Description

Late 18th century. Single chamber lectern dovecot over ground floor room. Tooled coursed pink sandstone with droved dressings; relieving arches; long and short quoins; coped gables; roofless (1998).

NW (ENTRANCE) ELEVATION: broad central doorway to ground floor.

SW ELEVATION: opening to centre of ground floor; large opening set with boarded timber door above.

SE ELEVATION: 18 flight holes above flight ledge below roof; base to sundial to left skewputt.

NE ELEVATION: window to centre of ground floor.

INTERIOR: brick nesting boxes to NW wall above doorway; remains of brick nesting boxes to SE; evidence of joist holes above the ground floor room.

Statement of Interest

Thornton Dovecot was part of the home farm (see separate listing) associated with Whitehill House (now St. Joseph's Hospital, see separate listing), for which it would have provided an extra source of fresh food during the winter. It is characteristic of the lectern dovecot which became widespread in the 16th and 17th centuries. The lean-to roof faces SE so that the birds can sit in the sun, whilst being protected from the north wind by the high back wall. It would appear that the dovecot originally had a small room with windows on the ground floor, perhaps for storage or removal of pigeon dung.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17826833

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

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  Cambridgeshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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  Essex: Buildings of England Series (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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  England's Post-War Listed Buildings
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  Gloucestershire 2: The Vale and The Forest of Dean: Vale and Forest of Dean Pt. 2 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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  Worcestershire Revised Edition (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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  Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes (For Pros By Pros)