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Ely ( / ˈiːli / ⓘ EE-lee) is a cathedral city and civil parish in the East Cambridgeshire district of Cambridgeshire, England, about 14 miles (23 km) north-northeast of Cambridge, 24 miles (39 km) south east of Peterborough and 80 miles (130 km) from London.
2 days ago · Discover Ely, a historic city with a cathedral, a riverside and a vibrant food scene. Find out where to stay, what to do, where to eat and more on the official tourism website of Ely.
Nestling under the big skies of the Fen countryside, in the shadow of its magnificent cathedral, Ely offers a wealth of attractions and things to do. As the second smallest city in England, it is compact enough to explore on foot, but large enough to fill a full day and more.
- Ely Cathedral
- Oliver Cromwell’s House
- Stained Glass Museum
- Ely Museum
- Ely Riverside
- Jubilee Gardens
- Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve
- River Cruises
- Cherry Hill Park
- Waterside Antiques Centre
An intoxicating blend of Romanesque and Decorated Gothic Architecture, Ely’s inspiring cathedral was begun in 1080 and completed towards the end of the 14th century. This monument owes its greatest feature to a catastrophe. In 1322 while the magnificent Lady Chapel was being built, the Norman central crossing tower collapsed. The replacement was so...
One of the defining figures of English history, Oliver Cromwell, lived in Ely from 1638 to 1646. He came here after inheriting a 16th-century house, also known as St Mary’s Vicarage. Apart from Hampton Court Palace, this is the only Cromwell residence still standing. The oldest part of this half-timbered house dates right back to 1215. The property...
The UK’s only museum for stained glass can be found in the cathedral’s South Triforium Gallery. This captivating exhibition maps the history of stained glass over 800 years, shedding light on the skills involved in its production. You’ll discover the secrets and savoir-faire of this ancient craft and see how the techniques and styles changed. Some ...
The building housing Ely Museum is part historic and part modern. The older wing is a two-storey stone and brick construction that stood as the Bishop of Ely’s gaol in the 17th century. The permanent exhibition is in nine galleries, with tableaux and artefacts charting the natural formation of the Fens, as well as their human history via the Bronze...
The loveliest place in Ely to amble aimlessly, the city’s Riverside on the Great Ouse has a long path by the water. This is partly shaded by willows, and in summer an endless flow of narrowboats and pleasure yachts drifts past. As we’ll see below, there’s an antiques centre and major arts venue on the waterfront, but also lots of places to drink, d...
A pretty way to get from the Riverside to the city centre, Jubilee Gardens opened in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and has been awarded the Green Flag since 2005. Check out the striking sculpture of an eel by one of the benches. This is one of a few installations around Ely to celebrate its traditional eel catching trade. In the summ...
The 628-acre Ramsar Wetland at Wicken Fen is a rare chance to see what the region’s countryside looked like before it was drained and cultivated. This invaluable natural space, one of the most important wetlands in Europe, is mostly owned by the National Trust and is a National Nature Reserve. Out in Wicken Fen you can follow long or shorter trails...
From the beginning of March to the end of September you visit the Riverside to board the Liberty Belle for a peaceful 30-minute cruise on the River Great Ouse. These trips depart close to The Maltings, a Victorian-era brewhouse-turned-performing arts centre. On your trip you’ll get a fresh angle of the cathedral and will be able to see lots of wild...
Also known simply as Ely Park, this green space continues across Broad Street from Jubilee Gardens. Here, among the giant mature trees there are unbroken views of the cathedral. Keep an eye out for the reproduction of an eel hive (a tunnel-like implement to catch eels in the Fens). This is one of 18 stops on an Eel Trail that has been plotted by th...
A dream for collectors and bargain-hunters, the Waterside Antiques Centre is the largest antiques emporium in East Anglia. Inside this cavernous Georgian malthouse are more than 65 antiques dealers. Their stock is highly diverse, and rummaging through the stalls you’ll find traditional farm tools, porcelain, silverware, historic weapons, ephemera l...
Jun 24, 2024 · Discover the history, culture and attractions of Ely, a beautiful cathedral town in Cambridgeshire. Learn about its connection with eels, Oliver Cromwell, stained glass and ghosts.
- Jean Paschke
Things to Do in Ely, England: See Tripadvisor's 28,089 traveller reviews and photos of Ely tourist attractions. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in July. We have reviews of the best places to see in Ely. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions.
Ben Johnson. 7 min read. The ancient city of Ely occupies the largest island in the Cambridgeshire Fens. The “Isle of Ely” is so called because it was only accessible by boat until the waterlogged Fens were drained in the 17th century.
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