Willimoteswick gatehouse, Bardon Mill. Photo by Peter Ryder.

(NY 77056364) Willimontswyke (G.T.) (Remains of). (1)

The first structure at Willimontswyke, on the site of the present manor house, was an oblong barmkin, constructed in the mid-12th or early 13th centuries, to which angle towers were added in the late 13th century. Two of these are still visible at the east end of the house. The gatehouse and buildings on the east side of the courtyard (now converted into stables) probably date from 1484. A license to say mass, granted in 1423 suggests the existence of a domestic chapel. (2)

The Elizabethan manor house was rebuilt in 1890 (3) incorporating only the south wall of the original building. See 1:2500 map diagram for condition report and comments. (4)

Condition unchanged. No further information about the chapel. (5)

A fortified manor house, with a ruined gatehouse three stories in height; the windows date from early in the 16th century, also chimneys of that period. The main house is inhabited. This house was inhabited in the 16th century by close relatives of Ridley, Bishop of Rochester.
The scheduled area seems to consist of the gatehouse and adjoining row of byres and a tower on the south east corner of the main house. The byres are roofed and used and are in good order. The gatehouse has no roof, but there is a well preserved internal triple course of moulding on the corbelling. The arched carriageway has a barrel vault, and a decorative niche above the external entrance to it. The tower adjoining the modern house is devoid of architectural features, save one or two slit windows. The walls have a marked batter to them.
Pevsner suggests the gatehouse is 14th century with later windows. (6)

The manor lay in the liberty of Tynedale. In 1270 it was recorded as a drengage holding of Nicholas Ridley. There is no evidence that it was a vill.
In 1542 the settlement was said to comprise a tower and an adjoining stone house. The Military Road Map of 1749 showed the tower and three other buildings.
No evidence for any more extensive, abandoned settlement. (7)

Willimontswick gatehouse and adjacent ranges, Grade I. 16th century altered.(8)

Two very narrow rectangular towers flanking and rising above the modern house, are all that remain. Passage is tunnel-vaulted and looks late 14th century. (9)

Detailes description. (10)

Aerial survey by RCHME 1987-88. (11)

Building recording and timber sampling. (12)(13)

8/25 Willimontswick gatehouse and adjacent ranges
(formerly listed as Willimontswyke)
24/11/67
GV I
Gatehouse with adjacent ranges, C16 altered. Coursed rubble, stone dressings, slate roofs on adjacent buildings. Rectangular gatehouse at north-east corner of rectangular fortified enclosure. 2-storey east range adjoins south end of gatehouse and single-storey north range runs to west. Front of gatehouse: segmental-headed arch into passage with segmental tunnel vault, scattered fenestration including square-headed opening, with elaborate moulded surround, and 2 2-light mullioned windows with hoodmoulds. Oversailing parapet on 3 rounded stepped courses. Rear elevation similar, with small rectangular lights and one 2-light window over entrance passage, parapet with 2 projecting spouts. Interior has 2 square-headed doorways on right side of passage, the second into newel stair in internal circular turret. Various doorway openings and fireplaces. Altered east range has several C16 or C17 window openings with chamfered surrounds towards courtyard and one 1st floor door with chamfered segmental-pointed head. Roof has old principal rafter trusses with collars. North range, now byres, C18 incorporating earlier masonry towards the west end of the north wall. Segmental-headed arches to courtyard, blocked ventilation slits in rear elevation, principal-rafter roof trusses with collars.
Willimontswick was a fortified manor house rather than a true castle. It is of some note historically as the seat of the Ridley family and birthplace of Bishop Ridley (d.1555).
C. Bates, 'The Border Holds of Northumberland' 1891 383-90 (14a)

(NY 7705 6362) Willimoteswick and remains of [NAT] Barmkin [NR]. (14b)

NY 771 636. Willimontswyke (uninhabited portions). Scheduled No ND/289. (14c)

Air photographs taken in 1998 show earthwork features to the south and east of the manor house. At NY 7711 6361, immediately to the east of the house, there are the potential foundations of a building situated on a slight mound which has been terraced. The terracing respects the building.

Other earthwork features are visible on the east bank of the stream centred at approximately NY 7723 6357. These include a large, rectangular structure defined on three sides by a substantial revetted bank, the fourth side, overlooking the stream, is open. Possible building foundations and a trackway are also visible here.

At approximately SE 7718 6354 and SE 7719 6342, there are further earthwork foundations of potential buildings/structures.

Associated banked boundaries and also ridge and furrow cultivation are also visible.

It seems likely that these features are associated with the manor house, and are therefore of Medieval and/or Post Medieval date. (14d)

The features described as being visible on air photographs have been mapped but have been recorded separately because it was difficult to determine associations between the different features. The three sided embanked structure and some other banked features are recorded in NY 76 SE 55. The boundaries are recorded in NY 76 SE 54 and the ridge and furrow is recorded in NY 76 SE 53. Several extractive pits in this area are recorded in NY 76 SE 57 and 56. (14e)

General association with HER 32210 (field system), HER 26994 (field boundaries), HER 26995 (features), HER 26996 (extractive pit), HER 26933 (extractive pits). (14)