Details
HOGHTON
SD 62 NW
2/138 Hoghton Tower at SD 622 264
22.10.52
GV I
Mansion house of de Hoghton family. Begun by Thomas Hoghton 1562-3; dated
1565 in upper courtyard and 1700 on south wing of lower courtyard; probably
mostly sequential building from the earlier date, with parts of mid- to
later C17, and additions of c.1700 and c.1900; derelict by mid C19, but
restored from 1862 (ex situ datestones of 1673 in south-west turret of
ramparts). Sandstone, with stone slate roofs. Dramatically sited on crown
of Hoghton Hill escarpment, on a conservative double courtyard plan, mostly
2 storeys, and employing some similarly conservative features, probably
deliberately. Lower courtyard enclosed by screen wall with embattled gate
tower and corner towers facing down westward slope, added ranges on north
and south sides of this courtyard; upper courtyard with gateway on same
axis (tower destroyed 1642), Great hall and kitchen on north side, state
rooms on east side and living rooms on south and west sides; former chapel
attached at north east corner decayed by mid C19 and replaced with porch;
most of these elements apparently of different builds. Gateways of lower
and upper courtyards have 4-centred double-chamfered arches which have
semi-octagonal responds with moulded caps; over the outer arch of the lower
gate a carved plaque representing a man wrestling with a beast and lettered
T H, in Renaissance architrave; over the upper gateway on its outer side a
carved plaque with shield of arms (2 bulls as bearers) and helm in heavily
foliated surround lettered TH, and on its inner side another with Hoghton
arms and date 1565. Windows throughout have slightly-recessed mullions
(some moulded, some cavetto) but no hoodmoulds, and are variously of 2,3,
or 4 lights, except those to the principal rooms of the upper courtyard,
which have transoms. These rooms are all above ground floor: the Great
Hall raised over a basement has a full-height semi-octagonal bay to the
inner and outer sides of the upper (east) end, fenestrated all round with 3
transoms, gable corbelled out over the corners bearing ball finials on the
kneelers and the apex, on the courtyard side a high-set tripartite window
with 2 transoms (12, 15 and 15 lights) and opposite this on the outer side
an external chimney stack to a side-wall fireplace, and at the lower (west)
end a moulded 4-centred arched doorway up 9 semi-circular steps, a similar
doorway at the north end of the screens covered by a short outer wing or
porch decorated at ground floor with remains of good Renaissance detailing,
including pilasters, strapwork, and entablature, a moulded cornice carrying
a slightly-oversailing upper floor. The east range of this courtyard has
transomed windows at 1st floor of 8+8, 8, and 10+10 lights, and the south
range has similar windows of 4, 6+6, 6+6 and 6+6 lights. Interior:
principal features of interest include late C17 screen and minstrels'
gallery in hall with turned balusters in both parts; staircase in east
range with twisted balusters; well-house in north-east corner of outer
courtyard, with wooden winding gear; and ovolo-moulded beams, panelling,
Renaissance-style fireplaces and overmantels variously restored or copied.
For full description see VCH Lancs VI 36-47; Pevsner, G.C. Miller Hoghton
Tower (1948).
Listing NGR: SD6220026400
