Parsons Tower, Northumberland
Photo © Lisa Jarvis, 5 March 2007
Parsons Tower, Northumberland
Photo © Lisa Jarvis, 5
March 2007
Parsons Tower is a 14th century stone tower house to the south-west of Ford Castle. It was the home of the resident parson William Heron. The square tower shows traces of later attached buildings in its stonework and stands to the south-west and detached from Ford Castle. The tower has a chamfered plinth and now stands to the height of the first floor and the basement is covered by a barrel vault, enclosing a single chamber. It was damaged in 1513 and two storeys were repaired in 1541 by Sir Cuthbert Ogle to make a vicar's pele.
The entrance to the bawn is through a passage-way in the ground floor of the house. The castle has undergone extensive restoration, both within the castle and the buildings lead on to the courtyard, which include a smithy and a tea room.