Up until 1619, the law only allowed dovecotes to be built by the lord of the manor or the parish priest. As markers of wealth and importance, they were often prominently sited for visitors to see. For about two thirds of the year, they provided much prized meat for the owner’s table. Also fertiliser, produced by the doves, was collected and used to improve crops. They are constructed in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and materials – square, hexagonal or round – stone, brick or timber framed. They could house tens, hundreds or even thousands of doves.

If you are looking for more information, we have added a useful page to our website – Facts about dovecotes.

If you want:

• More answers to the basic Why’s and Wherefore’s of Dovecotes
• To visit other beautiful Dovecotes in Gloucestershire or further afield
• To go deeper into Dovecote use and history
• To know more about Naunton village, it’s history and the surrounding Cotswolds 
• To try lovely rural walks near the Dovecote

then there are many photos,  books, links and  useful sources of information on the web site.

We will be adding to these whenever more information becomes available.