Ely

Travel Guide

Ely Cathedral featuring heritage architecture, heritage elements and a church or cathedral
Ely which includes signage
Ely featuring heritage architecture and a house
Ely showing a house
Ely which includes a house and heritage architecture
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 ¥11,446 per night from Aug 31 to Sep 1
¥11,446
¥13,735 total
Aug 31 - Sep 1
includes taxes & fees
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! (595 reviews)
A monumental cathedral
"This was a short break mainly to reacquaint ourselves with the cathedral which is only yards away from the Lamb. However we had time to spend seeing more of Ely but also to visit Bury St Edmunds and Cambridge which are easily reached by rail from Ely."

Reviewed on Aug 13, 2025

Lamb Hotel by Greene King Inns
Clayton Hotel Cambridge

Clayton Hotel Cambridge

4 out of 5
Station Rd, Cambridge, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥26,783 per night from Aug 31 to Sep 1
¥26,783
¥32,139 total
Aug 31 - Sep 1
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Cambridge. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
"Lovely hotel, very modern and clean. Good location just a short walk to the town centre. If you drive parking is expensive. Great hotel stay."

Reviewed on Aug 12, 2025

Clayton Hotel Cambridge
Hyatt Centric Cambridge

Hyatt Centric Cambridge

4 out of 5
37 Eddington Avenue, Cambridge, England
The price is ¥12,635 per night from Aug 25 to Aug 26
¥12,635
¥15,162 total
Aug 25 - Aug 26
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Cambridge. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (479 reviews)
"It was a beautiful hotel, the staff were very friendly. The rooftop terrace and pizzas offer a brilliant view and taste very very good."

Reviewed on Aug 12, 2025

Hyatt Centric 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.
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! (457 reviews)
"Very comfortable and clean room. Staff very helpful and friendly. Will certainly stay again"

Reviewed on Aug 12, 2025

Turing Locke Cambridge
Falcons Nest

Falcons Nest

3 out of 5
Falcons Nest c/o The Raptor Foundation, The Heath, Huntingdon, England
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Huntingdon. Enjoy free parking, a coffee shop/cafe, and a meeting room. Popular attractions Raptor Foundation and Pidley Park ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (702 reviews)
"Falcon's Nest is half a dozen rooms owned by the Raptor Foundation which is a centre for Birds of Prey. Each room is a bedroom with a kitchen and a shower room. The kitchen has a sink, fridge, microwave oven and toaster. There is a TV and free WiFi with internet access."

Reviewed on Aug 11, 2025

Falcons Nest
Lydney House Hotel Swaffham Sleeps 22

Lydney House Hotel Swaffham Sleeps 22

Norfolk
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Swaffham. Enjoy a garden, laundry facilities, and a pool table. Popular attractions Swaffham Museum and ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (21 reviews)
"It exceeded our expectations and served us brilliantly as an extended family celebrating my son's 50th birthday."

Reviewed on Aug 8, 2025

Lydney House Hotel Swaffham Sleeps 22
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.

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