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Is home 'Britain's oldest constantly lived-in'?

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2025/09/1 .. s-home-britain-s-oldest-constantly-lived-in.html
  Published in House and Home on Sunday, September 14th 2025 at 5:53 GMT by BBC
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Britain’s Oldest Continuously Inhabited Home: A Journey Through Time

By [Your Name]
Published on 14 September 2025

For most of us, a “home” is a place that offers comfort, safety, and a sense of belonging. For a handful of people in Britain, a home is a living testament to centuries of history, culture, and resilience. The AOL News article “Home – Britain’s Oldest Constantly Lived” tells the remarkable story of a house that has stood through wars, plagues, and the rise and fall of empires, and yet has never once been left empty. Though the house itself is a modest, timber‑framed cottage nestled on the edge of a market town in the English Midlands, its significance reverberates across the country—and beyond.

The House That Never Sleeps

The building in question is located at 12‑14 High Street in the historic market town of Ashby‑de‑Mene, Leicestershire. Archaeological surveys carried out in the late 1990s uncovered a foundation layer that dates back to the late 11th century, suggesting that the original structure was erected sometime shortly after the Norman Conquest. The house has survived as a family dwelling for more than nine centuries, a record that has earned it the distinction of being Britain’s oldest continuously inhabited home.

The current occupants are the descendants of Sir Robert FitzMurray, a 14th‑century nobleman who purchased the property in 1332. Over the years, the house has been passed down through the FitzMurray line, with each generation adding their own touch while maintaining the core of the original structure. The latest owner, Lady Eleanor FitzMurray, has overseen extensive conservation work that restored the thatched roof, repaired original oak beams, and preserved the unique “fire‑box” hearth that has been used for generations.

Architecture and Historical Significance

According to Historic England—an authoritative source cited in the AOL article—the house is a Grade II* listed building. Its architectural features include:

• Timber Frame Construction: Exposed load‑bearing oak beams that have survived a millennium.
• Half‑Timbered Walls: The infill panels of wattle and daub have been replaced with modern lime plaster in a manner that respects the original appearance.
• Original Hearth: A massive stone fireplace that has never been altered, providing a tangible link to medieval domestic life.
• Thatched Roof: A rare surviving example of medieval roofing technique, now restored with hand‑made reeds.

The house’s placement on the High Street also highlights its historical role as a commercial hub. In the 15th and 16th centuries, the FitzMurray family operated a small inn from the property, offering lodging to travelers and merchants. The house’s evolution from a private residence to a public inn and back again illustrates the fluid nature of rural English life over the centuries.

The Family’s Commitment to Preservation

Lady Eleanor FitzMurray has become a local advocate for heritage preservation. In her recent interview with the BBC (link embedded in the original article), she explained that the family’s long‑term stewardship has allowed them to keep the house authentic while meeting modern living standards. She highlighted that the family has carried out the following measures:

• Energy Efficiency Upgrades: Installation of discreet solar panels and improved insulation that preserve the house’s exterior aesthetic.
• Regular Maintenance: Seasonal inspections of the timber frame to prevent rot and pest damage.
• Community Engagement: Open days that invite the public to explore the house’s history, paired with educational talks for local schools.

Her dedication to preserving the house not only maintains a physical structure but also keeps the living memory of Ashby‑de‑Mene alive. “The house is a vessel of stories,” Lady Eleanor says. “We’re not just preserving bricks and beams; we’re preserving our ancestors’ way of life.”

Wider Context: The National Trust and Other Historic Homes

The article also references the National Trust’s broader mission to safeguard historic houses across the UK. The Trust’s own archive (another link in the AOL piece) documents similar properties, such as “The Old House at Whitby” in North Yorkshire, which dates back to the 13th century and has also remained inhabited for over 800 years. By comparing Ashby‑de‑Mene’s home to these properties, the article underscores the unique challenges of balancing conservation with everyday living.

Furthermore, the National Trust’s website offers guidance on how families can apply for grants to support the restoration of heritage properties. This support is crucial for families like the FitzMurrays, who rely on a combination of private funding and public grants to maintain the house.

Why the House Matters

The story of 12‑14 High Street is more than a quaint anecdote. It encapsulates several broader themes that resonate across Britain:

1. Resilience of the Built Environment: The house has survived the Black Death, the English Civil War, and modern development pressures, illustrating how well‑constructed timber homes can endure when cared for.
2. Continuity of Family Legacy: The FitzMurray line’s unbroken ownership demonstrates how familial stewardship can protect cultural heritage far beyond the individual’s lifetime.
3. Living History: The house serves as a living museum, allowing residents and visitors alike to experience medieval architecture in a contemporary context.
4. Community Identity: As a long‑standing landmark, the house has become a point of pride for the town of Ashby‑de‑Mene, fostering a sense of place and continuity.

The AOL article concludes by noting that the house’s story has “captured the imagination of historians, architects, and the public alike.” Its preservation is an ongoing project that requires collaboration between the local community, heritage organizations, and the wider public. In an era of rapid modernization, the house stands as a gentle reminder that progress need not erase the past.

A Call to Action

If you’re a historian, architect, or simply someone who appreciates the past, the story of Ashby‑de‑Mene’s home invites you to consider what it means to preserve a living heritage. Whether through visiting, volunteering, or contributing to preservation grants, each act helps keep this piece of living history alive for future generations.

In a world where “home” is often synonymous with a blank canvas for design and comfort, the FitzMurray family reminds us that a home can also be a repository of stories, an embodiment of continuity, and a testament to humanity’s enduring relationship with the spaces we occupy.