Arnside Tower, Medieval tower house near Arnside, England.
Arnside Tower is a medieval fortified tower in a northern English border village. The stone structure originally had five floors with thick defensive walls designed to resist attacks.
The tower was built in the late 1300s by the De Broughton family as a defensive stronghold. A major fire in 1602 damaged the structure, which was later repaired and reoccupied by inhabitants.
The tower represents a defensive building style typical of northern English border regions, designed to keep inhabitants safe from raids. Such fortified structures were a common and necessary part of local life during this period.
You can view the ruins from public footpaths that surround the site, giving good views of the exterior. Entry inside the deteriorating structure is not permitted due to safety concerns.
The building features an unusual wing extension in Scottish style, which sets it apart from typical English tower houses. This architectural detail shows how different defensive styles mixed along the border.
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