A HISTORIC pub which is believed to be one of the UK’s oldest is set to go to auction.
The Mill of the Black Monks, on Grange Lane, was built by and for the Cluniac monks in roughly 1150 to service the adjacent Monk Bretton Priory.
Henry VIII sent the famous Thomas Cromwell to take control of the priory, accompanied by William Blythman who bought it and lived there.
It was also owned by the sixth Earl of Shrewsbury, who was gaoler of Mary Queen of Scots, and married to the famous Bess of Hardwick.
It was restored by award-winning local architect Malcolm Lister - who recently died - in the 1980s and still has many original architectural features.
It’s currently operating as a pub and restaurant and the building’s sale - which has a guide price of £300,000 - will not impact the business.
Adrian Little, director and auctioneer at BTG Eddisons Property Auctions, said: “It’s really well-located and its amazing heritage and trading history mean that we expect to see significant interest when it comes to auction.”
Bidding opens on July 27 and closes the following day.
