Ely

Travel Guide
Ely Cathedral showing heritage architecture, a church or cathedral and heritage elements
Ely
Ely which includes a house and heritage architecture
Ely which includes a house
Ely featuring heritage architecture and a house
One of the top attractions in the Fens, this little market town is mostly known for its stunning cathedral.

Ely is a compact town comprised of medieval streets and surrounded by quaint countryside. Admire its impressive cathedral, go for a walk along the charming riverside footpath or browse the traditional shops that line its main thoroughfare.

Ely takes its name from the eels that once lived in the undrained fens surrounding the town. Until the 18th century, Ely was a true island, encircled by dangerous marshlands that were difficult to cross. Visit Wicken Fen, a nature reserve found 9 miles (14.5 kilometers) south of town, to see what the undrained fenlands once looked like. This important wetland is home to more than 8,500 species, including Konik ponies, hen harriers and numerous types of dragonflies.

Don’t miss the town’s most famous attraction, the 11th-century Ely Cathedral. The imposing cathedral’s gorgeous Gothic octagon took nearly 20 years to build. This domed stained-glass skylight is considered to be a masterpiece of medieval engineering.

Near the entrance of the cathedral is the Stained Glass Museum, where you can inspect a beautiful collection of glasswork dating between the 13th century and the present day. To the north of the church, check out the charming shops and Georgian houses lining Ely’s High Street.

Explore Oliver Cromwell’s House, a half-timbered residence where the controversial military and political leader lived with his family in the 17th century. The interior has been decorated with period furnishings, as well as exhibitions and displays dedicated to its infamous former occupant.

Take a look inside the interesting little Ely Museum, which traces the history of the Isle of Ely and the Fens from prehistory through the 20th century. You’ll see displays of original prehistoric tools, Anglo Saxon jewelry and Roman pottery. The museum’s other exhibitions focus on the formation of the Fens, as well as old-fashioned trades like eel fishing and leatherwork.

Ely is easily visited as a day trip from Cambridge. Ride an express train or stagecoach bus from Cambridge. Trains for Ely also depart regularly from London's King’s Cross Station.

Lamb Hotel by Greene King Inns
Lamb Hotel by Greene King Inns
3 out of 5
2 Lynn Road, Ely, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is €97 per night from 24 Nov to 25 Nov
€97
includes taxes & fees
24 Nov - 25 Nov
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Ely. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
8/10 Very Good! (513 reviews)
"Our room was great, and the restaurant at the hotel was excellent. Ely Cathedral was mere steps away. Our biggest challenge was the small, tight parking lot at the hotel."

Reviewed on 4 Nov 2024

Lamb Hotel by Greene King Inns
Riverside Inn
Riverside Inn
3 out of 5
8 Annesdale, Ely, England
The price is €106 per night from 24 Nov to 25 Nov
€106
includes taxes & fees
24 Nov - 25 Nov
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Ely. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Jubilee Gardens and Waterside Antiques Centre ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (185 reviews)
Excellent room and service but faulty TV and WiFi.
"Very friendly staff, spotless room, luxurious bed, tasty breakfast, great facilities. Just a shame that the very basic TV could barely hold a signal and became unwatchable, and the WiFi wasn't working (after logging in, there was no internet available)."

Reviewed on 18 Oct 2024

Riverside Inn
ibis Cambridge Central Station
ibis Cambridge Central Station
3 out of 5
2 Station Square, Cambridge, England
The price is €101 per night from 16 Dec to 17 Dec
€101
includes taxes & fees
16 Dec - 17 Dec
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Cambridge. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,010 reviews)
Fab hotel
"We used park and ride but didn’t realise how far out of town you were so it was a bit expensive for taxis to places. However we loved the hotel and welcoming vibe. Also good value for money."

Reviewed on 17 Nov 2024

ibis Cambridge Central Station
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Narrowboat Puzzle
Narrowboat Puzzle
3 out of 5
1 Annesdale, Ely, England
Stay at this 3-star houseboat in Ely. Enjoy free parking and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Jubilee Gardens and Waterside Antiques Centre are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (24 reviews)
"Great stay on a lovely, clean, comfortable, well equipped narrow boat. Plenty to see in Ely, all attractions within a short walk and good longer walks in the surrounding countryside. Very helpful host offered suggestions for local restaurants and a comprehensive tour of the boat"

Reviewed on 1 Oct 2024

Narrowboat Puzzle
Unique Cambridgeshire 3 bedroom home full of Character
Unique Cambridgeshire 3 bedroom home full of Character
Cambridgeshire
Stay at this vacation home in Ely. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and balconies. Popular attractions Babylon Gallery and Ted Coney's Family Portraits are located ...
8/10 Very Good! (3 reviews)
Great suprise
"Lovely property, everything that we needed. The house is huge, facilities great...I would definitely stay again. I would like to point out, bedroom two is separated from the room by a curtain, it wasn't a problem. I love the garden made me feel home from home, it a place to relax. Communication was ..."

Reviewed on 8 Jan 2024

Unique Cambridgeshire 3 bedroom home full of Character
Turing Locke Cambridge
Turing Locke Cambridge
4 out of 5
47 Eddington Ave, Cambridge, England
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Cambridge. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9/10 Wonderful! (348 reviews)
Worth a visit
"Fabulous as always. We’ll return!"

Reviewed on 11 Nov 2024

Turing Locke Cambridge
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Ely

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
33
" "5 - Excellent 56%
4 - Good
23
" "4 - Good 39%
3 - Okay
2
" "3 - Okay 3%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

A lovely, quaint and welcoming place to visit, with lots of pubs, bars and restaurants, and so close to many interesting places

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Thoroughly enjoyed tour and tower tour

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

I was working...so didn't see much....great meal in the Prince Abert Pub

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Very nice people and very clean facilities excellent

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

great Antique centre by the river

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Typical market town, not a lot to see unless it’s market day.