Details

The monument includes a medieval dovecote located in the rear garden of Pond
Barton on the west side of The Barton lane. The dovecote, which is a Listed
Building Grade II*, is constructed of random rubble Doulting stone with ashlar
quoins and coved eaves. It is single-storied and rectangular in plan with a
stone tiled roof with coping at the gables and moulded kneelers. There are two
doors; the southern one has a four-centered chamfered arch stone doorway and
the northern has a plain wooden lintel. A single light four-centered moulded
arch window opening is located high in the gable at the east end. Inside, the
dovecote the roof is supported by two `A'-shaped frame trusses, a single
horizontal beam or purlin and ashlared rafters.
Nesting boxes are on all four walls and arranged in three tiers. There are
believed to be approximately 660 boxes in total.
The dovecote was originally part of a medieval grange which belonged to Hinton
Priory, established after 1232 in Norton St Philip. The grange later became
Manor Farm, parts of which still survive.

MAP EXTRACT
The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.

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 220m north of St Philip and St James's Church is a good example
of a medieval dovecote of the less common rectangular type, with both its
original interior and exterior features well preserved. The dovecote is just
one of a number of buildings which were originally part of a medieval grange
complex which lie in an area which has seen only limited disturbance. It is
visited regularly and is sometimes opened to the public during local fund-
raising events.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Books and journals
Hansell, P, J, , Dovers and Dovecotes, (1988), 106,112

Source: Historic England