Cocklaw Tower, Wall. Photo by Peter Ryder.

(NY93927116) Cocklaw Tower (L.B) (1)

A well-preserved pele-tower, probably 15th century. (2)

There are indications of a moat, and external buildings, possibly a barmkin. (3)

The shell of the tower is in good condition. See photographs. There are no remains of a moat, or of external buildings, apart from a fragment of masonry abutting the south face of the tower, which may indicate a former curtain-wall. (4)

Cocklaw Tower. Entrance from south through a passage c.10ft long by 4ft 6ins high. Outer door secured by a fall bar. Door to wheel stair, on right of passage, in south east corner of tower. Other side of passage broken through into dungeon, 5ft x 8ft. Door to basement vault at end of passage. Foundations of other buildings can be traced. Were turrets on all four corners. Traces of refinements - wall decorations in hall. (5)

The tower is a rectangular structure 15.4m by 10.6m, with its long axis approximately north-south. The walls are of coursed neatly squared stone, with a chamfered set-back a little below the first floor. The main body of the building has three storeys, although there are four superimposed chambers in the thickened south wall which also contains the newel stair. (Detailed description given). (6)

Painted Renaissance wall decoration surviving of late 16th century black and white 'antique' work. Parts still survive but urgent conservation is needed. The archer watercolour of c.1862 is the best record. (7)

A comparison of photographs taken between 2005 and 2018 shows that the wall paintings have significantly deteriorated, losses have occurred and further area will be lost without remedial treatment. The painting forms part of a small but significant group of paintings in northern England. (8)

Cocklaw Tower. Grade I. Towerhouse, late C14 or early C15. large squared stone, probably re-used Roman material. Rectangular plan; 3 floors, each with single large chamber, smaller chamber to south and newel stair at south-east corner. Chamfered set-back above basement and hollow-chamfered cornice (largely fallen) below parapet. South elevation shows central pointed chamfered doorway to basement and scattered chamfered lops; above cornice, remains of taller turret at south-west corner. East elevation shows similar doorway at 1st floor level with window of 2 trefoil-headed lights (mullion gone) to right, also various chamfered loops; west elevation shows similar 2-light 1st-floor window, north elevation only loops. Interior: vaulted lobby with doorway to stair on right and hole broken through wall on left into former prison originally accessible only via trapdoor from painted chamber above. Main basement barrel vault partly fallen at north end. Painted chamber, with remains of C16 mural decoration, on south at 1st floor level, and garderobe to north-west. Mezzanine chamber on south between 1st and 2nd floors, entered only from stair. The virtually-intact shell of a towerhouse. (9a)

NY 939 712. Cocklaw Tower. Scheduled No ND/67. (9b)

Description. (9c)

Listed by King. (9d)