A 13th-century former hayloft in Ely – once part of the Bishop’s Palace – comes with a string of quirky legal bans, including rules that it must never be used as a brothel, funfair or pet shop.
The Grade I listed property, known as The Gallery, was originally built from stone that had fallen during the construction of Ely Cathedral and was used for centuries as the stables and hayloft serving the bishop’s residence.
In 2015, it was sold by the Church Commissioners and converted into a striking four-bedroom private home, which is now on the market with Cheffins with a price tag of £1.35million.
As part of the original sale, a series of restrictive covenants were written into the title that strictly limit how the historic building, which is just 150 metres from the cathedral, can be used.
The legal wording bars it from being turned into a “brothel or sex establishment”, a funfair or amusement arcade, a scrapyard, a pet shop, a base for the sale of guns, or a venue for gambling.
Despite the dry language, the list paints an almost surreal picture of the activities that are firmly off the table for any future owner of the medieval building.
Inside, the old hayloft now serves as a dramatic music room, with a collection of guitars hanging from the ceiling to create a showpiece space where bales of hay once sat.
The conversion includes a retro 1950s English Rose kitchen, acquired by the owners’ father. These iconic kitchen units were produced by English Rose using post-war surplus materials, the same materials used in the construction of Spitfire aircraft.
English Rose kitchens have appeared in productions such as the Doctor Who Christmas special and Call the Midwife.
The result is an unusual blend of deep ecclesiastical history and modern character – a home rooted in the Middle Ages, but one where the biggest dilemmas for a new owner may be more about how to arrange their instruments than whether they can open a funfair or start selling pets.
Would you buy it? It certainly has a prime location, let us know what you think in the comments.
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