Oliver Cromwell's House Ely dating from the 13th Century
Ely Cathedral
Ely Real Ale Pubs
The Nave with 12 panels on the Ceiling inside Ely Cathedral
Wicken Fen near ElyThe historic city of Ely is a Cambridgeshire Fenland gem with central icon the magnificent mostly Norman Ely Cathedral, nicknamed 'Ship of the Fens' as this great Fenland ship is visible from miles around across the flat Fen landscape. Historic buildings from medieval Monastic buildings and a rare surviving Oliver Cromwell home to the 13th century old gaol are numerous. Many of the exquisite 4 star Ely B&B guesthouses and charming hotels are housed within character historic buildings.
Ely is a Cambridgeshire hotspot for fine restaurants, character real ale inns and award winning tearooms. Britain's smallest city also boasts a spectacular waterfront on the River Great Ouse which forms part of the extensive Cambridgeshire Waterways network.
Oliver Cromwell lived in Ely for 10 years and his house, the only surviving Cromwell home apart from Hampton Court Palace, is home to Ely Tourist Information Centre. Visitors can tour the interior of Oliver Cromwell's House in Ely which features a kitchen, The Portrait Room with a video on Cromwell and the Civil War Exhibition.
The 'Haunted Bedroom' in Oliver Cromwell's House, thought to be haunted, reveals the story of Cromwell's death. The museum is interactive and visitors are encouraged to handle exhibits. Original 13th century doorways and a 15th century window feature within the house. Joint great value tickets are available for entrance to both Oliver Cromwell's House and the Ely Museum. Visitors exit via the Ely Tourist Information Centre on the ground floor where you can pick up a variety of Ely and local leaflets, guides and book guided tours.
Ely boasts a beautiful waterfront on the River Great Ouse and Fenland River Cruises offer frequent 30 minute river boat tours at weekends from April to September and daily during school holidays.
Along the riverside at Ely you'll find a choice of exquisite award winning tearooms and riverside real ale pubs and restaurants. The riverside is delightful walking territory with attractions including Jubilee Gardens and Bandstand, an art gallery, a historic Quay House and a converted Maltings Restaurant and Conference Centre. Maltings are distinctively shaped grain and barley storage barns found across East Anglia. The Maltings in Ely was formally a brewery.
Cathedral Marina in Ely near Jubilee Gardens on the River Great Ouse is a popular gateway on to the Cambridgeshire Waterways and boating holidays in the Fens. Narrowboat cruising is particularly popular on the Cambridgeshire waterways with companies such as Fox Narrowboats based in March offering narrowboat hire (weblink right). The Fens Waterways Link (weblink right) is also opening up new possibilities for waterways holidays and links the Cambridgeshire Fens to Lincolnshire Fens. Find out more on The Fens Waterways Link website.
The Cambridgeshire Waterways, incorporating the River Great Ouse, River Cam, River Nene and tributaries are extensive with Marinas situated at numerous locations including Ely, March, Cambridge, Denver, St Ives, Peterborough and Huntingdon. The Great Ouse network has four navigable tributaries. Popular crusing from Ely is the run to March and back (about 18 hours roundtrip) which takes in the famous Denver Sluice and pretty villages like Littleborough. Narrowboat cruising from Ely to Cambridge is also popular with some of the best views of the Fens visible from the water. Find Fens boating holidays and boat hire listed here on iknow East Anglia.
Ely is a real Cambridgeshire gem for award winning tearooms, stylish restaurants with alfresco balconies affording views of Ely Cathedral and a host of historic character real ale pubs. Acclaimed chefs can be found in Ely restaurants and food is locally sourced from the rich produce of the Fens.
Find a host of chic restaurants, charming pubs and cafes in Ely centre and along the Ely Waterfront. Popular dining options including the award winning Peacock's tearoom, fine traditional real ale pubs like The Cutter Inn on the riverside and best restaurants like The Maltings, The Old Fire Engine House, The Almonry and The Boat House. Ely also contains a great choice of tandoori and Asian restaurants and hosts a farmers' Market on the 2nd and 4th Saturday each month.
Ely offers a wealth of historic attractions and things to do and makes the perfect base from which to explore the Cambridgeshire Fens. The Fen Rivers Way (50 miles) follows the path of the Great Ouse north to King's Lynn and south following the River Cam to Cambridge. Pick up maps and guides for the Fen Rivers Way at Ely Tourist Information Centre.
The historic city of Ely is especially popular with tourist visitors coming the view the great 'Ship of the Fens' Ely Cathedral, one of the most spectacular examples of Norman architecture in Britain visible for miles around in the uniquely flat Fenland landscape. Ely Cathedral's great Nave with its 12 panel ceiling is utterley breathtaking, one of England's most beautiful interiors, and the intricate carvings and medieval paintings within astound. For more information check out our tourism guide to Ely Cathedral.
There are a number of smaller towns villages around Ely with their own tourist attractions and special events. One of the highlights of the area's social calendar is held in nearby Witcham Village, home to the annual World Pea Shooting Championships each July! Witcham is also home to award-winning pub The White Horse where you can enjoy traditional home cooked food and locally brewed ales. There are a number of other inns and B&Bs around the village offering accommodation for weary travellers.
Other historic buildings in Ely include the 15th Century Bishop's Palace alongside Palace Green. Visit the 13th Century Bishop's Gaol in Ely on Market Street, now the Ely Museum at the Old Gaol. Ely Museum explores in-depth the history of the Isle of Ely and The Fens from the prehistoric period to the present. A film detailing the story of life in the Fens features as part of the museum alongside information on what life was like in the Bishop's Gaol from 1679 to 1836. Numourous Roman and Saxon finds are also on display at the Ely Museum.
Accommodation in Ely includes some stunning luxury old English Inns alongside beautiful cosy B&B Ely Guesthouses. Many guesthouses, inns and B&Bs in Ely are housed within character historic buildings and include 4 star riverside inns and old school house B&Bs. Find historic B&Bs in Ely listed here on iknow East Anglia. You'll also find an outstanding choice of beautiful B&Bs near Ely in the surrounding Fenland as well as camping and caravan sites.
Ely is incredibly well connected to the wider Cambridgeshire area. Fast trains from Ely station to Cambridge and King's Lynn run regularly (National Express East Anglia). As a quieter base from which to explore Cambridge and the Fens as well as Ely Cathedral, Ely is the perfect choice with its many chic restaurants, fine pubs and fast train links to Cambridge. The Cambridgeshire Waterways also link Ely direct to Cambridge and Fenland March.
City centre parking in Ely is free and includes ample long stay parking.
