This massive wall some 3 metres thick is presumably part of the wall surrounding Mainsforth Hall, demolished in 1962 which was one time occupied by the 18th century antiquarian Robert Surtees. Link (Archive Link )
Mainsforth Old Hall was the residence of Robert Surtees, who was a friend of Sir Walter Scott (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Surtees_(antiquarian) ). The house has been demolished, but one wonders whether an oak tree that was planted there by Scott on one of his visits is still alive,