A HISTORIC building once owned by the family of painter John Constable has gone into the care of the National Trust.

Built in the 18th century, the Granary has now joined other iconic buildings in the heart of Constable’s Flatford that will be looked after by the conservation charity.

Flatford Mill, Valley Farm, Bridge Cottage and Hay Barn are already National Trust places, together with Willy Lott’s House, which famously features in Constable’s The Hay Wain.

Once owned by John Constable’s father, Golding Constable, the Granary was originally a wool store, before being converted to store grain and flour.

It caught the imagination of John Constable himself, who created a pencil sketch of it in 1813.

By the turn of the 20th century, milling at Flatford ceased and the Granary was left to fall into disrepair, before being converted into a private home in the Seventies.

In more recent times, it has been used as a private home, a museum and a holiday destination.

The National Trust is set to developing plans for how to tell the story of the Granary, as well as how to ensure it can become a place for visitors to explore.

Jonathan Rhodes, property operations manager for the trust, said: “We’re keen to hear from and work with others on developing the the Granary.”