Cockpit About 8 Metres North Of The Arundell Arms

SX 38 NE LIFTON FORE STREET, Lifton

2/136 Cockpit about 8m north of the - Arundell Arms

GV II

Cockpit, now in use as rod and tackle room. Probably C18 with late C20 alterations. Stone rubble with steeply-pitched pyramidal wooden shingle roof, formerly thatched. Octagonal cockpit with gabled entrance with C20 door below chamfered 1-light segmental pointed window. A second entrance, filling most of one side, has been converted into a 2-light fixed window above a plank panel. Weathervane at apex of roof. Interior A raised earth octagonal platform in the centre is said to be the original fighting pit. The roof timbers and thatch were replaced in the circa 1970s. An indated photograph ofthe building when thatched shows double timber doors in place of the present window. Cock-fighting remained popular into the C19 and although legislation to abolish animal- baiting was passed in 1835 there are records of illegal baits in the 1850s.

Listing NGR: SX3862585117