Barges at the bottom of the Three Blackbirds yard.

The Three Blackbirds Public House, 23 Broad Street, Ely

History of the Three Blackbirds

Listed Building

A house of the C15 constructed of timber framing with later brickwork, mostly rendered and painted. … the surviving interior is of interest most notably for the timber-framing and panelled screen of the street-front room, as well as a significant proportion of a crown-post roof

The photo shows barges being unloaded at Fear’s Rod Yard at the bottom of the Three Blackbirds’ yard. Bundles of osiers were brought by barges to make baskets.

The Three Blackbirds (see Audrey Denton’s Broad Street Ely, 1991) ceased to be licensed in 1933 and the building was divided into three parts for private occupation. Mrs Nunn and her husband had the back part nearest the river. The whole area that later became Jubilee Terrace was the Nunns’ garden.

Mrs Nunn’s married daughter lived in the middle section of the Blackbirds, and then some years later their daughter lived in the front section, the old public house. The whole building later fell into disrepair and was acquired by the Ely Preservation Trust who restored it.