Ely Visitor Guide

Cathedral City of the Fens

England's second smallest city, Ely in Fenland Cambridgeshire can easily be explored on foot.

Top attraction is the Cathedral. Known locally as "The Ship of the Fens", it also houses the Stained Glass Museum showcasing over 100 stained glass panels dating back to the early 13th Century.

The former jail, Ely Museum is the go-to place for local history. Nearby Prickwillow Engine Museum tells of the drainage of the local fenland and of the people and machines which worked the area.

Republic statesman Oliver Cromwell lived in Ely for a decade. His house is open to experience life as it was in 17th century and to find out more about the English Civil War. Gather a group to work together and challenge Ely's Escape Room, located in Oliver Cromwell's House.

For a more relaxing experience, take a 30-minute river cruise along the Great Ouse aboard the Liberty Belle.

Further afield, explore the open fenlands. 11 miles south of Ely, visit the 1300 acre WWT Welney Wetland Centre, home to year-round resident and migratory birds, waterfowl and wildlife. Slightly closer, explore the National Trust Wicken Fen Nature Reserve.