With a population of only 15,000, Ely is the third smallest city in England – but its historic buildings and peaceful riverside prove that size isn’t everything. Ely is also an ideal base for exploring the Fens, and it’s close to Cambridge too.
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City sights
- Ely Cathedral, towering dramatically over of the Fens and housing a stained glass museum
- Oliver Cromwell’s House, the former residence of the Lord Protector and now the tourist information office
- Ely Museum, in the old gaol – focusing on the history of Ely and the Fens
Events and activities
- Ely markets – including a farmers’ market on every second and fourth Saturday of the month
- A ghost tour, led by the author of Haunted Ely
- An evening boat ride at Wicken Fen
- The well established Ely Folk Festival
- The World Pea Shooting Championships in Witcham Village
Further afield
- The market town of Newmarket – the birthplace of thoroughbred horseracing
- Cambridge, home of Cambridge University (around 15 minutes on the train from Ely)
Ely facts
The name ‘Ely’ is said to mean ‘isle of eels’: the city was on an island until the Fens were drained in the 17th and 18th centuries, and eels were a staple part of the local diet. They are still caught today in the River Great Ouse.
A walking tour through the city called the Ely Eel Trail is a good way to find out more about the city’s heritage.
Getting there
Ely is the closest city to Cambridge and also has direct rail connections to Norwich (60 minutes) and London Kings Cross (75 minutes).
Ely calendar
This mini-calendar shows events taking place in and around Ely. For events at cathedral cities across the UK, please see our main Cathedral City Calendar.
Using an iPhone? Please hold your phone horizontally for the best results with our calendar.
Useful links
- Visit Ely
- Ely on Google Maps
- Photos of Ely on Flickr
- Ely hotels with Booking.com
- Ely restaurants with Restaurant-Guide.com
- Twitter list for Ely by Cathedral City Guide
Got Ely stories, photos, or recommendations you want to share?
Email us at info@cathedralcityguide.co.uk or use the comment form below.
