Welton Tower House

The tower house at Welton survives well and retains significant archaeological deposits and many original architectural features. Taken together with the adjacent medieval manor house, it is thought to be one of the best combinations of manor house and tower in the county. Its importance is enhanced by its association with the adjacent medieval village.

The monument includes the remains of a tower house of 15th century date. It is located within a farm complex, but was originally on the street line at the eastern end of the medieval village of Welton. The medieval village, field system and fishponds are the subject of a separate scheduling. The tower was created in the late 14th or early 15th century by the conversion of the west wing of an earlier, but still occupied, manor house. Both the tower house and the adjacent manor house are Listed Grade II*.

The stonework of the original, steeply pitched western gable of the former wing, from which it was converted, is visible in the west wall of the tower. The tower, which is square in shape and measures 7m externally, stands three storeys high and is roofless. It has a vaulted basement which was clearly a later addition.

The basement was lit by two small square windows through the south wall, the most westerly one of which has been altered to provide a doorway. A small, now blocked, opening through the east wall has been obscured by the insertion of the later tunnel vaulted roof.

The first floor contains a low doorway through its northern wall with a projecting stone spout immediately to the west and a small ornate window through the eastern wall. Both the north and east wall of the second floor of the tower contain a square headed window. Part of the parapet which surmounted the tower is visible at its south western corner.