Wigton Tarn Castle

Has been described as a Rejected Pele Tower

There are no visible remains

NameWigton Tarn Castle
Alternative NamesTarnside; Martin Tarn Castle
Historic CountryCumberland
Modern AuthorityCumbria
1974 AuthorityCumbria
Civil ParishWoodside

Carrick implied an earlier building 'in the thickness of one strong wall was a staircase which led to the roof, where a fine view of both Cumberland and Scotch fells could be seen.' This was included as a fortified site on a map in Trans CWAAS Vol. 88 but the footnote explaining the error pointing to Carlisle Journal which describes it as an octagonal summer house. Not a fortified building. (Perriam and Robinson 1998)

Gatehouse Comments

Shown as a complex of buildings, orchard and garden on 1900 OS map but most of these building gone from 1925 OS map to be replaced by current building to the west. Site now under plough and one large field with only hint of crop marks to show previous location of houses.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceNY257517
Latitude54.8545684814453
Longitude-3.15882992744446
Eastings325700
Northings551700
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

No photos available. If you can provide pictures please contact Castlefacts

Most of the sites or buildings recorded in this web site are NOT open to the public and permission to visit a site must always be sought from the landowner or tenant.

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Books

  • Perriam, Denis and Robinson, John, 1998, The Medieval Fortified Buildings of Cumbria (Kendal: CWAAS Extra Series 29) p. 29 (reject)
  • Jackson, M.J.,1990, Castles of Cumbria (Carlisle: Carel Press) (reject)
  • Carrick, T.W., 1949, History of Wigton (Carlisle) p. 239

Journals

  • Perriam, D.R., 1988, 'Bowness Rectory tower (documents relating to ?late 14th/early 15th century bastle)' Transactions of the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society Vol. 88 p. 194n online copy
  • 1911 July 18, Carlisle Journal