Dovecote at Home Farm

Dovecote, probably built in the C18.

MATERIALS: coursed local limestone rubble with some ashlar to the north-east elevation. Pantile roof covering.

PLAN: the dovecote is located at the south end of the farmstead and has a rectangular (almost square) plan.

EXTERIOR: the dovecote is an example of a tower dovecote with an approximately square plan. It is double-height with a steeply pitched roof which has exposed rafters at the gable ends. The principal south-east elevation has wide, centrally placed double-leaf doors (not original) under a timber lintel. Three cross-shaped tie plates are positioned just below the eaves. On the south-west elevation the gable head was formerly pierced by a small square opening for the entrance and exit of doves which has since been blocked up in red brick. The shadow of a gable end belonging to a former single-storey building, now demolished, is discernible. A rectangular patch of render within this area is probably associated with the period when this was an internal wall. The north-east elevation has large ashlar quoins on its north corner. The rear elevation is not fully visible due to its being partially covered in ivy. Both these elevations are blind.

INTERIOR: this is one open space up to the rafters. It is lined with stone nesting boxes along the south-west and south-east walls, and approximately along one third of the north-west wall. The remaining areas of the internal walls do not show any evidence of having had nesting boxes. The common rafter roof has through purlins. It has been strengthened in the C20 with two tie beams and a bridging beam.