 A tower house (Little Bavington Tower) was recorded on the site in 1415, but this was replaced in the late 17th century by the Shafto family.The Shaftos acquired the estate when William Shafto married the Bavington heiress in the 15th century.In 1716 William Shafto and his son John were attainted for their part in the Jacobite rising of 1715 and the estate was forfeited and sold by the Crown to Admiral George Delaval.