OS grid reference NY773900 | Phone +44 370 333 1181 | |
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Address English Heritage, Black Middens Bastle House, Bellingham NE48 1NE, United Kingdom Hours Open today · 9AM–5PMFriday9AM–5PMSaturday9AM–5PMSunday9AM–5PMMonday9AM–5PMTuesday9AM–5PMWednesday9AM–5PMThursday9AM–5PM Similar Elsdon Tower, Dally Castle, Milecastle 29, Biddlestone Chapel, Chesters Roman Fort and | ||
Black Middens Bastle House lies about 7 miles (11 km) northwest of Bellingham, Northumberland. It is a two-storey fortified stone farmhouse from the 16th century. In times of trouble, which were common on the English-Scottish border, farmers could hide behind its thick walls. Livestock would be kept downstairs and the farmers' families upstairs.
The original door was blocked over and three additional doors and an external staircase were eventually added, and the roof lost. Nearby on the property is an 18th-century stone cottage.
The house, cottage, and grounds are owned and administered by English Heritage.
References
Black Middens Bastle House Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA