Building record 2247/1/10 - Thorpe Castle House

Manor house with probable medieval origins but mainly built mid 17th century. Restored during the 19th and 20th centuries. The house may incorporate some remnants of Thorpe Waterville Castle although a larger proportion of the castle remains still exist as part of Castle Barn located 50 metres northeast of this property.

{1} Manor house. Probably medieval origins as part of Thorpe Waterville Castle. Mainly mid C17, restored C19 and C20. Squared coursed limestone with Colleyweston slate roof. Irregular T-shape plan. 2 storeys with attic. Entrance front of 4 bays with later gabled cross wing breaking forward to right of centre. Doorway to right of cross wing has 4-centred arch head with mouldings to topside of lintel, probably reset. C20 door. C19 two- and 3-light stone mullion windows, above door, and to first floor and attic. C20 two-light stone mullion window to ground floor left of cross wing with single-light window above. C19 two-light stone mullion window with transom to first floor right. Return walls of cross wing have single-light windows. Lateral stone stacks to left and right. Ashlar gable parapets, cross wing has crow stepped gable. Elevation to right of entrance front is a 2-window range of C20 stone mullion windows with gable to left. Reset medieval lancet window to first floor left of gable. Rear elevation has projecting wing to left, probably C19. Central gabled attic dormer has lateral stack attached to right. C20 stone mullioned bay window to right. Ashlar gable parapets and stone stacks at ridge and end. The house may incorporate some remains of Thorpe Waterville Castle of which Castle Barn approximately 50 metres north-east of Thorpe Castle House (q.v.) is the chief survival. Probably converted to 2 farm cottages late C18. Interior not inspected but said to be remodelled C20.

{5} Thorpe Castle is a Grade II Listed C17th manor house, though much altered. It is of local limestone.

{6} Undated photo;

{8} Photo dated 4th May 1963;

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 7/134 (checked) (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), G09 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN41470.

<3> Page W. (ed), 1930, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.135 (unchecked) (Series). SNN100370.

<4> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.429 (unchecked) (Series). SNN1320.

<5> Soden I., 2009, Archaeological Watching Brief at Thorpe Castle House, Thorpe Waterville, Northamptonshire, p.1-2 (checked) (Report). SNN106411.

<6> Photographs of buildings in Thorpe Achurch (Photographs). SNN113595.

<7> Historic England, CASTLE FARM BARN, THORPE WATERVILLE, BF085104 (Archive). SNN115020.

<8> Miss June Swann, 1960s- 70s, Miss June Swann Photographic Archive (Photographs). SNN116665.

Record last edited

Feb 26 2025 11:49AM