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Summary

An 18th century brick dovecote now converted to a house.

Location

Protected Status

• Listed Building (II) 1097667: ROUND HOUSE
• Registered Park or Garden (II*) 1000698: POWDERHAM CASTLE

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX98SE/15
• Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division: SX98SE(M)

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• DOVECOTE (Built, XVIII - 1701 AD (Between) to 1800 AD (Between))

Full description

Copeland, G. W., 1937, Devon Dovecotes, 399-400, Fig. 5, Pl. 61 (Article in Serial). SDV266150.

Not far from Powderham Castle, in a broad and shallow vale - known as Pigeon Vale - is a circular brick dovecote which has been converted into a dwelling house. It is large and beautifully constructed, with a plain angular plinth and a conical roof which has been grouted. It has been enlarged towards the northeast by the erection of a rectangular two-storeyed annexe. The nest-holes have been filled and plastered over, the round rooms divided into two, but traces of the birds' entrance are still to be seen inside the roof. It is now known as the round house.

Department of Environment, 1949, St Thomas RD, 99 (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV336476.

Round House. Although locally said to be the castle dovecote this has the look of a windmill base.

Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division, 1953, SX98SE(M) (Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card). SDV340885.

Department of Environment, 1988, Powderham (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV340888.

Round House, said to be converted from the remains of the Powderham Castle dovecote. 18th century with a probably 19th century addition. Former dovecote. Flemish bond brick with a bitumen-painted conical slate roof; whitewashed rendered addition ; stack to dovecote withbrick shaft.
Plan: Former dovecote round on plan and described in 1799 by Swete as a dove-house "with a cupola". 1 room plan addition.
Exterior: The dovecote with 2 ground floor and 1 first floor 2-light casements ; 2 doors into added block which has 20th century windows.
Interior: Plain.
An unusual survival and important for landscape value. A striking feature in the Powderham landscape. Other details: LBS No 85990.

Wills, A., 2008, Devon's dovecotes, an undergraduate investigation, Appendix 1M, Photo (Undergraduate Dissertation). SDV366424.

Circular, brick dovecote with a conical slate roof. About 9m high to the top of the roof and 6m external diameter. Converted into a two storey dwelling and extended with the addition of a two storey annex with a slated, gabled roof.

Ordnance Survey, 2025, Mastermap 2025 (Cartographic). SDV366286.

Round House with extension shown.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded

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