Details

The monument includes a 17th century dovecote, situated in a farmyard which
contains other contemporary buildings including a granary.
The dovecote, which is Listed Grade II*, is square in plan with four gables
and is unusually large for dovecotes of the period. Its construction in brick
is also unusual for gabled designs and incorporates uncommon circular openings
to allow pigeon access. Internally it contains 1,500 nest boxes as well as the
remains of scaffolding walkways which survive, in part, on all three levels.
These are particularly rare with few examples recorded in the country.
The boundary wall which abuts the dovecote, where it falls within the area of
protection, is excluded from the scheduling although the ground beneath it 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 Manor Farm survives well with its interior substantially
intact. In addition, both the design and scale of its construction and unusual
internal features make it a particularly good example of its class, form and
date.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Books and journals
Hansell, P, Hansell, J, Doves and Dovecotes, (1988), 54,136

Source: Historic England