Highfield farm bastle, Tarset

Has been described as a Questionable Bastle

There are masonry ruins/remnants remains

NameHighfield farm bastle, Tarset
Alternative NamesHigh feelde
Historic CountryNorthumberland
Modern AuthorityNorthumberland
1974 AuthorityNorthumberland
Civil ParishTarset

a second pele is incorporated in the farmhouse itself, this (the Pele) appears to be of a late type (Clarke).

The farmhouse Highfield is now the property of the Forestry Commission and is undergoing restoration prior to occupation. External and internal inspection of the building and enquiries of the Regional Forester, Mr W Scott, revealed no traces or knowledge of a pele tower (F1 FDC 31-AUG-1956).

Highfield Farm is an over-restored house stylistically of the 17th and 18th century. The house is long and narrow with thick walls. One of the outbuildings has a late 17th/early 18th century doorway with bolection moulding and it may have come from the house(?) (Long 1988).

Highfield Farmhouse consists of a rectangular block c.22m by 6m, with a later rear outshut and rear wing. The walls are of squared rubble with large angle quoins, and appear to be c.0.8m thick. Most of the present fenestration is relatively modern, but there are a number of blocked windows in the south front (on both ground and first floor levels), and a pair of small attic lights high in each gable end. Interior not seen, but there is said to be a thick cross wall midway along the range and some interesting features in the attic. Built into the rear (north) side of a byre on the north side of the farmyard is a reset doorway with a moulded surround (with a curious asymmetry to the lintel) of early 18th century character. The house appears to be of the early 18th century (Ryder 1994-5). (Northumberland HER)

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceNY752906
Latitude55.2090110778809
Longitude-2.38983011245728
Eastings375260
Northings590610
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

No photos available. If you can provide pictures please contact Castlefacts

Most of the sites or buildings recorded in this web site are NOT open to the public and permission to visit a site must always be sought from the landowner or tenant.

Calculate Print

Books

  • Grint, Julia, 2008, Bastles an introduction to the bastle houses of Northumberland (Hexham: Ergo Press) p. 64 (reject)
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 2 p. 361
  • Long, B., 1967, Castles of Northumberland (Newcastle-upon-Tyne) p. 161

Journals

  • Christopherson, R., 2011, 'Northumberland bastles: origin and distribution' Medieval Settlement Research Vol. 26 p. 21-33 (listed in appendix)
  • Lax, Amy, 1999, 'Border Troubles and Border Farmers: A study of Bastle Houses in the Upper Tarset Valley, Northumberland' Northern Archaeology Vol. 17/18 p. 165-72

Primary Sources

  • Bain, J.G. (ed), 1894, Calendar of Letters and Papers Relating to the Affairs of the Borders of England and Scotland (Edinburgh) Vol. 1 p. 109 online copy

Other

  • The Archaeological Practice Ltd., 2004, 'Tarset and Greenhaugh Northumberland an archaeological and historical study of a border township' Northumberland National Park Historic Village Atlas p. 42-3 (slight) (The Northumberland National Park Authority) online copy
  • Ryder, P.F., 1994-5, Towers and Bastles in Northumberland Part 4 Tynedale District Vol. 2 p. 139-40
  • Long, B., 1988, List of Ancient Monuments - The Kielder Forests. Unpublished (Forestry Commission)
  • H F Clarke Essex Arch Soc (Author of The Towers & Fortified Houses of Northum 1905 - 1956 Private work unpublished)