Bruton Dovecote, Grade II* listed dovecote in Bruton, England
Bruton Dovecote is a square limestone tower standing three stories high on Lusty Hill, containing 200 nesting compartments for birds. An arched doorway on the north-east side provides access to the interior structure.
The tower was built between 1554 and 1586 and initially served as a watchtower for Bruton Abbey. The Berkeley family later converted it into a dovecote, changing its purpose from defense to agricultural use.
The dovecote shows how pigeons served as valuable livestock in the Middle Ages, providing meat, eggs, and manure for farming communities. Walking around the building today, you can understand how important these birds were to the daily survival of local people.
The building sits along the Leland Trail, positioned about 370 meters south of Bruton Church and 230 meters from King's School. The location makes it accessible as part of a wider walking route through the area.
Inside the tower, traces of a fireplace and chimney from the 18th century remain visible, suggesting the building once served as a dwelling. These features reveal that the structure had a more complex history than its current dovecote function suggests.
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