Hellifield Peel is a large mid fifteenth century crenellated tower house. It is said to have been built by Lawrence Hammerton circa 1440 - 41. At this time, bastard feudalism, the practise of keeping a retinue of men bound by indenture, was at its height. Quarrels were often solved by violent clashes between rival families and their private armies.

It was therefore prudent to be able to defend one's house against an attack, even more so if you lived near the border.

It comes as no surprise, therefore, that Yorkshire has many of these buildings. Hellifield Peel is one of the larger examples of this style of architecture, originally having its own chapel in the south-east corner of the first floor.

Hellifield Peel underwent major structural changes in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The east wall has a seventeenth century mullion and transom window and the windows on the north wall are Georgian. However, many of the original medieval features remain. Although Hellifield Peel is on private land a footpath runs past it, allowing the public to study this roofless ruin.