Longthorpe Tower

Address: Longthorpe

Opening hours: Normal working hours and days. However, is not free unless you are a member. By becoming a member of English Heritage, you get to visit all sorts of beautiful and historical sites without having to pay each time. You do have to pay for the membership, though. The payment will help support English Heritage’s quest to preserve some of the most compelling sites in the world.

Contact: Telephone 01536 203230

It will, however, be closed from November 1, 2012 to March 28, 2013. Schedules beyond March 28, 2013 should be confirmed later.

A three-story tower located in Longthorpe is understandably named Longthorpe Tower. The tower was built during t he 14th century. The village itself that it was found in is also famous on its own right, being the home to Medieval murals.

Robert Thorpe built the tower with the intention of making it an extension to a fortified manor house that had already been previously built. At that time, the tower could have also stood as a status symbol of sorts for Thorpe. The tower’s first floor was planned to serve as his living areas.

The tower is not just that. It is also home to several English wall paintings from the period. The paintings might have been placed there in 1330. The paintings are pretty varied in themes, combining both secular and religious. They are provincially-made but are comparatively skilfully made. By the Reformation, unfortunately, they were whitewashed and then hidden for a long period until they were rediscovered during the 1940s.

Today, Longthorpe Tower belongs to several properties owned by English Heritage. It is considered to be a Grade I listed building. It is also a scheduled monument, which means that it is protected by the law.

What makes the tower unique and compelling is that it has the most complete sets of wall paintings from the period. This observation covers the whole Northern Europe and the paintings are not just complete but also important. After all, the pieces showcase Medieval provincial art at its best.

The tower is a symbol of man’s desire to make something great even if that something will be used privately, partly as a sign of wealth and status. Longthorpe Tower used to be part of Robert Thorpe’s private dream. Today, owned by English Heritage, the tower is open for viewing. Admission, however, is not free unless you are a member. By becoming a member of English Heritage, you get to visit all sorts of beautiful and historical sites without having to pay each time. You do have to pay for the membership, though. The payment will help support English Heritage’s quest to preserve some of the most compelling sites in the world.

From April 6, 2012 to October 31, 2012, the site will be closed from Mondays to Fridays. It will only be open to visitors from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm during the weekend. It may also be open during the holidays within the period. It will, however, be closed from November 1, 2012 to March 28, 2013. Schedules beyond March 28, 2013 should be confirmed later.