Dovecote • Ely

This Grade I listed dovecote forms part of the St John's Farm complex, which sits on the site of the former Hospital of St John the Baptist and St Mary Magdelene.

Once two separate hospitals, institutions established to care for the infirm poor, St John's and St Mary Magdelene were merged in around 1251. This farm is thought to be built on the site of St Mary Magdelene, which was first mentioned in 1225. 

The buildings here today, including the dovecote, date from the 17th century, though are thought to contain reused materials from the 13th century. 

Although Grade I listed, they appear to be in relatively poor condition at the time of writing, with visible damage to masonry and roof on both the main farmhouse and outbuildings. 

In 1975 my grandfather visited, while researching for his book 'Dovecotes of Cambridgeshire' and noted then it was also in poor condition. The dovecote had 700+ pigeon holes and at that time also seemed to have a lean-to up against it.

The site today is very well shrouded in trees and not visible from the road. It sits on private property. However, what is visible from the road is a large barn which was also part of the complex. 

This building contains early 13th century materials and could have started life as one of the original hospital buildings, before finding other uses after the religious foundation fell to the Dissolution of the Monasteries. This building is also Grade I listed.

A more in depth account of the site and the other building in the complex can be found on the Historic England website HERE 

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