Kinwarton Dovecote

A large early to mid 14th century circular dovecote sits in a field NE of the church of St. Mary the Virgin in Kinwarton. It is said to be the only relic of a moated grange which belonged to the Abbey of Evesham. In fact it may be the dovecot which Robert Green granted to William de Boys, Abbot of Evesham some when between 1345-67.

The lake is in the back left hand corner

It is built of rubble of thin stones that make up its metre thick walls, with some plaster/limestone rendering. It has a conical tiled roof and a louvered lantern probably dating from the 17th century, as well as two louvered dormers with bird openings. Entrance is via a small low entrance through an ogee arch and plank door, and a second mesh wire door inside.

Inside there are over 580 nesting holes in 17 tiers, a Queen post roof, and it's original rotating ladder. The pigeons enter through the top cupola and they do still use it today, although they are obviously no longer farmed for their meat.

A close up of the nest boxes made of stone

Access to the site is via a lane off the B4089 and then a farm track at the end of which is a gate which holds the National Trust sign. There is enough parking at this end of the track for about 3 cars. On leaving your car you climb over a stile by the large gate and walk across a field, which on our visit had cows in it.

The Entry Gate to the field

Past the dovecote, at the far end of the field is a small lake, which may have been the Abbey fishery on our visit there were Canada Geese in the field near the lake and a Grey Heron on it, which flew off away from us.

Once you have visited the dovecote go back across the field to the gate and at this point take a look to your right in the hedgerow and you can see some of the remains of the moat, that once surrounded it.

The following rotator contains 8 images showing the dovecote from it's different angles on the outside and the nest boxes on the inside.

The view from the Entry Gate

Location: Kinwarton Dovecote, nr Alcester, Warwickshire Grid Reference: SP106585 Ceremonial County: Warwickshire Map Link: Multimap Aerial photo: Multimap Getting there: 1½ miles north east of Alcester, off the B4089 take the road to Kinwarton until you come to the farm, the road appears to go off right, but you need to take farm track on the left past the farm until you come to a gate which is where access to the dovecote is. There is enough parking at this point for about 3 cars, park up and walk across field. Access: Via style and grass field. Parking on farm track. Website: National Trust Other Useful Websites: Geograph   Pastscape Email: kinwartondovecote@nationaltrust.org.uk Address: Kinwarton Dovecote, nr Alcester, Warwickshire Postcode: B49 6HB Telephone: 01789 400777 Opening Times: 1 Mar-31 Oct Mon-Sun 11am-6pm or dusk if earlier. Charges: £1 donation Nearby Locations: Other Location Pages: Other Relevant Pages: Dovecots   Dovecots in England    Dovecots in Wales Doocots in Scotland   Dovecots Topic Index  Notes:

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By: Tracey Park	Section: Heritage Section	Key:
Page Ref: kinwarton_dovecote	Topic: Dovecots	Last Updated: 09/2010

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