Outbuildings at Watergate Farm, Beechwood Lane, Crook, County Durham. Building Survey (OASIS ID: allenarc1-383368)

Allen Archaeology Limited was commissioned by Mr Will McKenzie to conduct a level 2 historic building survey to satisfy a planning condition for extending existing dwelling by utilizing existing outbuilding at Watergate Farm in Crook, County Durham. The survey identified three stone structures, probably representing a former 19th century byre, a cart shed and outbuilding, all associated to Watergate Farm depicted on the historical photograph from 1890, as a wide-fronted cottage with a semidetached single-fronted cottage to the northwest. The northwest outbuilding and 'byre' are partially seen on the same photograph. A later picture, probably taken around the mid-20th century, shows a widened and possibly raised house that may have prompted some repair work to the northwest outbuilding. Original features encountered on the 'byre' includes ventilation slits and flagstone and brickfloor with drainage channels. The ventilation slits were likely blocked up when new fenestration was added to the northeast elevation. Around the same time, the southeast elevation was rebuilt and perhaps at an even later date, a new roof was arranged for the stable and storage to the southeast. The southeast corrugate-sheeted, lean-to was added during the late 20th century