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.

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.

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.

Source: Historic England

Sources

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

Source: Historic England