Harbybrow Tower

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as; Hardy Brow

In the civil parish of Allhallows.
In the historic county of Cumberland (Modern Authority of Cumbria, 1974 county of Cumbria).

Tower house, farmhouse and adjoining barn. C15 for Alexander Highmoor, early C19 farmhouse, replacing hall range dated by inscription retained inside THYS HOUSE WAS BUILDED IN THE FOURH YERE OF THE RYNE OF KYNG EDWARDE THE SEX WHAN A BOUSCHEL OF WETE WAS AT viis, A BOUSCHEL OF BERE A NOWBEL, MAULT iiiis ST(ONE) MORE, with porch inscribed THE BLESSING OF THE LORD IT MAKETH RICH G.A.M. (George Moore) THIS PORCH WAS BUILT AD 1876. Tower of large blocks of mixed red and yellow sandstone, with battlemented parapet and flush red sandstone quoins, on large plinth stones. Farmhouse and barn of coursed red sandstone rubble under graduated greenslate roof with rendered chimney stacks. 4-storey tower, adjoining farmhouse to left 2 storeys, 3 bays with barn continuing to left under common roof. West wall of tower, nearest to farmhouse, has hollow-chamfered doorway which originally gave access into the lower chamber, but is now internally blocked and only gives access to newel staircase. 2 periods of roof creases show height of original hall range. South wall has central chamfered-surround openings, that on second floor blocked, with flanking slit vents, those to left for staircase, those to right for garderobes. East wall has 2-light stone-mullioned windows with cusped heads. North wall has hollow-chamfered doorway and 2-light windows (similar) to east wall but these are C19 replacements. Projecting west and east carved-head water spouts below parapets. Inner ground floor stone tunnel-vault. Newel staircase for full height up to parapet walk. Garderobes have original stone seats and hand sinks. Blocked first floor doorway into former hall range. C15 stone fireplaces on 2 levels. Roof and floors gone but corbel stones still in place. Farmhouse has stone-porch, with coped gable and ball finial, and chamfered-surround side door. Sash windows in painted stone surrounds. Rear extension has reused lintel inscribed F.H. 1594. Barn has plank doors and sliding loft door with flanking slit vents.

This site has been described as a;
Pele Tower.
The confidence that this site is a medieval fortification or palace is Certain.
Major remains.

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is NY19224151

Modern Map from Good for landscape form and features	Modern Map from Good for general location
Air Photo from	1st edition OS Map from

Sources of information, references and further reading

PastScape number; 9556

County Sites and Monuments Record number; 3060