Summary

Dovecote 20m north-west of Hawford Grange.

Source: Historic England

Details

This record was the subject of a minor enhancement on 27 May 2015. This record has been generated from an "old county number" (OCN) scheduling record. These are monuments that were not reviewed under the Monuments Protection Programme and are some of our oldest designation records.

This monument includes a dovecote situated within the grounds of Hawford Grange on the north western side of the River Salwarpe. The dovecote survives as a square timber-framed steeply gabled tower-like structure with internal nesting boxes. The dovecote was constructed from sandstone with timber, brick, cement, tile and some straw plaster in the 17th century and was renovated during the 20th and 21st centuries. A base 5.5m square and approximately 1m high consists of coursed square sandstone blocks. Above are four gabled walls up to 8.5m high with close studded vertical timber framing with five rows to each elevation and an angled jowled post at each bottom corner. The timber frames are infilled with straw plaster with some brick and are cement rendered. The north elevation has a double door entrance and a small single mullioned window in the gable. The east elevation has a window with two wooden mullions and three iron bars below a small bird entrance. The western elevation has a blocked window and a small single mullioned window in the gable. The dovecote has a tiled cross gabled roof with a gabled timber access lantern. The interior floor is brick with approximately 150 nesting boxes surviving on the west interior wall with about 60 boxes on the north wall.

The dovecote is a Grade II* Listed Building.

Source: Historic England

Reasons for Scheduling

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. Despite renovations and repairs, the dovecote 20m north west of Hawford Grange survives well, has architectural interest and provides an insight into early 17th century social and economic history. Elements of the original structure will remain concealed behind later renovations and will provide important information on its construction and use.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Books and journals
Alan Brooks, , Buildings of England Worcestershire, (2007)
Other
Fielding, S. 2004., Hawford Dovecote, Hawford, Ombersley, Worcestershire: A Report on an Archaeological Building Recording. Marches Archaeology Series 351.
Pastscape Monument No:- 116376

Source: Historic England