For 150 years, Hurrells Butchers stood proudly at 26 High Street in Burwell — dishing out sausages, Sunday joints, and a healthy dose of local gossip. When it closed its doors in 2022, it marked the end of an era. While it may have held some fond memories for many, for this vegetarian architect, let’s just say the slaughter rooms were not exactly my happy place!
Hurrells wasn’t just a butcher — it was part of a truly local food system. Cattle were walked in from the surrounding fields. You literally knew where your meat came from (sometimes by name, which … we try not to dwell on). Now we import shrink-wrapped mystery meat from five continents. Progress? Hmm.
On a positive note, we’re thrilled to be giving the site a whole new lease of life— one that involves a lot more bricks and a lot less brisket!
The original clunch-fronted butcher’s shop and house on the High Street is undergoing a respectful and thoughtful renovation into a beautiful single-family home — and it’s already sold!
Behind it, two new detached homes are being built to make the most of the site’s level differences between the High Street and Mill Lane.
We’re particularly pleased to have preserved the views of St Mary’s Church from Mill Lane, and the curved corner is shaping up (quite literally) to be one of our favourite features.
From abattoir to abodes — it’s amazing what a bit of design, planning, and a whole lot of imagination can do!
We look forward to sharing completed photos in due course.
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