Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Oxwich Castle Dovecote
Penrice, Swansea, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II
- Broad class
- Domestic
- Date of designation
- 9 June 1952
- Locality
- Oxwich
- Community
- Penrice
- Unitary authority
- Swansea
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 51.55568, -4.16833
- Cadw reference
- 22544
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1636 "Cornubia : Devonia, Somersetus, Dorcestria, Wiltonia, Glocestria ..." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
Cadw's description
Location
To the north side of the north-east range of Oxwich Castle.
History
Probably C15 or C16; there is no datable detailing, but it could be contemporary with the rebuilding of Oxwich Castle by Sir Rice Mansel in the C16.
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.
Reason for designation
A substantial fragment of a dovecote asociated with an important Tudor mansion.
Scheduled Ancient Monument (part) GM043 (SWA)
Nearby in the register
- Castell OxwichCastleunder 1 mi
- Oxwich CastleDefenceunder 1 mi
- Tower NE of Oxwich CastleTowerunder 1 mi
- Limestone Quarry and Kiln at OxwichLimekilnunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.