Swinhopeburn Bastle, Westgate

In the civil parish of Stanhope.
In the historic county of Durham; County Palatinate of (Modern Authority of Durham, 1974 county of County Durham).

Strange, square building which has its origins as a defensive building. It is included in the western of two barns at Swinehopeburn. 3 low storeys, one wide bay, with massive quoins. 2-panel door in wide-chamfered surround with large irregular jambs. Inserted central door under rough lintel and boarded opening at left. Similar lintel to boarded first-floor door; fragments of external steps remain. Central boarded openings on upper floors. Oldest part has one-metre-thick left wall, with low blocked square- headed door; fire in floor above; rear door opposite entrance blocked by raised ground level.

This site has been described as a;
Bastle.
The confidence that this site is a medieval fortification or palace is Certain.
Major remains.

This site is a Grade 2 listed building protected by law*. (Images of England number 407554)

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is NY91013760

Modern Map from

Good for landscape form and features

Modern Map from

Good for general location

Air Photo from

1st edition OS Map from

Sources of information, references and further reading

PastScape number; 1396204

County Sites and Monuments Record number; D3493

Web site links
- http://www.keystothepast.info/durhamcc/K2P.nsf/K2PDetail?readform&PRN=D3493
Books
- Salter, Mike, 2002, The Castles and Tower Houses of County Durham (Malvern) p63 [slight]
  Ryder, P.F., 1994, Bastles in Weardale. The Bonny Moor Hen, No.7 p4

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*The listed building may not be the actual medieval building, but a building on the site of, or incorporating fragments of, the described site.

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This record last updated on Friday, April 6, 2007

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