Layer Marney Tower
LAYER MARNEY TOWER, WICK ROAD
Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places
Overview
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- I
- List Entry Number:
- 1223988
- Date first listed:
- 23-Jun-1952
- List Entry Name:
- Layer Marney Tower
- Statutory Address:
- LAYER MARNEY TOWER, WICK ROAD
Location
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Images of England Project
- Date:
- 2003-10-17
- Reference:
- IOE01/11021/24
- Rights:
- © Mr Wilfred N. Winder. Source: Historic England Archive
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Discover moreOfficial list entry
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- I
- List Entry Number:
- 1223988
- Date first listed:
- 23-Jun-1952
- List Entry Name:
- Layer Marney Tower
- Statutory Address 1:
- LAYER MARNEY TOWER, WICK ROAD
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
Location
- Statutory Address:
- LAYER MARNEY TOWER, WICK ROAD
The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.
- County:
- Essex
- District:
- Colchester (District Authority)
- Parish:
- Layer Marney
- National Grid Reference:
- TL 92851 17480
Details
LAYER MARNEY WICK ROAD 1. 5214
Layer Marney Tower TL 91 NW 16/33 23.6.52 I 2. The gatehouse and remaining wings of a great early Cl6 house which was never completed. It was begun by the first Lord Marney who died in 1523 and his son in 1524. There has been some C20 restoration and a few small additions. The gatehouse is a remarkable and very fine example of early renaissance work and ornament. The King's Italian architect, Guialamo de Travizi, is said to have designed the building. It stands 80 ft high, built in red brick with terracotta dressings and diapering in flared headers. There are 3 storeys and on the south side Flanking seni-octagonal turrets of 8 storeys with subsidiary turrets of 7 storeys on the north side, square turrets. There is much fine original detail in the windows, parapets and bands of cusped panelling. The small west ring is of 2 storeys and attics, roofs tiled, and with windows and detail similar to that of the gatehouse but more restored, Small modern north wing. Original part of wing has a moulded band between the storeys and a number of original windows. This wing forms the north side of the outer courtyard. A barn, largely rebuilt, incorporating C13 material is on the east side The long gallery forms-the south side, 2 storeys in red brick with diapering in flared headers, and a number of original doorways and windows. The south side is divided into 8 bays by buttresses. The west end has a crow stepped gable. Internally the main block retains many original doorways with moulded or chamfered jambs and four centred arches. The eastern room of the west wing has a fireplace made of original moulded oak jambs and four centred. head. Extensive C16 panelling Re-set original terracotta fireplace in modern wing, has Corinthian pilasters, acanthus consoles and enriched entablature. Numerous other original fireplaces. Original plaster ceilings with moulded ribs, one forming a geometrical pattern and the other a pattern of intersecting lines.
Listing NGR: TL9285117480
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
- Legacy System number:
- 419935
- Legacy System:
- LBS
Sources
Other
Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England, Part 15 Essex,
Legal
This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.
Map
This map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. This copy shows the entry on 03-Jun-2026 at 23:41:13.
Download a full scale map (PDF)© Crown copyright [and database rights] 2026. OS AC0000815036. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100024900.© British Crown and SeaZone Solutions Limited 2026. All rights reserved. Licence number 102006.006.
End of official list entry