Dovecote 600m east of Home 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 standing and below ground remains of Clifton dovecote are particularly well preserved. It is a good example of an early 18th century dovecote which is unusual in terms of its size, location and interior layout. The interior, particularly the nesting boxes, the old ground surface beneath the dovecote and any sub-surface features will all retain important archaeological, ecofactual and environmental evidence. Taken as a whole, Clifton dovecote will enhance out understanding of the construction and use of dovecotes in the area and their position in the wider landscape.

Details

The monument includes the standing and below ground remains of Clifton dovecote, which stands on the village green approximately 600m east of Home Farm. This large dovecote, which is Listed Grade II, is early 18th century in origin and is constructed of red brick with rendered, coped gables. The building is rectangular in plan and measures approximately 11.6m by 5.5m. It has a shingle roof with a renewed, square, louvre at each end of the ridge. A small door opening approximately 0.7m wide and 1.5 high provides access from the centre of the north side. A set of flight holes in each gable end provides access for the pigeons. Just above the door, and circling around the whole building, is a double brick rat ledge. This would have prevented rats climbing up to the flight holes and gaining access to the dovecote. The interior of the dovecote is divided into two compartments linked by a segmented brick, arched doorway. The external door opens into the western compartment. Inside, the walls are lined with a total of 2,300 brick nest boxes arranged in tiers with each tier being served by an alighting ledge which runs beneath it. There are 1,150 nest boxes in each compartment. The building was restored around 1970 in memory of those killed in World War II and a roll of honour has been attached to the southern side of the building. A sheet metal cover has been placed over the doorway to prevent people gaining unauthorised access.

MAP EXTRACT The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract. It includes a 1 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:

29956

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
Severn, J, Dovecotes of Nottinghamshire, (1986)

End of official list entry

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