Monkton Farm, Monkton Lane

Monkton Farm was one of four farms in the village of Monkton (HER 178), along with West Farm, East Farm and the neighbouring Grange Farm, leased from the Prior and Convent of Durham. From 1495, Monkton Farm was leased to the Brompton family who held the property until the early 17th century when it passed to Thomas Cocke, a merchant from Newcastle, who died in 1628. An inventory of his holdings at Monkton Farm indicate that he regarded it as a country retreat rather than as a serious agricultural concern. From 1635, the property appears to have been traded between various mercantile families in Newcastle as well as being subdivided. Following the Civil War, the Dean and Chapter was dissolved and their holdings around Monkton were sold. After the initial purchase fell through, Bede Cottage farm was acquired by Thomas Davison, alderman and former mayor of Newcastle. On his death in 1676, the farm was devised amongst his substantial portfolio to his wife. This period might correspond with the construction of Bede House and Cottage (HER 8072) but the farm itself appears to have been leased to Robert Softley, a Monkton resident, from 1659 until 1696, when it passed to William Foster of Hedworth.

By 1703, the lease on the farm was held by William's widow, Margery Foster, jointly with her son, Richard, who succeeded her as the sole leaseholder in 1707. By 1710, Richard also acquired an additional half-tenement in Monkton but appears to have largely resided in Whitburn. His son, also called Richard, did reside in the property with his wife, Ann, but he died in 1738 and the tenancy passed to his eldest son. It is under his tenure that the construction of Monkton Farmhouse (HER 8168) took place. In 1779, Richard Foster sold his tenancy to Anne Kent of West Auckland and from the close of the 18th century to the 19th century, the farm passed through various owners detailed in Kear's article (1982, pp. 202 - 205).

To the rear of Bede House and Cottage (HER 8072) and Monkton Farmhouse (HER 8168), there is a group of vernacular single storey farm outbuildings which wrap around a yard. The roofs are of early clay interlocking pantiles with brick chimneys, a small timber dormer and early rooflights. Kear identified a late 18th century barn as well as a stable, byre, cart shed with a granary, and additional livestock and storage buildings which he dated to the early to mid 19th century (1982, p. 200).