Dovecote south of Milcombe Hall Farm

Reasons for Designation

Dovecotes are specialised structures designed for the breeding and keeping of doves as a source of food and as a symbol of high social status. Most surviving examples were built in the period between the 14th and the 17th centuries, although both earlier and later examples are documented. They were generally freestanding structures, square or circular in plan and normally of brick or stone, with nesting boxes built into the internal wall. They were frequently sited at manor houses or monasteries. Whilst a relatively common monument class (1500 examples are estimated to survive out of an original population of c.25,000), most will be considered to be of national interest, although the majority will be listed rather than scheduled. They are also generally regarded as an important component of local distinctiveness and character.

The dovecote south of Milcombe Hall Farm survives well and is known to contain all the original nesting holes. It also contains the base of the internal wooden mechanisms which included an egg collecting ladder. It is unusual in plan, being octagonal, whereas most dovecotes in Oxfordshire were built with a circular layout.

Details

The monument includes an early 18th century dovecote, situated south of Milcombe Hall Farm and east of the original Manor Farm. The dovecote has an octagonal plan and is built of ironstone rubble. It contains about 850 nest holes and originally included a complicated wooden egg collecting ladder mechanism. The structure has a stone-slate roof supported by a wooden hipped structure which, although believed to be 18th century in date, is late medieval in character. The present roof has been surveyed in advance of repair and includes a cupola trap-door. The dovecote is a Grade II Listed Building.

MAP EXTRACT The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract. It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features, considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

28164

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
ARCH 1, O.A.U., Milcombe Dovecote, recording prior to refurbishment., (1996)

End of official list entry

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