Dovecote Attached To The North East Corner Of Charlton House

The dovecote attached to the northeast corner of Charlton House dates from the 18th century or earlier. It is constructed from local lias stone that is cut and squared, with a Welsh slate roof over stone slate base courses. The structure features coped gables with gabletted finials and has a brick chimney stack. It stands two storeys high and consists of a single bay. There are plain doors located in the north wall and in the east wall, which is accessed by a flight of stone steps above. The undercroft is said to have housed former ovens, although these were not seen. The upper floor serves as the dovecote, accommodating around 500 nests within its four walls. It has two close double-collar roof trusses flanking the former aperture for the birds, which is now blocked. The square plan of this dovecote is unusual for this part of Somerset, making it significant in relation to Charlton House.