Building record 1232/2/4 - Dovecote at Manor Farm

Dovecote at Manor Farm. A circular stone dovecote with a tiled roof and a tiled lantern over the glover. Internally approximately half of the nesting boxes survive and there is a large timber block set centrally in the floor which could be the base of a potence. The dovecote dates from the early 17th century and has undergone many repairs, including the partial rebuilding of the outside face of stonework, the blocking up of the south entrance and the creation of the northwest entrance.

{3} A circular stone dovecote, said to be of the 15th century, is shown immediately south of the original house and still remains.

{4} Dovecote. Late C15, restored 1917 and 1990. Coursed limestone rubble; plain tiled roof. Circular plan with batter. EXTERIOR: Ovolo-moulded string course under surface. Plank door facing west in inner plane of the wall under flat timber lintel. Above string course on south side is one single light window opening with chamfered jambs and rebates for glass and 2 vertical iron bars. Beneath window is blocked doorway. Conical roof with hipped square lantern open to all sides. On east side is plaque: 'The Lords of the Manor repaired this dovecote tower AD 1917. RS Mylne, BCL, Rector.' INTERIOR : Window with splayed reveals. 19 tiers of nesting boxes, each with continuous roosting ledge. Some of lower nesting boxes blocked and ledges removed. Roof of 2 cross trees on which stand 2 vertical timber posts to lantern of 1990. Plain common rafters.

{7} Description, chronology, interpretation, drawings and condition report.

{8} The dovecote is scheduled as an ancient monument and is also listed at grade II. It dates from the 15th century and is of circular construction with a cupola roof. The main materials of construction are timber and local limestone. It has a diameter of 18ft 8ins. Photos.

{12} Two undated photos as well as photographs taken during the 1993-4 restoration.

[13} The dovecote at Manor Farm, Furtho was assessed by the Oxford Archaeological Unit in 1995 as part of the Monuments Protection Programme. It was recommended for possible De-Scheduling.

<1> Allison K.J.; Beresford M.W.; Hurst J.G. et al, 1966, The Deserted Villages of Northamptonshire, p.40 (checked) (Report). SNN39628.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP74SE4 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<3> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.119/Site 9 (checked) (Series). SNN77382.

<4> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 7/104 (checked) (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<5> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), F11 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN45262.

<6> Sharman T., 2006, Condition Report on Twenty-Four Northamptonshire County Heritage Sites, (checked) (Report). SNN105591.

<7> Giggins, B., 1993, The Dovecote, Furtho, (checked) (Report). SNN74198.

<7> Giggins, B., 2011, The Dovecote, Furtho, (checked) (Report). SNN109302.

<8> Gammans, J., 1988, Northamptonshire County Council Leisure and Libraries Committee 7th June 1988 minutes, (checked) (Note). SNN47416.

<9> Sharman, T., 2011, Welcome to Furtho Dovecote, (unchecked) (Leaflet). SNN108467.

<10> 1939, Move to Save Ancient Dovecote, (checked) (Newspaper cuttings). SNN108580.

<11> Conlon R., 2005, The Whittlewood Project: Historic Buildings Survey, Potterspury with Furtho (Report). SNN105034.

<12> Photographs of buildings in Potterspury (Photographs). SNN112957.

<13> OXFORD ARCHAEOLOGICAL UNIT, 1995, Monuments Protection Programme Step 3 report: Site Evaluation for Dovecotes, Site 43 (Report). SNN113461.

<14> Woodfield, P, 2003, The Whittlewood Project: Phase 1 rapid survey of all buildings within the 12 parishes of the survey, identifying buildings that have, or are likely to have, fabric dating from before 1700 (Report). SNN116636.

Record last edited

Oct 23 2024 4:27PM