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DACRE CASTLE Location: OS ref NY4661265 Sheet 90. Near the village of Dacre, 5mls/ 8km East of Penrith off the A66 or A592. |
Dacre Castle a three storey tower house you see today was probably built in the mid C14 to replace the original, of circa 1307 when William de Dacre was given a licence to crenelate. This was so badly damaged by the Scots in 1317 that it required a complete rebuild.
Dacre seems to have been abandoned for the most part of the C16 and C17, until in 1674 Thomas Lennard, Lord Dacre, made it habitable once again. His arms can be seen above the door. The castle was bought in 1716 by Christopher Musgrave after the death of Lord Dacre, but allowed to fall into disrepair. The Hasell family of nearby Dalemain bought it and used it as a farm house. Its condition did not improve until 1961 when restoration was begun. It is open to the public, but a written appointment must be made.
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