Post-medieval dovecote 40m south of Cloughton Hall

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 at Cloughton Hall is believed to be the only example in the country of a circular tiered dovecote. It survives well and internal fittings are preserved.

Details

The monument includes the post-medieval dovecote located in the grounds of Cloughton Hall. The dovecote, which is Listed Grade II, is thought to be part of a high status complex at Cloughton. It dates to the 17th century and replaced an earlier dovecote which is known to have been dilapidated during the 16th century. The dovecote is circular in plan, measures 4m in diameter and is built of rubble stone with a domed roof. It rises up in two tiers, each with a smaller diameter than that beneath, with the off set being covered with downward angled skirts of flat stone. The bottom section and each of the upper tiers are approximately 1.5m in height, giving the structure, including the roof, a total height of about 6.5m. On the apex of the roof is a low wooden gable with holes for the birds to enter. This has replaced a square wooden cupola with a pyramidal roof which is shown on a drawing from the 1920s. There is a low doorway on the western side of the building. Inside there is a wooden floor at the level of the first tier with a central access hatch. Above this on the walls of the upper tiers are roughly constructed nesting boxes. The path and wall adjacent to the dovecote, where they fall within its protective margin, are excluded from the scheduling, although the ground beneath these features is included.

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:

31354

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
OXFORDSHIRE 2, O.A.U., MPP Dovecote Assessment, (1997)

End of official list entry

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