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Known locally as 'The Ducket', the building is a 65 foot high, tapering tower standing four storeys high and was Grade II Listed in 1969. It is shown on the OS map as a windmill and may have been used as a navigation marker, although situated at some distance from the sea. Some sources consider that it was most likely built in the C18th as a pigeon dovecote, providing a source of meat, eggs and manure. 'Ducket' is clearly a corruption of dovecote.

Structural Images of the North East (SINE) alternatively considers that the evidence for the structure's use as a dovecote is weak to non-existent and describes it as the windmill tower of a wind-powered threshing mill, built c1815. If so it is one of only two such towers associated with threshing which survive in Northumberland, the other at Chollerton NY9372 : Chollerton.

With the approval of English Heritage, planning permission was obtained in 2007 to convert the tower into self-catering holiday accommodation with bathroom, bedroom, kitchen and upper viewing gallery.

The tower stands within a medieval moated site. Outchester Farm, shown on maps that pre-date the Ordnance Survey to the east of the tower, was relocated 600m to the west.

Medieval moated site and 18th century dovecote, 600m east of Outchester: Link

Listed buildings and structures are officially designated as being of special architectural, historical or cultural significance. There are over half a million listed structures in the United Kingdom, covered by around 375,000 listings.
Listed status is more commonly associated with buildings or groups of buildings, however it can cover many other structures, including bridges, headstones, steps, ponds, monuments, walls, phone boxes, wrecks, parks, and heritage sites, and in more recent times a road crossing (Abbey Road) and graffiti art (Banksy 'Spy-booth') have been included.

In England and Wales there are three main listing designations;
Grade I (2.5%) - exceptional interest, sometimes considered to be internationally important.
Grade II* (5.5%) - particularly important buildings of more than special interest.
Grade II (92%) - nationally important and of special interest.

There are also locally listed structures (at the discretion of local authorities) using A, B and C designations.

In Scotland three classifications are also used but the criteria are different. There are around 47,500 Listed buildings.
Category A (8%)- generally equivalent to Grade I and II* in England and Wales
Category B (51%)- this appears generally to cover the ground of Grade II, recognising national importance.
Category C (41%)- buildings of local importance, probably with some overlap with English Grade II.

In Northern Ireland the criteria are similar to Scotland, but the classifications are:
Grade A (2.3%)
Grade B+ (4.7%)
Grade B (93%)

Read more at Wikipedia Link