Limestone Brae, West Allen

Limestone Brae is a hamlet situated by the River West Allen and located about 2 miles south of Ninebanks. There are a number of properties spread along the road to Ninebanks, including Woodbine Cottage, a former Methodist Church and Limestone Brae House. A minor road east from near the old church leads to Throssel Hole Buddhist Abbey (on the site of a former farm) and Myrtle Bank. There is a medieval cross base located in a field west of the old church.^[1] Part of Woodbine Cottage is a Quaker Meeting House dating back to 1691.^[2] Associated with this is a Quaker burial ground, which includes a memorial to Joseph Fairless, who lost his life in the First World War.^[3] Historically, Limestone Brae was part of the grieveship of High West Allen in the ancient parish of Allendale. Whellan's 1855 directory of Northumberland lists Utrick Whitfield (shoemaker), John Ridley (farmer) and John Swindle (farmer) under Limestone Brea (probably a misspelling of Brae).^[4] The 1860 Northumberland Farms Index (Northumberland Archives) lists Limestone Brae and Low Limestone Brae. Today, Limestone Brae is part of West Allen Civil Parish.