Whitacre Hall

Description

Large square moated area of Medieval origin, evidently constructed for defensive purposes. The moat is stone lined on the inner faces, and at each angle except the NE is a small square shell tower of red sandstone with open sides towards the internal area. Each wall, including the two short sides, overlooking the length of the moat, is pierced by a loop. Spanning the S arm on solid foundations (not arched) is a small Elizabethan gate house, large enough to admit a small vehicle, built of red brick and having an outer curvilinear gable-head. The entrance, in a square recess on the outer face, is round-headed and has the original nail-studded gate hung with plain strap hinges. Outside the moat are timber-framed farm buildings (VCH). Measures 90m E-W by 75m N-S. The arms average 8m in width. The moat is fed by a spring to the NE. The gatehouse, the shell towers, 5m square and 3m in height internally, and the inner-connecting revetment walls are non-defensive ornamental features in Elizabethan brick (OS record card). (Warwickshire HER)

Walls, towers and gateway. Probably an early C16 remodelling of an earlier medieval site, with a gateway of circa 1600. Later alterations. The walls and towers are of coursed sandstone rubble and the gateway is built of red brick with a plain tile roof. The rectangular site is surrounded by a moat and the walls act as a revetment to the inner bank and rise approximately 3 feet above ground level. A square open backed tower projects from each corner except the north-east. Each has a chamfered plinth and a small rectangular loop to each side. They were all formerly capped by brick crenellations but only those to the south-east tower are well preserved. The gateway is in the centre of the south side. A round-headed entrance arch with ovolo-moulded surround is set within a square headed recess with ovolo and ogee-moulded surround. The recess has a timber lintel with ovolo-moulding and there is a shaped gable above which was formerly capped by a finial, the base for which remains. Nail studded gate containing an opening for a wicker gate. To the rear is a timber-framed gable: the tie beam has ogee- and ovolo-mouldings and a carved trail of oak leaves. In the panels above are quatrefoil shapes and oak leaf motifs. To each side of the gate-house is an ornamental loop. (Listed Building Report)

Comments

This site is not described as a fortified by any of the sources, but is fairly similar to Whichford Castle, which has been described as fortified.