Če bi vam nekdo rekel, da obstaja zapor, v katerega bi se ljudje danes z veseljem preselili, bi verjetno zavili z očmi. A prav takšna zgodba prihaja s severa Anglije, kjer je v mestu Berwick-upon-Tweed naprodaj nekdanji zapor iz leta 1846. In to ne kot muzejski eksponat, ampak kot prava luksuzna hiša.
Stavba, ki je nekoč služila kot sodišče in zapor, ima za seboj precej burno zgodovino. Zadnje sodne primere so tam obravnavali leta 1890, nato pa je skozi desetletja večkrat zamenjala svojo vlogo. Najprej so jo preuredili v pisarne, leta 2023 pa je doživela še zadnjo, najbolj presenetljivo preobrazbo – iz temačnega prostora, kjer so ljudje nekoč odštevali dneve do svobode, v dom, kamor bi se danes marsikdo z veseljem zaprl.
In kaj ponuja?
Štiri spalnice, tri kopalnice, knjižnico, jedilnico in veliko kuhinjo z jedilnim kotičkom. Pritličje, kjer so nekoč potekali sodni postopki, danes služi za tehnične prostore, stranišče in celo poseben prostor za čevlje. Da, tudi čevlji imajo tu svojo sobo, kar je verjetno več, kot so imeli nekdanji zaporniki.
Poseben čar hiše je prav v tem, da ni povsem pozabila na svojo zgodovino. Nekdanje celice še vedno obstajajo, le da jih danes ne zaznamuje več mraz. Talno ogrevanje je poskrbelo, da je bivanje prijetno, medtem ko kamnita tla, visoki stropi in globoko vgrajena okna ohranjajo pridih viktorijanskega obdobja.
Tudi nekdanji hlevi za policijske konje so dobili novo življenje, danes služijo kot pokrito parkirišče, dvorišče pa je bolj primerno za druženja kot za kesanje.
Kot pravijo pri nepremičninski agenciji, gre za redko priložnost: združitev zgodovinske arhitekture in sodobnega udobja v eni nepremičnini. Cena? Slab milijon evrov za nekdanji zapor, ki bi lahko postal vaš sanjski dom.
![Story from Jam Press (Travel Cheaper Fines)Pictured: Laura, Paul, Lucy and Emily.'I'm saving Ł3,000 on EACH family holiday by taking the kids away during term-time'A mum has revealed how she's saving Ł3,000 on each family holiday by taking her kids away during term-time.It's no secret that holiday prices soar during the school holidays.According to Go Compare, the high demand for a break away with the kids during the Easter holidays saw trips rise by 9% compared to non-peak periods.And with the ongoing war between Iran and the US, causing fuel shortage scares, it's been reported that airlines are raising fares to combat jet fuel price increases.It's a never ending battle, especially as schools fine Ł80 per parent, per child for any unauthorised absences up to five days during term-time, too.But for Laura Melling, a mum-of-two, she's saving herself a fortune by going against the rules and taking her kids away as and when she pleases."It's ridiculous, they're my children – not the school's," the nurse, from Leyland, told creatorzine.com."It works out cheaper to pay the fine than school holiday prices."I don't feel guilty in the slightest."My kids are having the best experiences rather than sitting in a boring classroom."And we're saving a fortune."It's a no-brainer."Laura, 36, and her husband, Paul, 37, have shelled out over Ł500 in fines to date.But by jetting off during term-time, they're saving themselves an estimated Ł3,000 per trip.And the mum to Lucy, eight, and Emily, seven, admits that teachers aren't usually too displeased with their decision.She said: "The teachers are usually supportive and say they wish they could do it."All the parents agree with me too."A few of them have followed suit after seeing us do it."So far, they've been to Egypt, Tunisia and France.And they've never paid more than Ł1,000 to get away for a week.Earlier this year, for example, they flew to Lapland.Instead of forking out Ł700-per-person for the flights in December, they went at the start of term in January, costing just Ł40-per-head.Their car hire was Ł189, rather than Ł545 during the school holidays and their accommodation came to just Ł500 instead of Ł1,900.In total, it saved them Ł2,946.The parents will refuse to take their kids aways during important educational situations, such as during the SATs and GCSEs.But while they're young, they're making the most of freedom – and teaching them valuable lessons along the way.Laura added: "My kids are learning life skills."They learn in different ways when away, so we're not neglecting their education."They have learning apps on their iPads and workbooks to complete."I would love to [take them out of school full-time] however I don't think our balance would cope; we need to work."My children are realising the world is a big place and they are now seeing different cultures."Everyone needs a break from the mundane, so being away gives us all time to relax and enjoy each other's company without being stuck in a routine."ENDS,Image: 1095341665, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions:, Model Release: no](/media/2026/05/04/827016/Wide-profimedia-1095341665-400.webp?1777889420)