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

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

Holy Trinity • Haddenham

 

Holy Trinity Church, Haddenham

Grade I listed. Originally dating from the 13th century, it was restored substantially in 1876, and much of the exterior decoration is Victorian.

It appears very squat comparison to the length, and this is because it originally had a further section and spire. These became unsafe and were demolished, ready for restoration. Unfortunately, according to local legend, the funds raised for the rebuild of the spire were stolen. The thief fled to the Americas, and the spire and top section were never rebuilt. 

Another legend states that the bells are mismatched. One was said to have been made partially with pewter, allegedly from melted plates and mugs from local pubs! 

///slack.restrict.conspired

GRID REF: TL 46383 75652