Ludworth Tower

Ludworth Tower is the ruin of a medieval fortified tower in County Durham, northern England. A manor house once stood here, and it was later strengthened with a pele tower. Only fragments survive today, yet the site still shows how fortified homes were built in the troubled lands of the north.

What is a pele tower?

A pele tower is a small, multi-storey defensive residence typical of northern England and the border country. It gave the owner's household shelter during raids. Ludworth Tower is one of the few examples in County Durham, which makes it a worthwhile stop for anyone interested in defensive architecture.

How did the tower come to be?

The site began as a manor of the de Ludworth family. It then passed to the Holden family, which sources date to 1411. In 1422 Cardinal Langley, Bishop of Durham, granted a licence to enclose, fortify and crenellate the manor of Ludworth. Such licences were issued under the special powers of the Durham bishops, who ruled the area as a palatinate. Accounts give slightly different construction dates, so the early 15th century is the safest description.

What can you see today?

Most of the tower collapsed in 1890. What remains is:

• a barrel-vaulted basement,
• the west wall, standing three storeys high,
• a fragment of the south wall,
• traces of a spiral stair to the first floor, set in the south wall.

The ruin is a scheduled monument, so it is protected by law. Do not climb the walls or remove stones.

Where is it and how do you find it?

The tower lies west of the village of Ludworth, south of the B1283, in the Shadforth area of County Durham. The village grew up as a pit community, and older records sometimes refer to the site as Shadforth. The ruin can be seen from the surrounding fields, and it fits well into a short walk in the area.

Frequently asked questions

Is Ludworth Tower still standing in full? No. After the collapse in 1890 only the basement, the west wall and part of the south wall remain.

Who built it? The Holden family fortified the manor, which earlier belonged to the de Ludworth family. The licence to fortify came from the Bishop of Durham.

Is the site protected? Yes, it is a scheduled monument.

Is it worth a visit? If you enjoy medieval defences and rare pele towers, it is a short but interesting stop. It is not a developed attraction with visitor facilities, but a quiet ruin in a rural setting.