Lendal Tower

LENDAL TOWER, MUSEUM STREET

Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places

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Overview

Heritage Category:
Listed Building
Grade:
I
List Entry Number:
1257086
Date first listed:
14-Jun-1954
List Entry Name:
Lendal Tower
Statutory Address:
LENDAL TOWER, MUSEUM STREET
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Location

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Date:
2001-05-24
Reference:
IOE01/03719/08
Rights:
© Mr Chris Broadribb. Source: Historic England Archive

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:
Listed Building
Grade:
I
List Entry Number:
1257086
Date first listed:
14-Jun-1954
List Entry Name:
Lendal Tower
Statutory Address 1:
LENDAL TOWER, MUSEUM STREET

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.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

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.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:
LENDAL TOWER, MUSEUM STREET

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

District:
York (Unitary Authority)
Parish:
Non Civil Parish
National Grid Reference:
SE 59991 51959

Details

YORK

SE5951NE MUSEUM STREET 1112-1/15/792 (North West side) 14/06/54 Lendal Tower

GV I

Defensive tower converted for use as water tower, now used as offices. c1300; heightened 1616, strengthened and extended c1677; altered for offices c1846; refitted 1932. Magnesian limestone, much re-used and including carved fragments of canopy, finial and other mouldings from the ruins of St Mary's Abbey (qqv): roof not visible but said to be of copper. EXTERIOR: 3-stage circular tower with extruded circular stair tower, on chamfered plinth; 3-storey extension. All parts are embattled. Tower entered through Lendal Hill House (qv): unused C19 shouldered doorway with panelled double doors survives in extension. Blocked slit lights are visible on ground floor of both towers: 1- and 2-light windows elsewhere in chamfered openings with chamfered mullions. INTERIOR: not inspected. RCHM record brick partition wall on the lower storeys retaining evidence of engine housings; wooden spiral staircase in stair tower; rooms on first and second floors fitted with panelling. HISTORICAL NOTE: the tower was leased to the Waterworks Company by the York Corporation in 1677 for 500 years in return for a peppercorn rent, still paid annually by the Company in 1994. (An Inventory of the Historical Monuments in the City of York: RCHME: The Defences: HMSO: 1972-: 108).

Listing NGR: SE5999151959

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:
464253
Legacy System:
LBS

Sources

Books and journals
An Inventory of the City of York II Defences, (1972), 108

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.

Ordnance survey map of Lendal Tower

Map

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End of official list entry

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