Lilburn Tower
Encyclopedia
Lilburn Tower is a privately owned 19th century mansion house at Lilburn
, near Wooler
, Northumberland
. The property is a Grade II* listed building and forming part of the Lilburn Estate. A number of discrete buildings and monuments are scattered across the grange, including the Hurlestone, Hurlestone Tower, and an astronomical observatory.
The ancient manors of East and West Lilburn were united when both were purchased separately by John Clennell of the Clennel family of Clennell Hall
about 1700. The ruinous remains of the old 15th century manor house, known as West Lilburn Tower which incorporated a pele tower are scheduled as an Ancient Monument
and protected by Grade II listed building status.
On the death of Thomas Clennel, the estate devolved to his nephew, Henry Collingwood, who was High Sheriff of Northumberland
in 1793. The estate was bequeathed to Henry John William Collingwood of Cornhill
in the 1820s and in 1828 he began the construction of the imposing new Elizabethan style mansion designed by architect John Dobson
. The house, to be known as Lilburn Tower, was eventually finished in 1842 at a cost of some £25,000. Collingwood himself designed the park and gardens. He was High Sheriff of Northumberland in 1832.
On January 3, 1829, the foundation stone of the mansion house was laid in an elaborate ceremony under direction of the architect. A time capsule
of various items was deposited beneath the stone: "two glass vessels, one containing the different coins of the reign of George IV
, the other a newspaper of the 3rd of January, together with a MS. containing the following names: — 'Robert Hall, Alnwick, mason; Thomas Wallace and Sons, Newcastle, carpenters and joiners; Ralph Dodds, Newcastle, plasterer; Robert Wallace, clerk of the works.' Both vessels were sealed with the arms of Collingwood."
In 1842, shortly after the death of Henry, the estate was sold to his kinsman Edward John Collingwood (1815–1895) of Eglingham, nephew of Admiral Lord Collingwood
. His son Col Cuthbert Collingwood (1848–1933) and grandson Edward Foyle Collingwood
, High Sheriff in 1937, were later owners. The house and estate are now owned by Duncan Davidson
, the founder of Persimmon plc
.
Lilburn, Northumberland
Lilburn is a small village in Northumberland, England. It is located in the on the edge of the Cheviots. The local farming estate is centred on Lilburn Tower.The area is noted for its large number of earthworks and remains of prehistoric settlements....
, near Wooler
Wooler
Wooler is a small town in Northumberland, England. It lies on the edge of the Northumberland National Park, by the Cheviot Hills and so is a popular base for walkers and is referred to as the "Gateway to the Cheviots"...
, Northumberland
Northumberland
Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...
. The property is a Grade II* listed building and forming part of the Lilburn Estate. A number of discrete buildings and monuments are scattered across the grange, including the Hurlestone, Hurlestone Tower, and an astronomical observatory.
The ancient manors of East and West Lilburn were united when both were purchased separately by John Clennell of the Clennel family of Clennell Hall
Clennell Hall
Clennell Hall is an historic manor house, now operated as a country hotel, situated at Clennell, near Alwinton, Northumberland, England. It is a Grade II listed building.The Clennell family held the manor of Clennell from the 13th century....
about 1700. The ruinous remains of the old 15th century manor house, known as West Lilburn Tower which incorporated a pele tower are scheduled as an Ancient Monument
Scheduled Ancient Monument
In the United Kingdom, a scheduled monument is a 'nationally important' archaeological site or historic building, given protection against unauthorized change. The various pieces of legislation used for legally protecting heritage assets from damage and destruction are grouped under the term...
and protected by Grade II listed building status.
On the death of Thomas Clennel, the estate devolved to his nephew, Henry Collingwood, who was High Sheriff of Northumberland
High Sheriff of Northumberland
This is a list of the High Sheriffs of the English county of Northumberland.The High Sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown. Formerly the High Sheriff was the principal law enforcement officer in the county but over the centuries most of the responsibilities associated with the post...
in 1793. The estate was bequeathed to Henry John William Collingwood of Cornhill
Cornhill
Cornhill is a ward, and one of the principal streets of the City of London, the historic nucleus of modern London. The hill from which it takes its name is one of the three ancient hills of London; the others are Tower Hill, site of the Tower of London, and Ludgate Hill, crowned by St Paul's...
in the 1820s and in 1828 he began the construction of the imposing new Elizabethan style mansion designed by architect John Dobson
John Dobson (architect)
John Dobson was a 19th-century English architect in the neoclassical tradition. He became the most noted architect in the North of England. Churches and houses by him dot the North East - Nunnykirk Hall, Meldon Park, Mitford Hall, Lilburn Tower, St John the Baptist Church in Otterburn,...
. The house, to be known as Lilburn Tower, was eventually finished in 1842 at a cost of some £25,000. Collingwood himself designed the park and gardens. He was High Sheriff of Northumberland in 1832.
On January 3, 1829, the foundation stone of the mansion house was laid in an elaborate ceremony under direction of the architect. A time capsule
Time capsule
A time capsule is an historic cache of goods or information, usually intended as a method of communication with future people and to help future archaeologists, anthropologists, or historians...
of various items was deposited beneath the stone: "two glass vessels, one containing the different coins of the reign of George IV
George IV of the United Kingdom
George IV was the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and also of Hanover from the death of his father, George III, on 29 January 1820 until his own death ten years later...
, the other a newspaper of the 3rd of January, together with a MS. containing the following names: — 'Robert Hall, Alnwick, mason; Thomas Wallace and Sons, Newcastle, carpenters and joiners; Ralph Dodds, Newcastle, plasterer; Robert Wallace, clerk of the works.' Both vessels were sealed with the arms of Collingwood."
In 1842, shortly after the death of Henry, the estate was sold to his kinsman Edward John Collingwood (1815–1895) of Eglingham, nephew of Admiral Lord Collingwood
Cuthbert Collingwood, 1st Baron Collingwood
Vice Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood, 1st Baron Collingwood was an admiral of the Royal Navy, notable as a partner with Lord Nelson in several of the British victories of the Napoleonic Wars, and frequently as Nelson's successor in commands.-Early years:Collingwood was born in Newcastle upon Tyne...
. His son Col Cuthbert Collingwood (1848–1933) and grandson Edward Foyle Collingwood
Edward Collingwood
Sir Edward Foyle Collingwood CBE FRS FRSE DL was an English mathematician and scientist.He was a member of the Eglingham branch of a prominent Northumbrian family, the son of Col. Cuthbert Collingwood of the Lancashire Fusiliers, whose family seat was at Lilburn Tower, near Wooler, Northumberland...
, High Sheriff in 1937, were later owners. The house and estate are now owned by Duncan Davidson
Duncan Davidson
Duncan Davidson is the founder of Persimmon plc, one of the United Kingdom's largest housebuilding businesses.-Career:Born the grandson of the 15th Duke of Norfolk and educated at Ampleforth College, Duncan Davidson went into the British Army in 1959 and served in the Royal Scots Greys for four...
, the founder of Persimmon plc
Persimmon plc
Persimmon plc is a British housebuilding company, headquartered in York, England, at a building called Persimmon House. The Company is named after a horse which won the 1896 Derby and St. Leger for the Prince of Wales. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange, and is a constituent of the FTSE...
.