Barden Tower, Medieval fortified house in Barden, England
Barden Tower is a stone fortified house with three stories and thick defensive walls, featuring large ground-floor windows that display interior details. The structure was built between 1485 and 1490 on the site of an earlier hunting lodge and served as one of six forest lodges in the region.
Henry Clifford built Barden Tower between 1485 and 1490 to replace an earlier hunting lodge and establish it as one of six forest lodges. Later, Lady Anne Clifford restored the building extensively after it deteriorated in 1589.
The upper dining room functioned as a place for observing the night sky and was known locally as the Stargazers Room during Henry Clifford's time there. This space shows how residents used their home and expressed their interests through its design.
Visitors are best served by using marked walking paths that link the site to the surrounding landscape. The paths may vary in difficulty depending on the season and weather conditions.
A worn stone plaque above the entrance bears carved text documenting Lady Anne Clifford's restoration efforts and preserves the memory of her work through the centuries. This modest yet distinctive mark shows the family's dedication to maintaining their legacy.
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