Low Grains Bastles
Has been described as a Certain Bastle
There are masonry ruins/remnants remains
| Name | Low Grains Bastles |
| Alternative Names | Lowe Graines |
| Historic Country | Cumberland |
| Modern Authority | Cumbria |
| 1974 Authority | Cumbria |
| Civil Parish | Bewcastle |
Low Grains medieval bastle is constructed of calciferous sandstone rubble and is located 30m south east of the now deserted farm of Low Grains. Upstanding remains include part of the bastle's south wall only, the remainder of the building survives as turf covered foundations. The bastle measures 9m by 5m and its south wall stands to a maximum height of circa 1.5m and is up to 1.3m thick. It was entered from the south and some in situ rounded jambs mark the site of the original doorway. In C17 a farmhouse was built on the site and this later structure incorporated the remains of the bastle. A length of field wall partly following the line of the bastle's west wall contains recesses showing that it was part of this farmhouse. (PastScape)
A second bastle has been identified to the north of the field wall running east from the bastle. (PastScape–ref. Perriam and Robinson)
Low Grains medieval bastle is one of a number of bastles located in the parishes of Bewcastle and Askerton close to the Scottish border. It remains identifiable and will contribute greatly to our knowledge and understanding of the wider border settlement and economy during the medieval period.
The monument includes Low Grains medieval bastle, which is Listed Grade II. It is constructed of calciferous sandstone rubble and is located 30m south east of the now deserted farm of Low Grains. Upstanding remains include part of the bastle's south wall only, the remainder of the building survives as turf covered foundations. The bastle measures 9m by 5m and its south wall stands to a maximum height of c.1.5m and is up to 1.3m thick. It was entered from the south and some in situ rounded jambs mark the site of the original doorway, other jambs and a lintel have recently fallen and lie on the ground adjacent. In the 17th century a farmhouse was built on the site and this later structure incorporated the remains of the bastle
A length of field wall partly following the line of the bastle's west wall contains recesses showing that it was part of this farmhouse. In 1618 a Survey of Disordered Persons cites 'Hector Armstrong of Low Grains and Tho. Armstrong sonne of Robert of the same. They did steal Hugh Ridle's catell, and are besides generally reputed great theeves'. (Scheduling Report)
Wall to south-east of Low Grains II Wall incorporating the remains of bastle house and later house. Probably late C16 and C17. Calciferous sandstone rubble. Ground floor end wall of bastle house and remains of the foundations measuring approximately 5 metres by 9 metres, extremely thick walls. Entrance in end wall has rounded jambs and lintel with the remains of 2 drawbar tunnels. Wall adjoining to left has 2 small square blocked windows of a C17 farmhouse. (Listed Building Report)
This site is a scheduled monument protected by law
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 | NY576751 |
| Latitude | 55.0685501098633 |
| Longitude | -2.66483998298645 |
| Eastings | 357640 |
| Northings | 575100 |
