Outstanding 16th-century stone dovecote and stable building
Our gardens, parks, cafés, shops, countryside locations and many houses are open. You no longer need to pre-book at many places. Some still require booking ahead, so please check the property webpage before you travel.
Enjoy the tranquil setting of this outstanding 16th-century stone-built dovecote and stable buildings, which nestles alongside Willington church.
A nesting site for barn owls and kestrels the dovecote is a great spot for bird watching. However, we now try keep pigeons out of the dovecote's 1,500 nesting boxes. The car park, and grounds are accessible at all times
Please note: The dovecote has open afternoons days on the last Sunday of the month from April to September from 2pm to 5pm. Visits to the Dovecote & Stables are held in conjnunction with the St. Lawrences Church next door, and an opportunity to visit the church is also offered. From 3pm - 4pm on the last Sunday of the month there is an organ recital at the church which visitors are welcome to join, as well as teas/coffees/cake available and toilet facilities.
Most of our places run the Gift Aid on Entry scheme at their admission points.
Under this scheme, if you're not a member you have the choice of two entry tickets:
If the place runs Gift Aid on Entry, we'll offer you a clear choice between the Gift Aid Admission prices and the Standard Admission prices at the admission point. It's entirely up to you which ticket you choose.
Gift Aid Admission includes a 10 per cent or more voluntary donation. Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid - an extra 25 per cent - potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
An extra £1 paid under the scheme can be worth over £3 to the National Trust as shown below:
| Gift Aid | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Amount paid by visitor | £11.00 | £10.00 |
| Tax refund from Government* | £2.75 | £0.00 |
| Total received by the National Trust | £13.75 | £10.00 |
*Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid - an extra 25 per cent - potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
Prebooked guided tours are potentially available on Saturdays and Sundays, at either 1pm or 3pm - please email willingtondovecote@nationaltrust.org.uk to confirm availability and book your slot. These tours will only run if there are visitors booked on them and we have volunteers who are able to attend site - please do not turn up at the property without booking as there may not be a booked tour running that day. We have a very small volunteer base at Willington and although we will try our best to organise a tour for the times, stated above it may not always be possible. Thank you for your understanding. These tours are free for National Trust members and by donation for non-members.
