Building record 1142 - Farm Buildings east of Swettenham Hall

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Summary

Grade II listed range of farm buildings. Consisting of a mid 18th century dovecote, flanked by two 17th century stable wings. The Romans appear to be the first to have used dovecotes to give a supply of fresh meat though there are no remains of such structures in Britain. Dovecotes and pigeon houses were introduced to Britain from France in the 11th century. They were normally circular buildings with pivoting ladders that allowed the removal of young birds and eggs. They represent an important source of fresh meat for the estates they were built on and the droppings were used as fertiliser. In the 16th and 17th centuries the droppings were as essential source of saltpetre used in the manufacture of gunpowder. In Medieval times, they were allowed only on the estates of lords or monastic land. Laws were passed in the 18th century, to enable others to build them.

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Full Description

Farm Buildings east of Swettenham Hall, Swettenham Road. Range of farm buildings consisting of a dovecote, mid 18th century, flanked south by stable wing 1678 (door head tablet) and west by an L-shaped stable wing 1696 (door head tablet). Red brick dovecote, brown brick stables, stone slate roof, five truss bays and five bays. The north-west section has a stone plinth, three and four-light stone mullion windows. A stone tablet above the door has the initials STF 1696, sourrounded by a coat of arms. The south wing has a tablet with S-TM 1678 over a door. The dovecote, in Flemish Bond, has a stone pyramid roof with weather vane. The west section has two wide carriage openings with elliptical arches almost at eaves level. Interior: the west section is least altered and has strutted trusses, original purlins, ridge tree, wind braces and rafters. Full architectural description (1).


<1> Department of the Environment, 1971-2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Report). SCH1934.

Sources/Archives (1)

  • <1> Report: Department of the Environment. 1971-2005. List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. N/A.

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Events/Activities (2)

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Location

Grid reference Centred SJ 810 665 (35m by 62m) (2 map features)
Map sheet SJ86NW
Civil Parish SWETTENHAM, CONGLETON, CHESHIRE EAST
Historic Township/Parish/County SWETTENHAM, SWETTENHAM, CHESHIRE

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Record last edited

Jan 23 2023 3:34PM