The 18th century dovecote, cowhouse and garden were part of the home farm of Moseley Hall estate, belonging first to the Grevis and then the Taylor families. Discover how much work was involved in feeding the owners in the big house. In 1767 John Taylor, manufacturer and banker, bought Moseley Hall estate to add to his property portfolio. Discover why wealthy people who owned dovecotes had them built at the edge of their properties, and the role that the brown rat and the French Revolution played in the closure of dovecotes. Gain an insight into Moseley’s rural past when all the land west of the turnpike road to Alcester belonged to one family. As Birmingham grew, the Taylors sold the land street by street. Victorian and Edwardian families moved up the hill to enjoy clean air and fresh water. Chocolate maker Richard Cadbury moved his family to Moseley Hall before having Uffculme built and moving them there. He gave the Hall to the City of Birmingham to become a convalescent home for sick and malnourished children. The clean air, fresh water and the milk from the herd of cows milked at the home farm helped the children recover and grow. The garden has been developed using plants available in the 18th century. The herb garden with its lavender border is at its best in September.

As part of your visit, children (and adults) will have a chance to have a go at milking a cow (a lookalike, not a real one) or join artist Faith Pearson to make milk maid bonnets or clay farm animals or a farm animal mask.

You can also visit Moseley Hall icehouse in Moseley Park, a short walk from the dovecote and open at the same time.

How to get there:
The dovecote is by the entrance to Moseley Hall Hospital, opposite King David School and between Moseley and Kings Heath. Moseley is served by the 50, 35 and 1/41 bus services. Blue Badge parking is available in the Hospital car park.

Organised by The Moseley Society