Oxwich Castle Dovecote - Gower, Swansea, South Wales
N 51° 33.328 W 004° 10.080
30U E 419025 N 5712244
A substantial fragment of a dovecote now a scheduled Ancient Monument The round Tudor dovecote ruin stands in the grounds of Castell Oxwich on a headland overlooking the wide sweep of Oxwich Bay, Gower, Swansea, South Wales.
Waymark Code: WMVAVF
Location: South Wales, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 03/25/2017
Views: 2
The dovecote probably dates from the 15th or 16th century's, now in ruin, with only 2/thirds of the circumference remaining, alas the roof is missing, which was said to be domed.
As can be seen from the photos there are eleven rings of nesting holes, giving space for approximately 400 pigeons.
The Dovecote is a protected listed building in the care of CADW.
Exterior
"A round dovecote of local rubble limestone. About two-thirds of the circumference of the wall survives, but it lacks its roof which was almost certainly in the form of a dome. The wall is about 0.9m thick. There is a small access doorway in the south east corner with an inside rebate for a lost door to close against; segmental arch. The lowness of the arch suggests the ground level has risen.
Small putlog(?) holes are present at intervals at three levels on the exterior.
Interior
Fair-faced stonework, whitewashed. The dovecote is about 3m diameter at base, narrowing to about 2m at the springing of the supposed dome. Eleven rows of nesting boxes iregularly disposed. The flight holes to the exterior are internally of similar size to the nesting holes and arranged in the same rows." Text Source: (
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"Oxwich Castle was started in the 14th century. It was extended in the 1541 with the addition of the south range, and then at the end of the 16th century by the large east range which consisted of 2 six storey towers. Part of the south range including one of the gateway towers is roofed, but the rest was abandoned in the 18th century." Source: (
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Google Photos:
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