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Site Details

Bastle at Girsonfield Farmhouse (Otterburn)

'Girsonfield' - a farmhouse, which in the time of Queen Elizabeth belonged to the proprietors of Otterburn Castle. Some parts of its walls remain, but a new house of the same name has been built on the hillside to the east (NY 89159377). (1)

Incorporated in it are the remains of a still older steading, the residence of the Halls. (2)

NY 88919424. Remains of the farmhouse consist largely of the turf-covered foundations, which form an enclosure some 12.5m x 6.8m (surveyed at 1/2500).
The north wall, however, which is incorporated in a dry-stone field boundary (see photograph and sketch), stands 1.5m high and 1.2m thick. Its strength suggests a defended (pele) house, presumably Tomlinson's 'older steading', but its relationship to the farmhouse can no longer be determined. (3)

As described by F1. The 'new' farmhouse is now unoccupied and is used as a barn. See illustration.
A third building to carry the name Girsonfield was built in 1959 and is situated at NY 890936. (4)

Possible traces of other buildings round about; the site needs examining in the winter. (5)

Listed by Dodds. (6a)
N8288
Post Medieval (1540 to 1901)
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1970; R W Emsley
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1974; E C Waight


Source of Reference
Local History of Otterburn

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Please note that this information has been compiled from a number of different sources. Durham County Council and Northumberland County Council can accept no responsibility for any inaccuracy contained therein. If you wish to use/copy any of the images, please ensure that you read the Copyright information provided.

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