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 

///freely.airless.telephone

GRID REF:TL 53528 80198

Benchmark • St Mary's Church, Ely

Benchmark NW Buttress N Face

20.537m

St Mary's Church, Ely

///occur.nags.wobbles

GRID REF : TL 53821 80247

 

St Mary's Church and Site of the Sextry Barn • Ely

St Mary's Church is largely 13th and 14th Century. It is Grade I listed. 

To the west of the church, and situated behind Oliver Cromwell House, used to stand the Sextry Barn. It was once one of the largest medieval tithe barns in Europe and measured over 200ft in length. Historically, it was used to collect and store the corn tithes due to Ely Cathedral. Sadly, it was demolished in 1842

 ///senior.cattle.irritated

GRID REF: TL 53839 80259

Silver Street • Ely

 The cottages that make up 7, 9, and 11 Silver Street were once just a single dwelling. Dated to the 15th Century, recently wall paintings have been discovered inside, which may prove to be earlier. 

In the 1980s and 90s the cottages were reputed to be one of the most haunted placed in Ely. A spirit was seen to pass through the dividing wall between the cottages, possibly where doorways once were, or echoing times when this was an open space with a central fireplace. 

The sounds of someone crying has also been heard from the upper floors, but it is not known if this is the same ghost that moves around downstairs. 

The cottages are Grade II listed, and a detailed amount of information is available online if you want to see the wall paintings.

///baseless.bootleg.marinated

GRID REF: TL 53862 80110

The Old Fire Engine House • Ely

The mid 18th century house has been a successful restaurant since 1968. In the early 1900s this is where the city's horse drawn fire engine was kept, and from where the restaurant gets its name. It is Grade II listed.

///pink.loses.armrests

GRID REF: TL 53864 80305

Russian Cannon • Ely

 

Russian cannon on Palace Green, Ely

The cannon was captured during the Crimean war, after the siege of Sevastopol in 1855. It was presented to the people of Ely by Queen Victoria, to mark the formation of the Ely Rifle Volunteers in 1860.

///salutes.from.wager

GRID REF:TL 53934 80292