Chesterton Tower

Has been described as a Questionable Pele Tower

There are major building remains

NameChesterton Tower
Alternative NamesThe Abbey; Rectory Farm
Historic CountryCambridgeshire and the Isle of Ely
Modern AuthorityCambridgeshire
1974 AuthorityCambridgeshire
Civil ParishCambridge

Mid C14 rectangular building; 2 storeys; stone, some brick; hip gabled tile roof; with lower storey vaulted in 2 bays with hollow chamfered ribs and carved bosses; some original windows; old fireplace etc; severe restoration in 1949 when the old dressed clunch was replaced with Ketton stone. The roof is modern but with some re-used timbers. The building belonged probably to the procurator of the abbot of Vercelli and is a rare example of the home of a foreign appropriator. (PastScape)

Gatehouse Comments

Has two octagonal stair turrets which give a mild impression of strength but not a defensible building.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

This is a Grade 1 listed building protected by law

Historic England Scheduled Monument Number
Historic England Listed Building number(s)
Images Of England
Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceTL462597
Latitude52.2170295715332
Longitude0.140019997954369
Eastings546290
Northings259790
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink
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Books

  • Salter, Mike, 2001, The Castles of East Anglia (Malvern: Folly Publications) p. 18
  • Emery, Anthony, 2000, Greater Medieval Houses of England and Wales Vol. 2 East Anglia, Central England and Wales (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press) p. 77
  • RCHME, 1959, An inventory of historical monuments in the City of Cambridge Vol. 2 (HMSO) p. 381-2
  • Turner, T.H. and Parker, J.H., 1859, Some account of Domestic Architecture in England (Oxford) Vol. 3 Part 2 p. 298 (plan) online copy

Journals

  • 1998-99, 'Film Firm's Cambridge Stronghold - Chesterton Tower' Castle Studies Group Newsletter No. 12 p. 31-2 online copy