Ely

The small town of Ely is one of the smallest towns in England and can best be described as 'quaint'. The downtown has many historic buildings which are well taken preserved and contain many small shops. You'll want to wear your most comfortable shoes as Ely is best seen on foot, and it is best enjoyed by strolling leisurely from one place to another.

The least expensive way to see all the sights of Ely is to purchase the 'Passport to Ely' for £11.00 which admits you to the Ely Cathedral, the Stained Glass Museum, Oliver Cromwell's House and the Ely Museum.

The Ely Cathedral was founded in 673 by Etheldreda, a Saxon Princess, and is known as 'the ship of the Fens' due to its prominent shape that towers around the surrounding landscape. A 'Fen' is similiar to a swamp, and when the Cathedral was built, the entire area was a swampland. In the morning, when you look through the mist, the Cathedral indeed looks like a ship floating on a sea of fog.

The present Cathedral building was started in 1083 after the first church had been sacked by the Normans. As with all old churches, the building was continually being added on and rebuilt over the centuaries. The most notable architectural feature is the Lantern, a wooden roof with stained glass in the middle of it. It is the only Gothic dome in existance.

You'll also want to visit the Stained Glass Museum inside the Cathedral. The museum houses some of the oldest stained glass in existence and gives an interesting history of how it became to be the art form it is today. You'll definately want to pick up some souvenirs at the Stained Glass Museum's gift shop on your way out.

Oliver Cromwell lived in Ely in the early 1600's and was a British military leader, politician, Puritan and rabble rouser. Oliver probably wasn't a well liked man of his day: he convinced his fellow Puritans of the period to destroy many of the statues in the Ely Cathedral 'lady chapel', and his day job was as a tax collector in town. His house in now the office to the tourist information center and has been preserved with furnishings of the period. Tour guides dress in period garb, so you really get a taste of what it was like to live during his time. Audio visual displays provide insight to his life and career, as well as some interesting history of the town of Ely. You can also go on a Ghost Walk of Ely after hours for a few quid.

The Ely Museum is a local museum in the centre of town. It has a information about Ely from the prehistory through the twentieth centuary. You'll get to see original prison cells, Roman remains and an entire display about catching eels - a staple in the diet of Ely. There is also a hands on display of fossils from the area. The museum is open from 10:30 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon.

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See a Map of Ely