Hepple Woodside

Has been described as a Questionable Pele Tower

There are no visible remains

NameHepple Woodside
Alternative NamesHepplewoodside
Historic CountryNorthumberland
Modern AuthorityNorthumberland
1974 AuthorityNorthumberland
Civil ParishHepple

A 14th century tower (now ruined) with an extensive mansion added during the 19th century. The mansion was built on the left hand side of the B6341. It was owned by Sir Walter B Riddell, before passing to his widow Lady Alicia Riddell. It then passed to Edward Newton and was demolished in 1970 (Faulkner and Lowery 1996). (Northumberland HER)

Gatehouse Comments

Faulkner and Lowery appear to be the only source for the existence of a C14 tower here. The older county historians and castelologists do not mention a tower. Fore instance Dixon, who was certainly interested in towers, knew now to recognise one and knew the area very well, mentions the house as a 'well appointed country seat' but makes no note of an age to the house and certainly doesn't mention a tower. A transcription of The Comprehensive Gazetteer of England and Wales, 1894-5 on the website UK Genealogy Archives reads "Hepple Woodside is the seat of the lord of the manor and principal landowner, and includes the remains of an ancient castle which belonged to the Bardolfs, the Talboyses, and the Ogles. An ancient chapel stood on Kirk Hill, about a quarter of a mile to the W, was destroyed by the moss-troopers, and was completely removed in 1760." This can be compared with the transcription of John Marius Wilson's Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales of 1870-2, given on the A vision of Britain through Time website, which reads "Hepple House is the seat of Sir Walter Riddell, Bart.; and includes remains of an ancient castle, which belonged to the Bardolfs, the Talboyses, and the Ogles. An ancient chapel stood on Kirk-hill, about ΒΌ of a mile to the W; was destroyed by the moss troopers; and was completely removed in 1760." This suggests there is some confabulation between this site and Hepple Tower where there is a standing C14 tower. (NB. Kirk Hill at NT975006 is 1160m - i.e

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceNY969987
Latitude55.2826995849609
Longitude-2.04881000518799
Eastings396998
Northings598730
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Faulkner, T. and Lowery, P., 1996, Lost Houses of Newcastle and Northumberland (Jill Raines) p. 51
  • Dixon, D.D., 1903, Upper Coquetdale Northumberland: Its History, Traditions, Folk-lore and Scenery (Newcastle-upon Tyne: Robert Redpath) p. 302-3 online copy