Newbiggin Townhead
Has been described as a Certain Bastle
There are major building remains
| Name | Newbiggin Townhead |
| Alternative Names | |
| Historic Country | Cumberland |
| Modern Authority | Cumbria |
| 1974 Authority | Cumbria |
| Civil Parish | Ainstable |
Byre with store above, formerly bastle house. Probably mid C16, with initials T.D. (not T.C. as in Ramm et al, but thought to be initials of Thomas, Lord Dacre, died 1566) and date MDXX (not contemporary with building) on lintel. Thick walls of red sandstone random rubble, with large quoins, raised in height at 2 different periods; high pitched graduated Welsh slate roof. 2 storeys, 2 bays. Ground floor entrance has been slightly enlarged but retains its shouldered lintel and drawbar tunnel; flanking later windows. Upper floor entrance has chamfered surround and inscribed lintel; 2 light stone-mullioned window to left and small single-light window to right with chamfered surround, have both been filled. Small chamfered surround window on two levels in end wall right have both been filled. Large projecting buttress chimney stack to left end wall. Rear wall has similar small filled window, with large C19 entrance and plank doors, reached by ramp. Interior has fireplace with segmental stone arch, with later fireplace on opposite end wall. (Listing Report)
Bastle now used as a barn.
Pevsner first noted this as a bastle, but acknowledged Robin McDowell as source. 1603 Survey; 'The heire of Wm Greme hath a fre tenemt (beinge a stonehouse)...' (Perriam and Robinson 1998)
Not scheduled
This is a Grade 2* listed building protected by law
Historic England Scheduled Monument Number
Historic England Listed Building number(s)
Images Of England
Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
| OS Map Grid Reference | NY562490 |
| Latitude | 54.8346405029297 |
| Longitude | -2.68215990066528 |
| Eastings | 356270 |
| Northings | 549070 |
