DiCamillo Companion
England

Hoghton Tower

Hoghton

Lancashire

England

Circa Date: 1560-63 w/17th, 18th, 19th & 20th century alterations and additions

Pronunciation: HORTON

Status: Fully Extant

House Open to Public: Yes

Country House: Yes

crown This house has been used for TV and Film

The House from a circa 1904 postcard

  • Earlier Houses: There have been at least two earlier houses on the site of the current house, the first of which was probably built circa 1100.

    Built / Designed For: Thomas de Hoghton

    House & Family History: In August of 1617, James I stayed at Hoghton for three days; this visit has contributed to the legend of the knighting of a loin (a side of beef, called the prime rib in the USA) as "Sir Loin" by the king during his Hoghton visit. This tale of the knighting of a cut of beef is variously told of Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, James I, and Charles II, though only the first is chronologically possible, based on the entry of the word into the lexicon. For many Americans, this legend was first introduced by Warner Bros., who inserted the Sir Lion legend into two of their short cartoons: 1949’s “Rabbit Hood” and “Nighty Night Bugs” (1958). Though there is great debate about the subject, it's possible that a young William Shakespeare visited Hoghton in the 1580s.

  • John Bernard (J.B.) Burke, published under the title of A Visitation of the Seats and Arms of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland, among other titles: Vol. II, p. 241, 1853.

    Country Life: XVII, 198 plan, 234. 1905.

  • House Listed: Grade I

    Park Listed: Grade II

  • "The Witches of Pendle" (1977 - TV). "Treasure Hunt" (1987 - TV game show, episode 5.9, "Lancashire"). "The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes" (1991 - TV series, episode 1.1, "The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax," as Rufton Hall). "The Fortunes and Misfortunes of Moll Flanders" (1996 - TV, using The Great Barn). "Casanova" (2005 - TV, using The Great Barn). "Life on Mars" (2007 - TV series, episode 2.2, as the prison, using The Great Barn). "Cold Blood" (2007 - TV series 3 "Interference," using The Great Barn).

  • Seat of: Sir Bernard de Hoghton, 14th Bt.; De Hoghton family here since the 12th century.

    Past Seat of: Thomas de Hoghton, 16th century.

    Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust

    Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home

  • House Open to Public: Yes

    Phone: 01254-852-986

    Fax: 01254-852-109

    Email: mail@hoghtontower.co.uk

    Website: http://www.hoghtontower.co.uk

    Historic Houses Member: Yes

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