Building of the Month July 2023: Moor Houses Farmhouse, near Allendale, Northumberland, NE47 9DW

There could hardly be a more romantic spot for a farmhouse.  Moor Houses Farmhouse stands, as the name suggests, in sweeping moorland near the Tyne Valley village of Allendale not far from Hexham.  It has just been added to the Buildings at Risk Register in the latest additions of new entries.  The grade II listed (LEN: 1042976) farmhouse has origins stretching back a long way, especially for this part of the world.  The listing entry records this as a bastle house, or fortified house, of the late 16th or early 17th century.  Given the turbulent history of this part of northern England near the border with Scotland, life was hard and raids from north of the border a persistent threat.  The survival of this house is therefore very significant. 

The building was extended in the late 17th century and added to in the 19th century. The listing entry notes that it is "an interesting building demonstrating the development over 3 centuries by successive additions rather than rebuilding".  

As far as we know, these buildings appear to have been abandoned.  Ownership and access issues would need to be investigated but these historic structures stand in beautiful countryside and their survival could be ensured with a new use.