The Raw Bastle

One of the best surviving examples of a 'bastle' or Northumberland defensible farmhouse, the Raw is believed to date from the late 16th century. In 1791 the elderly occupier, Margaret Crocer, was murdered and the house was never lived in again (the murderers were executed, the body of one being displayed nearby). The house was adapted, with a new doorway and steps on the west side replacing the original east facade, and the chimneys removed, and it became a barn for the adjacent Victorian farm. A grade II listed building and a scheduled ancient monument, it was in poor condition and inaccessible.

We took the lead in the conservation and repair works to make it sound and weatherproof, and safely accessible to visitors, the project including carrying out an access audit and preparing proposals for removing the asbestos roof and re-roofing in Westmorland slate. The roof design included introducing unobtrusive stainless steel ties to strengthen the previous roof trusses. Cracks were stiched and repointing carried out using lime mortar; a specialist stone conservator removed disfiguring paint marks from the carvings each side of the east window (below). Other interventions included fitting window grilles to prevent pigeons getting in, adding 'bat friendly' grilles; forming new double-boarded timber doors, a new stair handrail and unobtrusive lighting; as well as parking, paving, walls and ramps to a new picnic area for visitors. We have also advised on the conservation of The Hole bastle, as well as the ruinous Branshaw, Shilla Hill and Boghead bastles.