More information : A Pele formerly stood at Ridge End (NY 72868589) (1)
Ridge End farmhouse is a converted bastle-house. It still retains the peculiar features of these later type "strong houses". Notably the splayed window openings and thick strongly built stone walls.
The farmhouse is of two periods, the east end being a fortified dwelling, the west end, an 18/19c extension. The earlier construction, of massive stonework, three storeys in height and gabled, with walls 1.8m thick, measures overall 11.1m E-W, 7.4m N-S and stands upon a rocky prominence above the confluence of the Smales Burn with the River North Tyne, to the NE. The Burn provides a natural defence upon the S side, and a small tributary flowing down a deep gully on the W side, isolates the site from higher ground in that direction. The position commands the broad valley of the River North Tyne to the north and east.
Moulded stones in the east wall bear evidence of an original entrance at 1st storey level. (3)
"Bastle-houses", or "strong-houses" within this county have been attributed to the 15/16c. (4)
Condition unchanged. (5)
NY 728858 Modified bastle (See Type-site NY 88 SE 14) (6)
There are no traces of the 'splayed window openings' referred to in report of 14 7 56, the only external traces of an original window is a probable jamb 0.8m left of the modern upper right window in the south wall. (7)
Ridge End. House, incorporating a 16th century bastle. Listed Grade II. (8)
Listed by Cathcart King and by Dodds. (9,10) |