From an early period this was the residence of the Escolland family, who later changed their name to Dalton. In 1375 it was passed to the Bowes family, when Matilda, daughter of Robert de Dalton and heiress of Sir Jordan de Dalton, married Sir William Bowes. It remained one of their favourite residences for two centuries. From at least the C18th, the tower has laid in ruins.

The tower is a rectangular structure, with thick walls between 1.6m to 1.8m. The thickness of the walls implies that the structure may have carried height, although it seems to have been more a domestic than a defensive structure. There were two high-status apartments, each with quite elaborate fireplaces on the ground floor, as well as an apartment on the second floor with a chamber, a large and elaborate fireplace and its buffet recess set alongside.

In the south-east corner at first floor level are the remains of a small niche decorated with two small shields of 14th century date, which stands to one side of the main fireplace. A rebated door jamb survives to the north end of the west wall and can be seen on the first floor.

Beams carried the first floor of the tower, and corbels are visible on the north wall. It is also that the circular turret may have had been part of a staircase beginning on the first floor.

This is a Scheduled Ancient Monument protected by law. The site is accessible, to the public.