Dovecote At Langley End Cottage

The dovecote at Langley End Cottage is a 17th century structure that has been converted into a garden building. It features 18th century brick infill and a 19th century floor that was added when it was turned into a cottage. The building is timber framed and sits on a high red brick plinth, with red brick infill panels and a steep pyramidal roof covered in old red tiles.

This tall, square structure stands two stories high on the edge of a bank in the former farmyard, with access from the north through a door located next to the right-hand corner post. Above the door, there is a small window, with another window to the left. The timber frame includes corner posts, a middle post on each side, a cross-rail positioned halfway up the timber-framed section, and closely spaced studs.

On the east side, there are blocked segmental arched openings low in the plinth, which likely served for cross-ventilation. Below the eaves on this side, there is an alighting shelf and pigeon holes. The inserted floor is supported by a beam running north to south. Heavy horizontal convex-curved braces connect the wall plates at the corners. The roof is simple, with rafters and centre posts that support an external knob. This building was retained by Sir Edwin Lutyens in his design for Hill End, now known as Langley End.