The dovecote is a Grade II listed building and Scheduled Ancient Monument. It was built in 1656 and predates the original 19th century hall and is more contemporary with the 17th century Tithe Barn that is situated near by. The current hall is shown in the bottom photograph.

It was built with nesting holes for pigeons, valued for the meat of their young, manure for fertiliser and feathers for bedding. Young pigeons, or squabs, were taken from their nest holes before they learnt to fly, supplying the household with a tender and easily obtained food source during the nesting season (mainly Spring and early Autumn). Dovecotes, symbolic of this luxurious delicacy, demonstrated financial and social prosperity and were generally built in prominent locations. The Dovecote would have been visible to the Old House to the north east, but the evolution of the landscape (the House relocation, new parkland and gardens) has increased the Dovecote’s prominence and significance in this setting, becoming the focal point of the new Hall’s south facing vista.

Changes in cultural attitude in the 19th century meant that many dovecotes were demolished or converted for alternative uses. Hodnet Hall Dovecote had a floor constructed at mid-height; the top half still used for pigeons, but the ground floor converted for holding cattle, with hay mangers installed and lower nest holes bricked up. The north entrance, a small doorway that could be squeezed through and blocked when entering to search for squabs, was replaced by the larger south opening and the brick floor was installed.*

*From a signboard next to the Dovecote