Wraysholme Tower

Overview

Wraysholme Tower is a 15th-century tower house located near Allithwaite in Cumbria, close to the Cartmel Peninsula. Built as a fortified residence for the Harrington family, it is one of the few surviving examples of a medieval tower house in the area. The structure reflects the blend of domestic comfort and defence typical of northern English gentry homes during a period of cross-border unrest.

Early history

The tower was constructed in the later 1400s, most likely by a branch of the Harrington family, who held estates across Lancashire and Westmorland. Its position near Morecambe Bay and the approaches to Cartmel made it both a practical stronghold and a symbol of local authority. Though not on the front line of Anglo-Scottish conflict, the region was vulnerable to raids, making a fortified residence desirable.

Building and layout

Wraysholme Tower was originally a rectangular, three-storey tower with thick stone walls, a vaulted basement, and a narrow spiral stair. Defensive features included narrow slit windows and battlements, though the overall emphasis was on status and protection rather than large-scale defence. Adjoining ranges and later farm buildings were added, integrating the tower into a working estate.

Later history and decline

By the 17th century the tower had lost its military significance and was adapted for agricultural use. The Harrington line associated with Wraysholme eventually faded, and the building passed through various owners. Like many similar towers, it was gradually absorbed into farm structures, its role as a residence supplanted by more modern houses.

Present condition

Today Wraysholme Tower survives as a well-preserved ruin incorporated into a farm complex. Its walls still stand to their full height, making it one of the better examples of a Cumbrian tower house. Although privately owned and not generally open to visitors, it can be viewed from nearby roads and footpaths. The tower remains a striking reminder of the fortified domestic architecture of late medieval northern England.