EastCambs

Ely

The “Ship of the Fens”: a small cathedral city on a former island in the fen, with a busy riverside and markets.

Ely Cathedral rising above the trees and fields to the south-east of the city
Ely Cathedral from Quanea Drove. Photo: Verbcatcher, CC BY-SA 4.0

The cathedral city

About Ely

Ely sits on a low hill of clay that was once an island in the undrained fen – the “Isle of Ely”. St Etheldreda founded an abbey here in 673, and the Norman cathedral that replaced it still dominates the skyline for miles around, earning it the nickname “the Ship of the Fens”.

Beyond the cathedral, Ely is a compact, walkable city. Explore the medieval streets around the Market Place, Oliver Cromwell’s House by St Mary’s Church, the green expanse of Cherry Hill Park, and the Waterside, where pubs, tea rooms and moored boats line the Great Ouse.

Visit Ely tourist information City of Ely Council ElyTrainStation.co.uk New homes in North Ely

Ely at a glance

  • Main sights: Ely Cathedral, the Stained Glass Museum, Oliver Cromwell’s House, Ely Museum
  • Markets on Thursdays and Saturdays, with smaller markets on other days
  • Riverside walks along the Great Ouse towards Littleport and Stretham
  • Direct trains to Cambridge, London, Norwich and Peterborough

What’s on in Ely

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Things to do in Ely

  • Ely Cathedral

    One of England’s finest cathedrals, with its unique Octagon, painted nave ceiling and guided tower tours.

    Ely city centre

  • The Stained Glass Museum

    The only museum in Britain dedicated to stained glass, displayed high in the cathedral’s south triforium. Reached by a spiral staircase.

    Inside Ely Cathedral

  • Oliver Cromwell’s House

    The Lord Protector’s family home, brought to life with period rooms and an audio tour.

    St Mary’s Street, Ely

  • Ely Museum

    The story of the Isle of Ely from fossils and the Romans to Hereward the Wake, housed in the city’s old gaol.

    Market Street, Ely

  • Black Prince Holidays, Ely

    Self-drive narrowboat holidays and short breaks on the Great Ouse and Cam.

    Bridge Road, Ely

  • Ely Rowing Club

    A friendly club on the Great Ouse offering rowing for all ages and recreational boat hire.

    Ely riverside

  • The Maltings, Ely

    A converted 19th-century riverside maltings, now a venue for concerts, comedy, shows and community events, run by the City of Ely Council.

    Ship Lane, Ely

  • Ely Community Cinema

    A volunteer-run, not-for-profit cinema screening new releases and classics at The Maltings.

    The Maltings, Ely

  • Ely Eel Festival

    A celebration of Ely’s eel heritage around the early May bank holiday, with a parade, food and music. Details are published by Visit Ely.

  • Ely Folk Festival

    A friendly weekend of folk music, ceilidhs, dance and camping, held each July just outside the city.

  • Ely Fireworks

    A community fireworks display in Cherry Hill Park in early November, with food stalls and fairground rides. Soham Town Rangers also hosts a family fireworks night.

  • Ely speciality markets

    Farmers’ markets, seasonal fairs and late-night summer markets throughout the year.

  • Babylon Gallery

    Contemporary art gallery run by Babylon Arts in a riverside building on Ely’s Waterside.

    Waterside, Ely

  • Cineworld Ely

    Multiplex cinema showing the latest films.

    Downham Road, Ely

  • Bridge Boatyard

    Boat hire on the Great Ouse at Ely.

    Bridge Road, Ely

  • Liberty Belle cruises

    Guided narrowboat trips on the river from Ely. Trip times are on its Facebook page.

    Ely riverside

  • Roswell Pits

    Lakes and reedbeds in old clay pits beside the Great Ouse, a short walk from Ely’s riverside, with paths and birdwatching.

    Edge of Ely, off Kiln Lane

  • Ely Cathedral peregrines

    Peregrine falcons nest on the cathedral. Look up from the city, or follow them on the cathedral’s live webcam.

    Ely Cathedral

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Clubs and societies in Ely

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Community in Ely

  • City of Ely Council

    Ely’s city council, which runs The Maltings and local amenities in the city.

  • Citizens Advice Rural Cambs

    Free, confidential advice on benefits, debt, housing, employment and more, with an office in Ely and phone and online support.

  • Ely Foodbank

    Emergency food and support for local people in crisis, with distribution centres in Ely, Soham, Burwell, Haddenham and nearby towns.

  • Hereward Community Rail Partnership

    Local people working with the railway to improve stations and promote travel on the line between Peterborough and Ely.

  • Spotted in Ely

    Volunteer-run community news, events and job listings for Ely and the surrounding villages.

  • The Elyi Magazine

    Free community magazine delivered to homes in Ely, with a club finder and local business listings.

  • Ely Museum

    An independent museum and charity telling the story of the Isle of Ely, with events and volunteering opportunities.

  • Ely Community Cinema

    A volunteer-led, not-for-profit cinema at The Maltings.

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Local businesses in Ely

  • Poets House

    A boutique hotel in a historic building a short walk from Ely Cathedral.

    Central Ely

  • More places to stay on Visit Ely

    The official visitor guide lists hotels, B&Bs, cottages and campsites across the district.

    Across East Cambridgeshire

  • Topping & Company Booksellers

    A much-loved independent bookshop with floor-to-ceiling shelves, author events and free tea and coffee for browsers.

    High Street, Ely

  • Waterside Antiques Centre

    One of the largest antiques centres in East Anglia, with dozens of dealers under one roof by the river.

    The Waterside, Ely

  • Odyssey Games

    Board games, trading cards, role-playing games and jigsaw puzzles.

    High Street, Ely

  • Nina Alice Blooms

    Modern, sustainably designed flowers for every occasion.

    Ely

  • The Old Fire Engine House

    A long-established restaurant and art gallery near the cathedral, serving traditional English food made with local produce.

    St Mary’s Street, Ely

  • Blended Monkey Studios

    Small-group and one-to-one workshops in woodturning, pottery, stone carving and other crafts.

    Ely area

  • Ely Clay Collective

    Friendly, inclusive pottery workshops.

    Ely

  • Ely On Par

    Golf driving range open to everyone, whatever your handicap.

    Ely

  • Riforma

    Reformer Pilates studio within Atrium Fitness, open to non-members, with small classes for beginners and experienced movers.

    Ely

  • Ely Work Collective

    Co-working space with hot desks, meeting rooms and a studio, close to the station.

    St Thomas Place, Ely

  • Trade at Ely Markets

    Information for anyone interested in taking a stall at one of Ely’s regular or speciality markets.

  • Black Prince Holidays, Ely

    Stay afloat: narrowboat holidays and short breaks on the Fenland waterways.

    Bridge Road, Ely

  • The Hideaway Gaming Cafe

    Café with a library of board games to play.

  • Ben’s Yard

    Rural shopping village just outside Ely with independent shops, a restaurant and café, a children’s play area and wildflower walks.

    Stuntney, about 2 miles from Ely

  • City Cycle Centre

    Long-standing shop selling bicycles, toys, models, crafts and haberdashery.

  • The Eel Catcher’s Daughter

    Boutique gift shop.

  • Ely Fudge Company

    Fudge and sweets shop.

  • Cherry Hill Chocolates

    Chocolate shop.

  • Grain Culture

    Bakery.

  • Bent and Cornwell

    Butcher’s shop. Opening times are on its Facebook page.

  • Ely Aquatics & Reptiles

    Supplies for aquariums and reptiles, with holiday boarding for reptiles.

  • Miniature Kingdoms

    Wargames shop with models, rule books, paints and modelling supplies.

  • A Little Something

    Jewellery and gift shop, with its latest stock on Instagram.

  • Peacocks Tearoom

    Traditional English tearoom by the river, with rooms upstairs.

    Waterside, Ely

  • The Yard

    Restaurant and bar with outdoor seating in the style of a European “ruin bar”.

  • Ely Turkish Restaurant and Meze Bar

    Turkish food and meze.

  • Arbuckles

    American-style diner and steakhouse.

  • Marmalade & Jam

    Tearoom and café. Its listing and reviews are on Tripadvisor.

  • Urban Fresh

    South American food.

  • The Prince Albert

    Pub serving food. News is on its Facebook page.

  • The Cutter Inn

    Riverside pub serving food, with views over the Great Ouse. News is on its Facebook page.

    Annesdale, Ely

  • The Almonry

    Restaurant in the grounds of Ely Cathedral serving light meals and afternoon tea. Details are on the cathedral’s website.

    Ely Cathedral

  • Eat Thai

    Thai restaurant.

  • The Royal Standard

    Pub near the Market Place with food, including seafood, and rooms.

  • Sushi & Salad

    Japanese food.

  • Le Spice

    Indian restaurant.

  • The Old Hall

    Luxury countryside hotel just outside Ely.

    Stuntney, near Ely

  • Peacocks B&B

    Rooms above the Peacocks tearoom on Ely’s riverside.

    Waterside, Ely

  • The High Flyer

    Pub with rooms in central Ely. Rooms can be booked through Booking.com.

    Newnham Street, Ely

  • Riverside Inn Guest House

    Guest house beside the river, a short walk from the city centre. Rooms can be booked through Booking.com.

  • The Lamb Hotel

    Traditional inn dating from the 15th century, close to the cathedral.

    Lynn Road, Ely

  • The Old Warehouse

    Six holiday flats in a converted warehouse in central Ely.

  • City Studios

    Three holiday flats on Fore Hill.

    Fore Hill, Ely

  • Hatters Meadows

    Camping and glamping just outside Ely.

  • Holidays With My Dogs

    Dog-friendly cabins with secure gardens and fenced fields for dog walking.

    About 4.5 miles from Ely

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Nearby places