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Black Middens Bastle House
Travel Information and nearby accommodation
Black Middens is a ruined 16th century fortified farmhouse, of the type known locally as a 'bastle'. Such bastles were common in the Northumberland region in the long centuries of border raids and turmoil between the English and the Scots in this area. Bastles were most common in the 16th century.
The bastle house is a simple rectangular shape, two stories high, but the interior can only be accessed by way of an exterior stone stair to the first floor level. The structure is approximately 10 metres by 7 metres and is 8 metres to the gable peak. Black Middens is located in unspoiled countryside on the Reivers Route cycle trail.
Most bastles had a vaulted stone roof on the ground floor, which could then be used to support the upper chambers. By contrast, Black Middens used a timber ceiling to the ground floor. The house originally had very narrow doors but these have ben replaced by wider 18th century openings. The stone stair is also a later addition; the original 16th century defenses would have used only a simple wooden ladder. There are two small window openings giving light to the upper floor. The sheer thickness of the stone walls, which are 1.4 metres wide, gives some idea of how important defense was to the builders of the bastle.
Near the bastle stands the ruin of an 18th century cottage, which was built upon the foundations of a house which probably predated the bastle.
It is hard to imagine a more remote feeling place than that occupied by Black Middens. Despite the fact that it is only 7 miles from Bellingham, the location feels million miles from anywhere, and it is hard not to imagine enormous sense of isolation that must have enveloped the inhabitants of the house.
Greenhaugh,
Northumberland,
England
About Black Middens Bastle House
Attraction Type: Historic Property
Location: Open access site. Accessed by way of a narrow minor road north of Greenhaugh village.
Website: Black Middens Bastle House
English Heritage
Location
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OS NY772899
Heritage Rating:  ?
Nearest Accommodation to Black Middens Bastle House
Nearest Self Catering Cottages |
 Middles Cottage -
8.6
miles from Black Middens Bastle House
Hexham, Northumberland
Sleeps: 3
Stay from: £250 |
 Townhead House -
13.5
miles from Black Middens Bastle House
Rothbury, Northumberland
Sleeps: 7
Stay from: £325 |
 Coquet Cottage, nr Rothbury -
13.5
miles from Black Middens Bastle House
Rothbury, Northumberland
Sleeps: 6
Stay from: £250 |
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Nearest Tourist
Information Centre
Bellingham
Tourist Information Centre
Fountain Cottage
Main Street
Bellingham
near Hexham
Northumberland
England
NE48 2BQ
Tel: 01434 220616
Fax: 01434 220643
Email: bellinghamtic@btconnect.com
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