It is interesting supplying stock images to editors. To-day it is Dovecotes!
For overseas friends who perhaps are not familiar with the name it is a Dove or Pigeon House…..or better described as a source of fresh meat. Not everyone could have a Dovecote, it was a privilege until the early 1600’s for the Lord of The Manor or those connected to the Church, Priory or Monastery. Essentially they are buildings built to keep pigeons, allow them to breed and to be fattened up for the table. In particular Squabs (young pigeons) were considered a luxury food even by the favoured few.
This Dovecote dates back to 1500’s but like most historic structures it is suggested that it could even be as old as the 1300’s. It is located at Dunster, a West Somerset village in the shadow of Exmoor. Whilst it looks a rather plain building externally a look inside shows how it was constructed to provide nest holes for the birds.
The wooden ladder and feeding platform was a later modification to enable easier access to the nests, but all in all another indication of man’s ingenuity.
Dunster’s Dovecote is typical in design principle to many across the country, a simple tower structure with access for the birds from the top. But not all conformed to the basic style.
This more traditional medieval ‘barn’ building is the Naunton Manor’s Dovecote. The bird entrance to the is on the very top and it is an architectural style still favoured to-day by those who want a Dovecote and of course the Doves in their own gardens.
28 JUNE
DAVID OAKES - IMAGES. 