Dovecote Attached To Farm Buildings At Manston Hall Farm

The dovecote attached to the farm buildings at Manston Hall Farm dates back to around 1500, with alterations made in the 17th century, early 19th century, and early 20th century. It is constructed from coursed dressed stone and orange brick, topped with a stone slate roof. The dovecote has a square plan and was originally designed with a pyramidal roof.

On the south side, facing Manston Lane, there are large quoins at the base of the wall. A single central opening, which has been inserted and now boarded, features a brick segment head. The left side of the dovecote is adjacent to a later farm building, while the right side has a blank east gable wall made of early 19th-century brick, which is open at the apex. The north wall, which is concealed by the attached farm building, includes a doorway on the left.

Inside, the dovecote contains rows of stone nest boxes along all the walls, with the upper boxes on the north wall rebuilt in brick. The roof features two early 20th-century wooden trusses with king posts and diagonal queen struts. This dovecote is a rare example of a late medieval structure.