The pele at Hornestead was occupied in 1658. (1)

NY 81477730. Remains of a pele-tower situated on a rocky elevation and separated from overlooking ground to the north by low-lying ground. The walls measure 11.8m east to west by 7.1m north to south and up to 4.5m in height. They are 1.5m thick. (2)

No change. (3)

NY 814773 Remains of bastle. (See Type-site NY 88 SE 14). (4)

Late 16th-early 17th century bastle, massive rubble, roughly coursed. A ruined bastle in a position carefully chosen for defence. It stands on the very edge of a rocky outcrop. The west gable end stands to about 15 feet but the other sides are much lower. The ground floor doorway is in the west gable; it has a rebated surround with a relieving arch over. The interior is largely filled with rubble but the springing of the collapsed vault can be seen. On the north side there are two window slits. (5)

Solitary form bastle, measures 11.8 x 7m, with walls 1.3m thick. Byre entrance in long wall; first floor form - vault. (6)

Interior could be cleared of fallen rubble. Mature tree on north wall. (7)

NY 8148 7730. Bastle at Horneystead, 400m SW of The Ash. Scheduled RSM No 25114. The rectangular bastle measures 11.9m by 7m externally with walls of large coursed rubble 1.3m to 1.5m thick. Only the lower parts of the bastle are standing, with walls up to 4.5m high. An original square headed doorway in the centre of the W wall gives access to the ground floor basement; it has a rebated surround with a relieving arch over and is furnished with a draw bar tunnel and a hanging socket for a door. A slit window, now blocked, is visible in the W end of the S wall. The first floor of the bastle has collapsed into the basement but was originally carried on a barrel vault, traces of which can be seen within the rubble. A drawing of the bastle in 1940 shows the W part of the vault still standing. The bastle was apparently inhabited until the mid 19th century, when the present surrounding farm complex was built. Later stone walls adjoin the bastle to the W and E and a modern fence line runs from the N wall. (8)

It is suggested Horneystead bastle was built in the mid 16th century, although there is no firm diagnostic evidence for this. It was owned by William Ridley of Willimanswike in the beginning of the 17th century who leased the property to a tenant. It was inhabited until the mid-19th century.
Ridge and furrow cultivation earthworks surround the bastle on all sides and probably began to develop in the medieval period. The remains present today are most likely of post-medieval date. The presence of ridge and furrow is evidence of arable farming in the 16th and early 17th centuries when the bastle served as a defensive farmhouse.
The building is in a highly ruinous state, composed of roughly-hewn blocks of stone (greyish limestone and brownish sandstone). All that remains are portions of the ground floor walls. The north and west walls are the most complete; the south wall has a large gap near the centre. The byre entrance in the west wall is the best preserved. In this most recent survey there was no trace of a barrel vault remaining and probably lies hidden beneath the rubble and plant growth in the interior of the building. The north wall is composed of entirely original masonry. The east wall has evidence of two phases (original and 20th century infilling). The bisected south wall has evidence of two phases (original and blocked slit vents of unknown date). The west wall is original masonry. (9)

The bastle is one of the earliest in the region, its plan predating the later more conformable style. (10a-b)