Cherry Trees Bastle, Corsenside

Description

NY 89538707 Yellow House Cottage, (now known as 'Cherry Trees') incorporates the remains of a fortified dwelling of the type known as a bastle or pele house. These buildings, which came late in the period of border fortification, were probably of 16th or early 17th century date. The remains are of a rectangular building, oriented south west-north east, with external measurements of 9.4m x 6.4m. The walls 1.2m thick, are of undressed stones, some very large, with roughly dressed quoins. The doorway at the north east end is narrow with a plain square head, over which is a crude relieving arch. The occupier of the house, Mr Oliver, states that before it was plastered over there was a circular recess on the underside of the lintel. This would be the upper of the two pivot holes usually found in this type of fortified dwelling. All other architectural features are modern insertions. The building is in good condition and used as a residence (F1 EG 09-APR-1956).
The house comprises a bastle 9.4m by 6.4m externally, with a 19th century outshut to the rear (south east), its central section raised to the north east of the outshut.
The bastle is constructed of large irregular blocks, with megalithic quoins; the walls are reported to be 1.2m thick. The original byre doorway is set centrally in the north east end; it appears to have been slightly enlarged (its chamfer cut away?), and has a relieving arch above. No other old features are visible externally. A blocked first floor window in the centre of the north west wall is probably of early 19th century date.
There is said to be a circular socket, presumably for a harr hung door, in the underside of the byre doorway. Interior not seen (Ryder 1994-5). (Northumberland HER)

Bastle house now converted into house. Late C16 or early C17. Outshut added to rear in C18 and extended to 1st floor in C19. Windows mainly inserted C19. Massive random rubble wall 4 ft thick. Welsh slate roof. 2 storeys. 31 ft by 21 ft. One 2-light C19 mullioned window and one sash window on ground floor, 2 sashes above. On left return, original relieving arch over door 30 inches wide with C20 lintel. Gabled roof with flat coping and 2 stone gable stacks. (Listed Building Report)