Low Whita Farm

The farm probably existed during the mediaeval period, and towards the end of the era its land was owned by Bridlington Priory. The western range probably originated in about 1600 as a cruck framed house, and then perhaps in the mid 17th century, it was rebuilt in stone. In about 1680, it was divided into two smaller houses, and in the 18th century, the walls were heightened and the roof rebuilt. In the mid-19th century, one of the houses was again divided in two, and all the properties were occupied by lead miners, later becoming agricultural. The barn to the south of the range may originally have been another 17th century house, originally single-storey, but heightened to two storeys in about 1800. At that time, it was part of an extensive range of outbuildings, but the rest of the range was demolished during the 19th century. It is now attached to the houses by an extension to the cow house at their western end.^[1]

The eastern range of the farm is also 17th century, and it was extended to the west probably before 1700. Early in the following century, the extension was divided off as a separate house, and the eaves were raised, to reduce the slope of the roof. The facade was rebuilt, and an additional bay to the east incorporated, which may have been a barn. A further two-bay barn was added to the east in the mid-18th century. In the early 19th century, the eastern bay was raised to two storeys and converted into another house, and the windows were replaced, and yet another barn was added at the east of the range. At this time, the oldest section of the range was used as a butter factory.^[2]

During the late 20th century, the buildings were gradually abandoned, the last tenant being a farmer. In 2019, both ranges were separately grade II* listed.^[3] In 2021, it was added to the Heritage at Risk Register.^[4]