27. Dove House

A manor at Deanshanger is mentioned in the Forest Perambulation of 1299. Although this does not necessarily establish the existence of a manorial building, it is deduced that a house existed in the 14th century on the site of Dove House (Farm). Reportedly once called 'Duffus' meaning Food Hall, the house was thought to have been a monastery that was visited by Thomas á Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury (1162-1170), who also stayed at Dagnall Farm (located about half a mile out of the village on the left-hand side of the Wicken Road), then called Dragon's Hold. Legend has it that an underground tunnel connected both buildings providing an escape route. During his stay, the Archbishop was asked to bless the water at Bears Watering, which was thought to be poisoned. The site which was "Bears Watering" is on the A5 and is now occupied by Hobby Fish.

In the 17th century, Sir Ralph Winwood, Privy Counsellor and principal secretary to King James I, bought the Manor and it may have been he who replaced the earlier manor house with the present cruciform building known today as Dove House. However, over the years, its 'Manor' status was forgotten and the will of Winwood's successor, William Carpenter describes it as a 'farmhouse' whose lands were worked by his family for the next 200 years.

In a recent survey by Paul Woodfield in 2004, Paul states: "The building survey strongly suggests that Dovehouse is a new building erected in the early decades of the 17th century as a 'standinge' or hunting box. The evidence lies in the large upper floor windows, the processional stair to get there, and the lack of partitioning on the ground floor". A 'standinge' or hunting box was used for witnesses, including the ladies of the manor, to view the deer being corralled and slaughtered for their meat.