Former dovecote (Dove Cottage) at Bodysgallen Hall

Cadw's description

History

Bodysgallen was built in 1620 by Robert Wynne. His grandson, also Robert, added the NW wing in the late C17, and his son Dr Hugh Wynne added the NE wing in 1730. The house passed by marriage to the Mostyn family in 1776 and subsequently became a dower house. Lady Augusta Mostyn gave the house to her son Henry, who enlarged the house in 1884, 1894 and 1905. It has been a hotel since 1981.
Bodysgallen had a service yard and buildings to the NE by the early C19. This included the dovecote which is shown on the 1846 Tithe map, and was still used for keeping pigeons as late as 1975. It was converted to a dwelling by Bowen Dann Davies, architects of Colwyn Bay, with windows inserted at the level of the pigeon loft, in 1982-3.

Exterior

A tall and narrow 2-storey former dovecote on a sloping site with a high plinth, of rubble stone and slate roof. The roof has a central tall boarded ventilator with louvered panels, below a pyramid roof with apex weathervane. The front faces a small courtyard on the NE side. It has stone and slate steps, with stone parapet, to a boarded door. Above is a stone plat band. In the upper storey is an inserted window L of centre at a low level, and central 18-pane horned-sash window below the eaves. In the L (SE) gable end is a corbelled 18-pane horned sash window inserted in the upper storey. It is flanked by original brackets supporting pigeon holes and ledges. In the rear (SW) wall an 18-pane horned sash window replaces a former loft door. It is flanked by ventilation strips.
Attached at the downhill gable end, and at a lower level, is a mid C19 former game larder, now converted to a 1½-storey cottage known as Gingerbread Cottage.

Interior

Not inspected.

Reason for designation

Listed for its special interest as a C19 dovecote of distinctive proportions and retaining original detail, and for group value with other associated listed items at Bodysgallen.