castle castle tower house village miles south west constructed century probably background threat scottish invasion raids held family 17th century tower house feet tall built local sandstone topped turrets protruding central block includes ornate main hall renovated 1960s periods disrepair castle private home history castle probably built wife middle 14th century family risen prominence 12th early 13th centuries father acquired licence property close future site castle married margaret extremely wealth result received permission found margaret built castle point death intention creating fortified home tower houses built region period response threat scottish raids invasions older building site possibly uncertain margaret death castle continued owned family death passed briefly crown castle derelict restored lord new entrance castle constructed square 17th century windows installed thomas death castle sold condition castle deteriorated 18th century dilapidated 19th century family farmhouse castle leased years cost property required extensive structural repairs renovations order undertook years construction work cost financial support provided exchange castle opened public years new oak doors castle fitted iron originally nearby castle castle visited princess daughter official trip 21st century castle owned family rented private home protected law grade listed building architecture castle lies valley overlooking stream fields comprises tower house surrounded sided moat creating enclosed courtyard east metres metres moat metres metres wide metres deep protective bank south west sides originally wall surrounded outside courtyard courtyard originally held buildings possibly stables offices tower house designed operate independently need attached facilities design resembles tower house north east corner enclosure takes form square central block large turrets smaller turrets resembling angular buttresses large blocks local sandstone roof central block feet feet inside feet tall feet thick walls building originally entered south west turret ground floor 17th century entrance way directly central block exterior staircase ground floor central block contains vaulted chambers floor forms hall containing ornate smaller chambers turrets second floor similarly forms single large chamber feet high rooms adjacent turrets traditionally called room kings legend described william 14th century large chambers subdivided smaller rooms renovations 1960s uncovered possible priest hole fireplace room kings feet feet chamber sealed avoid cost restoring
Dacre Castle