Housesteads Bastle is a typical 16th century rectangularstone two storey defensible farmhouse, built with and in the remains of one of Britain's most impressive ruins. Built against one of the guardchambers of the Roman forts southern gateway, the Armstrong brothers found security for their animals on the ground floor and for their family above. Only the ground floor now remains, with its entrance, narrow loops and the external stone steps to the living quarters above, in the 17th century the guardchamber was converted into a corn drying kiln, with the entrance to it from the bastle house. 6 miles south-west is Haltwhistle Castle and 14 miles north is Bellingham Castle.