Harker’s Hogg House, Muker

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Historical Environment Record No:
MYD1500
Parish:
Muker
OS Grid Reference:
NY863023
Dale:
Malhamdale
Related to:

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Description

Harker's Hogg House, Muker MYD1500 (c) YDNPA, 2023

Harker’s Hogg House, Muker MYD1500 (c) YDNPA, 2023

A single-storey stone built hogg house, once worked from Harker’s House farm. A central spine wall increases the wall area available inside for the hay racks and cribs (small ground level eating troughs) used to feed the sheep, allowing over 100 sheep to be sheltered at any one time. Hoggs are sheep in their first year of life. In Upper Swaledale, winters are severe even for hardy breeds of sheep. Survival and fattening rates can be improved by folding the young sheep at night in these hogg houses and allowing them to graze in the surrounding meadows during the day. When the weather is particularly bad the sheep can be kept in during the day as well.

Source:

Menuge, Adam & Deadman, Jennifer (2004) ‘The Hogg Houses of Upper Swaledale’ in White, R F & Wilson, P R (eds) (2004) Archaeology and Historic Landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales. Yorkshire Archaeological Society Occasional Paper No 2 pp157-172

RCHME (1996) Historic Building Report: Hogg Houses, Muker, Swaledale. Swindon: National Monuments Record Centre

Location

Take B6270 west from Keld. After 2 miles turn right, signed 'Ravenseat only'. Just under a mile along this road, site can be seen on right hand side of road, 40 metres away.

Public Transport Details

Nearest town/village: Keld. Call Traveline on 0870 608 2 608 to plan your journey. After the welcome message key in 885 for North Yorkshire information.

Accessibility

Viewable from roadside.