells sold Turton Tower to Humphrey Chetham. He was a wealthy merchant from Manchester who later founded Chetham's Library and Chetham's School of Music. The tower then passed down through his family, who often rented it out to farmers.
By 1835, the tower was in poor condition. It was sold to James Kay, who worked to fix it up. Later, it was owned by Elizabeth and Anne Appleton, who rented it to William Rigg, a fabric maker. His daughter, Ellen, wrote a book about what it was like to be a child at Turton Tower during the Victorian times.
In 1903, Sir Lees Knowles, 1st Baronet, a Member of Parliament, bought the tower. After he passed away in 1929, his wife, Lady Nina Knowles, gave the tower to the local council in 1930. It then became the council's main office.
Turton Tower Today
After some changes to local government in 1974, Turton Tower became part of the Borough of Blackburn. It was looked after by the Lancashire County Museums Service for a while. Now, the tower is managed by Blackburn with Darwen Council.
Gallery
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The Tapestry Bedroom
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The Morning Room
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The Bradshaw Bedroom
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The Dining Room
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The Drawing Room
See also
- Listed buildings in North Turton
