Pigeon house, Whitefield Drive

Dovecot PigeonhouseThis small tower in Westvale was once used as a pigeon cote in the upper part and a pigsty in the lower part. It was built in the same year as nearby Whitefield house in 1703, which is also a listed building.

This type of tower was known as a columbarium to the Romans, with tiers of niches inside for nesting pigeons. It was also at one time illegal to keep pigeons unless you were a landowner. The pigeons would feed on corn belonging to the local gentry.

View a map of the area