Dovecote at Hall Farm, Lofts Hall (EHER 36747)

A large dovecote situated within the grounds of Lofts Hall. The dovecote, which is Listed Grade II*, is of octagonal design, built of brick with a brick saw tooth cornice. The roof is tiled with a louvred cupola at the apex and two dormer windows. On the west side is a single fairly small door facing the farmhouse. Inside 1500 wooden nest boxes in 19 tiers line the walls. Each nest box has an arched head, and each tier has a continuous alighting ledge. A fully functional wooden potence survives, complete with ladder, and pivots on a large brick octagonal platform 1.2 metres in diameter. The dovecote is thought to date from the 16th century (as did the original hall) but exhibits mainly 18th century features. Scheduled.

The monument includes a large dovecote situated within the grounds of Lofts Hall some 800m to the south of the village of Elmdon. The building complex to which the dovecote belongs includes a church dedicated to St Dunstan, dating from the 12th century (the current hall), and to the east the 16th to 17th century farmstead of which the dovecote is a central feature. None of these other buildings are included in the scheduling. The dovecote which is listed, is of octagonal design, built of brick with a brick saw tooth cornice. The roof is tiled with a louvred cupola at the apex and two dormer windows, one facing north and the other south. On the west side is a single fairly small door facing the farmhouse. Inside 1500 wooden nest boxes in 19 tiers line the walls. Each nest box has an arched head, and each tier has a continuous alighting ledge. Internally each nest box is 'L'-shaped and 0.3-0.35m deep. A fully functional wooden potence survives, complete with a ladder, and pivots on a large brick octagonal platform 1.2m in diameter. The dovecote is thought to date from the 16th century (as did the original hall) but exhibits mainly 18th century features. <1> - <4> NRHE data transfer: Large brick dovecote. Possibly 16th century in origin, but with mainly 18th century features. Largest and finest in the country. Situated at Home Farm Lofts Hall, Wenden Lofts. Grade II. <5> 1977. Field survey. The dovecote is in good condition and said by the owner to have been built in 1598. Restored, but no longer in use. <6> Dovecote at Hall Farm, Lofts Hall, Grade II*. <7> See also: <8>