button to main menu  Old Cumbria Gazetteer
Lyulph's Tower, Matterdale
Lyulph's Tower
locality:-   Gowbarrow Park
civil parish:-   Matterdale (formerly Cumberland)
county:-   Cumbria
locality type:-   tower
locality type:-   folly
locality type:-   shooting box
coordinates:-   NY40422019
1Km square:-   NY4020
10Km square:-   NY42

photograph
BLK74.jpg (taken 5.12.2005)  
evidence:-   old map:- OS County Series (Cmd 65 16) 
placename:-  Lyulph's Tower
source data:-   Maps, County Series maps of Great Britain, scales 6 and 25 inches to 1 mile, published by the Ordnance Survey, Southampton, Hampshire, from about 1863 to 1948.
evidence:-   old map:- Crosthwaite 1783-94 (Ull) 
placename:-  Lyulph's Tower
source data:-   Map, uncoloured engraving, Accurate Map of the Beautiful Lake of Ullswater, scale about 3 inches to 1 mile, by Peter Crosthwaite, Keswick, Cumberland, 1783, version published 1800.
image
CT5NY42A.jpg
"Lyulph's Tower / the Author's 2d. Station"
The building is drawn by three sides of an octagon shape. 
item:-  Armitt Library : 1959.191.7
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old map:- Crosthwaite 1783-94 (Ull) 
placename:-  Lyulph's Tower
source data:-   Map, uncoloured engraving, Accurate Map of the Beautiful Lake of Ullswater, scale about 3 inches to 1 mile, by Peter Crosthwaite, Keswick, Cumberland, 1783, version published 1800.
image
CT05Vgn2.jpg
"Lyulph's Tower, the Duke of Norfolk's."
item:-  Armitt Library : 1959.191.7
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old text:- Clarke 1787
placename:-  Lyulph's Tower
item:-  murder
source data:-   Guide book, A Survey of the Lakes of Cumberland, Westmorland, and Lancashire, written and published by James Clarke, Penrith, Cumberland, and in London etc, 1787; published 1787-93.
image CL13P027, button  goto source
Page 27:-  "..."
"We now proceed higher up the lake, till we are near Lyulph's Tower; a very handsome edifice, built by the Earl of Surrey, as a retreat from the noise and bustle of state, to the enjoyments of rural ease and peace. It received its name from a tradition, that Liolf, Lyulph, or Ligwulf, the first owner of this Lake, had a tower here, and gave his name to the Lake. But this is denied by some, ..."
"But to return to the story of Lyulph. I find one of that name mentioned by Speed, Guthrie, and some other old historians: He is said, at the time of the Norman Conquest, to have retreated hither, that he might enjoy more liberty than he could do in the more southern counties. He lived here some time in great retirement, till at length, in 1080, he went upon a visit to Walcher Bishop of Durham. Being a young man, of exemplary sense and prudence, he was much caressed by the Bishop, and thus raised the envy and jealousy of Gilbert, one of the Bishop's chaplains and kinsmen. Gilbert, fearing that Lyuph might supplant him in the Bishop's favour, murdered him, and found means to make his escape: but no sooner was the death of Lyulph known, than the remembrance of his amiable conduct raised such indignation in the minds of the people, that the Bishop grew very apprehensive of the consequences, and loudly disclaimed all knowledge of the affair. This, however, availed little: the minds of the people were filled with such a detestation of all that were any way concerned in the death of their beloved lord, that, contrary to the customs of even those barbarous times, they entered the church, whither the Bishop had fled for sanctuary, and killed him at the very altar."
"From Lyulph's Tower are several fine prospects; ..."
evidence:-   old map:- Clarke 1787 map (Ullswater) 
placename:-  Liulph's Tower
source data:-   Map, A Map of the Lake Ullswater and its Environs, scale about 6.5 ins to 1 mile, by James Clarke, engraved by S J Neele, 352 Strand, published by James Clarke, Penrith, Cumberland and in London etc, 1787.
image
CL4NY32V.jpg
"Liulph's Tower"
item:-  private collection : 10.4
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- Wilkinson 1810 (plate 44) 
placename:-  Lyulph's Tower
source data:-   Print, uncoloured soft ground etching, Lyulph's Tower, Ullswater, Cumberland, by Joseph Wilkinson, engraved by William Frederick Wells, published by R Ackermann, Repository of Arts, 101 Strand, London, 1810.
image  click to enlarge
WKN144.jpg
Plate 44 in Select Views in Cumberland, Westmoreland, and Lancashire. 
printed at bottom left, right, centre:-  "Revd. Jos: Wilkenson delt. / W. F. Wells sc. / Lyulph's Tower, Ullswater. / Published Octr. 1. 1810. by R. Ackermann. 101. Strand. London."
item:-  Fell and Rock Climbing Club : MN4.44
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old text:- Green 1814
placename:-  Lyulph's Tower
source data:-   Set of prints, soft ground etchings, Sixty Small Prints, with text, A Description of a Series of Sixty Small Prints, by William Green, Ambleside, Westmorland, 1814.
image GN09p30, button  goto source
page 30:-  "..."
"Lyulph's Tower, which is the property of the Duke of Norfolk, stands a little above the road, and in that part of Gowbarrow which exhibits one of the finest views of the lake. Lyulph's Tower is an excellent object from all parts where it can be seen, and situate upon that nice degree of elevation from which the lines of the lake appear in a most painter-like arrangement. St. Sunday Crag, in the extreme distance, rears his head high above his neighbours; from which, both ways, see a visible horizon, the most correctly picturesque. Place Fell is rocky, and unadorned with wood, unless about that part of the water seen beyond Silvery Point; but the opposite shores are in high contrast to Place Fell: their swelling sides are richly ornamented with trees, which standing on the water's brink in close array, gradually soften as they rise and melt into the mountain. The fore-ground, or rather the middle-ground, is likewise agreeably diversified with wood."
evidence:-   old print with text:- Farington 1816
placename:-  Liulph's Tower
source data:-   Print, uncoloured engraving and descriptive text, Ulswater and Liulph's Tower, Matterdale, Cumberland, drawn by Joseph Farington, engraved by John Pye, published by T Cadell and W Davies, Strand, London, 1815.
image  click to enlarge
FA0403.jpg
printed, bottom left, right, centre  "Drawn by J. Farington R.A. / Engraved by John Pye. / Ulswater and Liulph's Tower. / London Published Septr. 15, 1815, by T. Cadell &W. Davies, Strand."
Descriptive text:-  "..."
"Our engraving delineates the second reach of Ulswater, which here takes one of its boldest sweeps, "majestic in its calmness clear and smooth as a blue mirror, with winding shores and low points of [ ]and, covered with green inclosures." On the left appears Lyulph's Towers, a hunting-seat belonging to his Grace the Duke of Norfolk, embosomed in plantations that bound the reach; its rugged walls, surmounted with battlements, admirably correspond with the scenes that surround it. This Tower is the residence of his Grace's gamekeeper; its apartments are fitted up in a simple cottage style, the ceilings being low, the floors covered with tiles, and the furniture suitably plain. The windows command the whole course of the Lake as far as the reach. In the garden belonging to this hunting-seat is a waterfall called Ara, or Airey, Force; the water gushes partly over and partly through a gap in the rock, and falls from a perpendicular height of about one hundred and twenty feet. Behind Lyulph's Tower, rise steep slaty fells, from which various noble views of this beautiful Lake, and the enchanting scenery in its vicinity, captivate every spectator."
"[star] This Tower derives its appellation from ULF, a name of frequent occurrence in ancient times. Lyulph (L' Ulf,) was the first Baron of Greystock, to whom this Lake belonged. Burn's Hist. of Westmoreland and Cumberland, vol.i. p.407."
item:-  Armitt Library : A6666.3
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old map:- Otley 1818
placename:-  Lyulphs Tower
source data:-   Map, uncoloured engraving, The District of the Lakes, Cumberland, Westmorland, and Lancashire, scale about 4 miles to 1 inch, by Jonathan Otley, 1818, engraved by J and G Menzies, Edinburgh, Scotland, published by Jonathan Otley, Keswick, Cumberland, et al, 1833.
image
OT02NY42.jpg
item:-  JandMN : 48.1
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   descriptive text:- Otley 1823 (5th edn 1834) 
source data:-   Guide book, A Concise Description of the English Lakes, the mountains in their vicinity, and the roads by which they may be visited, with remarks on the mineralogy and geology of the district, by Jonathan Otley, published by the author, Keswick, Cumberland now Cumbria, by J Richardson, London, and by Arthur Foster, Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, 1823; published 1823-49, latterly as the Descriptive Guide to the English Lakes.
image OT01P009, button  goto source
Page 9:-  "... Lyulph's Tower is a hunting box, built by the late Duke of Norfolk, in his deer park;"
evidence:-   descriptive text:- Ford 1839 (3rd edn 1843) 
placename:-  Lyulph's Tower
source data:-   Guide book, A Description of Scenery in the Lake District, by Rev William Ford, published by Charles Thurnam, Carlisle, by W Edwards, 12 Ave Maria Lane, Charles Tilt, Fleet Street, William Smith, 113 Fleet Street, London, by Currie and Bowman, Newcastle, by Bancks and Co, Manchester, by Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh, and by Sinclair, Dumfries, 1839.
image FD01P146, button  goto source
Page 146:-  "into the grounds of Gowbarrow Hall; and then the Park, in which is situated Lyulph's Tower, a rude hunting-seat of Henry Howard, Esq., that exhibits one of the finest views on the lake. ..."
evidence:-   old map:- Ford 1839 map
placename:-  Lyulph's Tower
source data:-   Map, uncoloured engraving, Map of the Lake District of Cumberland, Westmoreland and Lancashire, scale about 3.5 miles to 1 inch, published by Charles Thurnam, Carlisle, and by R Groombridge, 5 Paternoster Row, London, 3rd edn 1843.
image
FD02NY32.jpg
"Lyulph's Tower"
item:-  JandMN : 100.1
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old map:- Garnett 1850s-60s H
placename:-  Lyulphs Tower
source data:-   Map of the English Lakes, in Cumberland, Westmorland and Lancashire, scale about 3.5 miles to 1 inch, published by John Garnett, Windermere, Westmorland, 1850s-60s.
image
GAR2NY32.jpg
"Lyulphs Tr."
block, building 
item:-  JandMN : 82.1
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old text:- Martineau 1855
placename:-  Ulf's Tower
placename:-  Wolf's Tower
source data:-   Guide book, A Complete Guide to the English Lakes, by Harriet Martineau, published by John Garnett, Windermere, Westmorland, and by Whittaker and Co, London, 1855; published 1855-76.
image MNU1P038, button  goto source
Page 38:-  "... At the first bend [ini Ullswater], the boat draws to shore, below Lyulph's Tower, an ivy-covered little castle, built for a shooting-box by the late Duke of Norfolk; but it stands on the site of a real old tower, named, it is said, after the Ulf, or L'Ulf, the first Baron of Greystoke, who gave its name to the lake. Some, however, insist that the real name is Wolf's Tower. ..."
evidence:-   old print:- Bemrose 1881
placename:-  Lyulph's Tower
source data:-   Print, uncoloured, Lyulph's Tower, Matterdale, Cumberland, published by Bemrose and Sons, 23 Old Bailey, London and Derby, by A B Moss, Carlisle, Cumberland, and by T Wilson, Kendal, Westmorland, about 1881.
image  click to enlarge
BEM124.jpg
On p.84 of a Handy Guide to the English Lakes and Shap Spa. 
printed at bottom:-  "LYULPH'S TOWER"
item:-  JandMN : 455.26
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- Philip/Wilson 1890s
source data:-   Print, engraving, Lyulph's Tower, published by George Philip and Son, London, Philip, Son and Nephew, Liverpool, Lancashire, and Titus Wilson, Kendal, Westmorland, about 1895.
image  click to enlarge
PW1E33.jpg
"LYULPH'S TOWER."
item:-  JandMN : 58.34
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   database:- Listed Buildings 2010
placename:-  Lyulph's Tower
source data:-  
courtesy of English Heritage
"LYULPH'S TOWER / / A592 / MATTERDALE / EDEN / CUMBRIA / II[star] / 74551 / NY4041220196"
source data:-  
courtesy of English Heritage
"House. c1795. For Duke of Norfolk. Stone rubble with some ashlar dressings and some roughcast. 3 ranges in half-hexagon plan, with range to rear of central range, octagonal angle towers. Central range of 2 storeys and 4 bays. 1st floor sill band and high, coped parapet. Ground floor has round-headed windows to central bays, with paired sashes with glazing bars and intersecting glazing bars above; outer bays have 2-light single-chamfered-mullioned windows. 1st floor has 2 round-headed windows under relieving arch to central bays, paired sashes as below; outer bays have small-paned cross-casements, that to 4th bay a later replacement. 3-stage towers are part roughcast and have string courses and embattled parapets, round-headed window to ground and 1st floors of each tower, that to ground floor of tower to right retains sash, other casements; small sash to 2nd floor of tower to left, that to right has round-headed casement. Range to left of 3 bays; embattled parapet and strings. Part roughcast. Round-headed windows with casements to 1st floor; tower to left has small casement in blocked round-headed window to ground floor and round-headed 1st floor window; all casements. Round-headed entrance in skew arch has blocked fanlight and studded door. Range to right has roughcast addition to 1st bay and roughcast tower; embattled parapet and strings. 2nd and 3rd bays and ground floor of tower to left have round-headed windows, paired sashes with single glazing bars and horns; intersecting tracery above. 1st bay has extension, canted back on ground floor level. Round-headed entrance; intersecting glazing bars to fanlight, sashes, single glazing bars over; embattled parapet. Small-paned cross-casement to tower 1st floor. rear has slate-hung lean-to outshuts flanking 5-bay range with hipped roof, triple sashes to ground floor, paired sashes to 1st floor, one single light, entrance to each end; several stacks. Outshut to right has return with round-headed windows, that to ground floor blocked, that to 1st floor with paired sashes, glazing bars, intersecting bars. Interiors are plain, one tower room has flag floor and fireplace with architrave, frieze and cornice. Other rooms have plain panelling. An early example of the Romantic Gothick castellated style; referred to by Wordsworth, Southey and Scott."
evidence:-   old print:- Sylvan 1847
placename:-  Lyulph's Tower
source data:-   Print, engraving, Lyulph's Tower, Matterdale, Cumberland, published by John Johnstone, Paternoster Row, London, et al, 1847.
image  click to enlarge
SYL162.jpg
On p.234 of Sylvan's Pictorial Guide to the English Lakes. 
printed at bottom:-  "LYULPH'S TOWER."
item:-  Armitt Library : A1201.62
Image © see bottom of page
hearsay:-  
 Built by Charles Howard, Earl of Surrey, later Duke of Norfolk, as a shooting box, 1780. Stands on the site of a medieval tower, of L'Ulf of Greystoke, 1st Baron Ullswater.
button to lakes menu  Lakes Guides menu.