Welcome
Pele towers were built between 1350 and 1600 and served as small-scale castles, providing a defensible retreat against attacks from the Border Reivers, raiders and robbers from either side of the Scottish border. Cresswell Pele Tower is a well preserved example and as such is a Grade II listed building and a Scheduled Monument. It is now fully restored and open to the public alongside the Walled Garden.
Opening times can be found by clicking any of the links on this page or simply by clicking here.
Cresswell Pele Tower is a Registered Charity No: 117613
The Walled Garden
In July 2022 the National Lottery Heritage fund awarded £230,000 towards the restoration of
the last remnant of what was once a huge 6 acre kitchen garden that for two centuries
provided fruit and vegetables for the Baker-Cresswell family and their estate workers.
Best Coast or Countryside Project
Cresswell Pele Tower has won the 2025 Award for Best Coast or Countyryside Project.
The prize money will be used to offer garden volunteers the opportunity to visit similar projects and to assist the Living History Group who bring the restored walled garden to life.
You can read more about the awards scheme and see details on he link here.
Love Northumberland Award
Cresswell Pele Tower is proud to have been selected as the winner of Best Coast and Countryside Project in the 2022 Love Northumberland awards’
A certificate was presented by Her Grace the Duchess of Northumberland at a ceremony at the Alnwic Garden on the 29th of June, 2022.
Pele Tower Pages
Investigations
From the high-tech world of geophysical survey to the low-tech world of feildwalking we left no stone unturned.
Excavations
A skilled band of professional archaeologists and some dedicated volunteers discover Cresswell's heritage.
Restoration
And finally, the wonderful old building is returned to it's former glory - with a few very modern twists.
Videos
An introduction to the tower plus look at the first phase of the archaeological work at Cresswell.
Queen's Jubilee
Cresswell paid its own special tribute to Her Majesty the Queen to mark her 70 years as Monarch.
3D Burial Cist
A computer generated interactive model of the Cresswell burial cist, uncovered in 2017.
Northern Saints
We now feature on the Northern Saints website. Find out more on the link below.
