Binns (ruin)

An interesting ruin of a farmhouse and assorted outbuildings on the Northward slopes above Kitcliffe Reservoir.

Binns farm seems to have gone derelict sometime around 1900 although part of the land was still used as a sheepfold for some years. Today most of the building remains are of low stone walls with stone infill with some interesting decorative features in the form of dressed stone and sills. In our opinion the best feature of the Binns ruin is what must have been something like a root cellar for it resembles very closely the many examples that can be found in America dating back a couple of hundred years. The structure is to the West of the main buildings and below ground level and seems to have always been a separate and not a cellar below another building.

We have a popular hiking route around the Piethorne Valley, taking in Binns and other local ruins.

There is another ruin with a similar vaulted ceiling in Wheelton Plantation – not too far away.

Binns Barn (ruin)

The ruin of Binns Barn is also nearby, a little to the East and on the other side of the track. Not much remains of Binns Barn other than some low walls grassed over but the outline of the former structure can be seen.