Caldwell Tower

 

The Tower itself dates from the late fifteenth or early sixteenth century. The three storey tower was built of red sandstone and consisted of a vaulted ground floor which was only accessible through an external door, a vaulted first floor and chamber above. In 1589 the castle was sold by the Wyntour family, who sixteen years later would be embroiled in the Gunpowder Plot, to Francis Clare.

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The Clare family held Caldwell throughout the seventeenth century and rose in prominence with Sir Ralph Clare becoming a notable Royalist whose actions included participation in the Battle of Worcester (1651). Although exiled, the family were able to reclaim their estates after the Restoration of the monarchy. Around 1690 they built a three-storey brick built building connected to the tower on the north-west side.

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Caldwell passed to the Jeffrey family in 1777 and in the nineteenth century was bought by George Turton. Upon his death in 1897 the estate was acquired by the Corporation of Kidderminster who used it for a variety of functions over the next hundred years, However, the seventeenth century house fell into disrepair and was demolished in 1961 leaving Caldwell Tower as a standalone entity.

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It has recently been restored by its current owner