Structure Name: The Craster Arms

Description:
 

Fragments of a two storey medieval tower house called Beadnell Tower, incorporated into the rear of an 18th century house, now an inn. The three storey main block measures 9m by 7m, with walls no less than 1.5m thick. Centrally above the first floor is a well-preserved Craster coat of arms.
 

Extant: Yes

Legal Status: Listed Building Grade II*

Location: Beadnell, NORTHUMBERLAND

Eastings: 422930m (view map)

Northings: 629270m (view map)

Position Accuracy: 20m

Positional Confidence: Absolute Certainty

Post Code: NE67 5AX

Structure Types Identified: COAT OF ARMS, INN, PELE TOWER

Historical Background
 

The earliest reference to a tower house at Beadnell is as the property of John Swinburn being sold to Thomas Forster in 1563. The tower remained in the hands of the Forsters until the 18th century, when it was reconstructed. In 1818 the house became an inn.
 

Chronology:

• MEDIEVAL   Construction of tower house.
• 1563   Tower sold by John Swinburn to Thomas Forster of Addestone.
      Entities Involved:
            Swinburn, John:
            Forster, Thomas:
• 1751   Front block probably added at this date (there was a report of an inscription on a door sill attesting to this date).
• 1818   The house becomes 'The Bull Inn', later 'The Craster Arms'.
• 1936   Passage cut through to the public bar from the old basement.

References:

• Images of England
• Keys To The Past
• Northumberland SMR
• Pevsner, N., Richmond, I., Grundy, J., McCombie, G., Ryder, P. and Welfare, H. (2001) The Buildings of England: Northumberland. London, Penguin Books, p.160

The information displayed in this page has been derived from authoritative sources, including any referenced above. Although substantial efforts were made to verify this information, the SINE project cannot guarantee its correctness or completeness.

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