Dovecote 75m north-west of Corsham Court

A dovecote, probably late C16.

MATERIALS: it is constructed of limestone rubble with ashlar dressings under a gabled stone-tiled roof. There are bases for finals to the gable ends.

PLAN: it is rectangular on plan and is orientated NW-SE.

EXTERIOR: the dovecote is a tall building of three bays. Its SW elevation has a low doorway with a chamfered, pointed-centred arched surround and a plank oak door. Set high in each gable end is a small, rectangular opening with moulded jambs and a chamfered hoodmould. These allow entry for the doves.

INTERIOR: the walls are lined with limewashed nesting boxes above a stone rubble plinth. There are two rows of ashlar alighting ledges around the walls, and the NE and SW timber wall plates also serve a similar function. The principal rafters have high, tenoned collars and secondary lapped collars, and between them are square-set purlins which form the base for a former louvre. There are two rows of butt-purlins and the eave ends of the rafters are beam-filled.