Dovecote to East of High House (EHER 35284)

17th century Grade II listed octagonal red brick dovecote, with red plain tile roof. The interior of the dovecote is largely unaltered and contains 517 brick nest boxes set into the walls with a continuous alighting ledge to each tier. The internal roof timbers are to some extent restored but retain a fair number of the original timbers. The security entrance is unique and was probably fitted to keep out pigeon thieves who often stole birds for London pigeon shoots in the 18th century.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import. A 17th century octagonal, red brick dovecote, with red plain tile roof. Carved plaster eaves cornice. Rectangular glover (?) with vane. (formerly listed under the Civil Parish of West Thurrock) <1>. A late 17th century brick dovecote located to the E of High House, some 900m N of the River Thames on a slightly elevated position overlooking the West Thurrock Marshes. The dovecote, which is Listed Grade II, is octagonal with brick walls rising 3m above the exterior cemented plinth towards a smooth cemented eaves cornice (originally carved plaster). The roof is tiles with a wooden louver surmounted by a weather vane and has a dormer window of two lights facing N. The entrance faces W towards the house and has an unusual double door. The massive inner door is constructed entirely of iron and originally had an elaborate lock activating three bolts (parts of which survive), while the outer wooden door is reinforced and secured by iron straps padlocked over staples. The interior of the dovecote is largely unaltered and contains 517 brick nest boxes set into the walls with a continuous alighting ledge to each tier. The first tier of nests is 0.36m from the ground, and between this tier and the floor are two brick string courses projecting about 0.5m, possibly a protection against vermin entering the nests. The nests have entrance holes which are 0.13m by 0.16m leading into L-shaped compartments measuring some 0.28m deep. The nests were thus designed in order to accommodate two broods. The dovecote also retains its two armed wooden potence complete with ladder, (a rotating structure designed to provide access to the nest boxes), which is supported upon a circular brick table (cemented over) some 1.25m in diameter. The main beam of the potence is housed in the intersection of two alighting beams which also carry the framework of the louver. The internal roof timbers are to some extent restored but retain a fair number of original timbers. The security entrance is unique and was probably fitted to keep out pigeon thieves who often stole birds for London pigeons shoots in the 18th century. Documentary sources refer to the dovecote being used as temporary village lock up. A brick wall abuts the dovecote on its W side, where this impinges on the monument's protective margin, it is excluded from the scheduling, although the ground beneath it is included. <2> Photographs from site visit on the 4th of March 1999 <3> Aerial Photograph. <4>. Surveyed in source <5> with the rest of the ancillary buildings associated with High House. Additional reference <6> <7> <8> <9>