This may appear to be just a quiet little cul-de-sac near Holborn Circus. But not many people know that this street is not actually part of London. Once you enter the gates, you are actually in Cambridgeshire and exempt from the jurisdiction of the rest of the capital.

Even the Metropolitan Police have no right to entry, unless they are invited in by the Commissioners of Ely Place, the street's own elected governing body, which was formed after a local Act of Parliament in 1842. Ely Place was bought by the Bishop of Ely as a London residence suitable to their rank after a snub in the 13th century.

The Commissioners of Ely Place still employ several beadles, (a ceremonial officer of a church, college or similar institution) who make sure that the street gates are closed to cars and bicycles after 10pm. The beadles also keep the place clean.

St Etheldreda's Church, the oldest Roman Catholic church in Britain, and one of only two buildings in London that survive from the reign of Edward I. 

There was a wedding dinner going on inside when we were there so we have to go back to see the inside. The glimpse from the door looked magical though! It's where King Henry VIII feasted for three days following his marriage to Catherine of Aragon

Until 1968, the beadles would announce time and weather on an hourly basis from 7am until 10pm, but this practice was stopped after complaints about the noise they were making.

I love learning these things about our city.

*Excerpts from 'A Curious Guide to London' by Simon Leyland*