Radcliffe Tower
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| Radcliffe Tower | |
|---|---|
 The standing remains of Radcliffe Tower | |
  Location within Greater Manchester | |
| General information | |
| Location | Radcliffe, Greater Manchester, England |
| Owner | Bury Council |
| Design and construction | |
| Designations | |
| Official name | Radcliffe Tower and site of hall 100m south west of the parish church in Radcliffe |
| Designated | 26 June 1924 |
| Reference no. | 1014721 |
Listed Building – Grade I | |
| Official name | Radcliffe Tower |
| Designated | 28 July 1966 |
| Reference no. | 1309271 |
Radcliffe Tower is the only surviving part of a manor house in Radcliffe, a market town in the Metropolitan Borough of Bury, Greater Manchester (historically in Lancashire), England. It is a scheduled monument[1][2] and a Grade I listed building.[3] The house was rebuilt in 1403 by James de Radcliffe, lord of the manor of Radcliffe, and comprised a stone-built hall and one or two towers, probably constructed with ashlar blocks.[3][1] De Radcliffe was granted a royal licence to fortify the site, including the addition of crenellations and battlements.[4]
The manor house was demolished in the 19th century, leaving only the tower,[1] which measures 31.5 feet (9.6 m) by 57 feet (17 m) and survives to a height of about 20 ft (6.1 m).[3] The remains are owned by Bury Council.[5] It was used as a pigsty before being restored.[1] Radcliffe Tower is about 3.3 kilometres (2.1 mi) south of Bury Castle, a late 15th-century moated manor house.
In 2009 plans to restore the shell of the tower as part of a wider restoration project covering Radcliffe E'es, Close Park, and the parish church of St Mary were launched with the support of Bury Council.[6]
Since 2012, archaeological excavations funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund have uncovered medieval glazed floor tiles, roof tiles, and pottery from the 15th century.[7]
The tower in the early 19th century with the manor house on the right prior to its demolition
