Barden Tower, Barden, Nr Skipton, BD23 6AS Tel 01756 720616 Bardenbunkbarn@ntlworld.com
Home The Facilities Staff Development The Site Booking Details Find
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Home The Facilities Staff Development The Site Booking Details Find
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“This imposing ruin, overlooking the River Wharfe and the valley below
has a history as long and romantic as its appearance suggests.”
Barden, lying between Bolton Abbey to the South and Burnsall to the North was part
of the Craven Estates granted to the Norman baron Robert de Romille after the Conquest.
The name Barden means “the valley of the wild boar” in Anglo-
The Tower was originally one of several hunting lodges in the forest. Its importance soon grew as it became an administrative centre holding forest courts. The Tower became a miniature castle capable of defending itself against marauders including the Scots and an outpost for chasing poachers.
In 1310 Barden and all the surrounding lands came into possession of the Clifford family. They were staunch Lancastrians and became the sworn enemy of the Yorkist kings. Henry, the 10th Lord Clifford “the Shepherd Lord” was born during the War of the Roses and had to live in exile hidden in the Cumbrian Fells. When Henry VII became king in 1485 the Lancastrian families regained their lands and The Shepherd Lord decided to live at Barden Tower in preference to other much grander castles.
He enlarged the Tower and built the chapel at the nearby Priests House and, with the Canons of Bolton Priory, had a keen interest in astronomy which led to the upstairs dining room being named the “Stargazers Room”. He became more recluse from the outside world although holding regular feasts for the locals in the Great Hall.
It is thought that the pikes and halberds still hanging from the beams in the main restaurant dining area were used at the Battle of Flodden. An alternative view is that they were part of a stock of weapons used to quell the Jacobite rebellion in 1745. Either way they are a grim reminder of times gone by. A longbow has also been recently discovered hidden in the chapel.
The Shepherd Lord died in 1523 and the Tower largely reverted back to a hunting lodge for several generations.
There are several barns surrounding the Tower, one of which is now the Barden Bunk Barn. The pictures to the right show how the inside of the barn looked prior to it being renovated in 1984. There are several other outbuildings which are currently derelict although plans are to be submitted later in the year to restore one of these barns into 3 ensuite units to be let on a B&B basis.
In addition, to the rear of the restaurant the former chapel (see picture at the top of the page) which has been unused for many years, is still in a reasonable state of repair. Plans are also being considered to bring this back into use as a function venue for weddings, medievals and other theme nights.
