Things to do in Ely
Explore Ely Cathedral
Ely Cathedral is only a short walk from Ely station and lies nestled in the midst of this beautiful riverside city. Ely, with its medieval architecture and parkland, is one of the UK’s smallest Cathedral cities making it is easy to explore this gem on foot. Make sure to enjoy the museums, art galleries, antique emporiums, riverside pubs and tea rooms that Ely offers on a day out.
Highly regarded by historians and architects from all over the world for its beauty and size, Ely Cathedral is widely acknowledged as ‘one of the wonders of the Medieval world’. The present building dates from 1081 and is a remarkable example of both Romanesque and Norman architecture, and features a unique Octagon Tower and the magnificent Lady Chapel. Did you know that Ely has the third longest nave of any UK Cathedral, and the only museum dedicated to stained glass in the UK? You are welcome to participate in the guided ground floor tours, or why not take the tour up in one of Ely’s famous towers?
Wicken Fen Nature Reserve
Wicken Fen is one of Europe’s most important wetlands and the most species rich area of the UK, with over 9000 species of plants, animals, birds and insects. From just 2 acres in 1899, the nature reserve has grown to almost 2000 acres in 2019 under the National Trust’s care, and is the Trust’s oldest nature reserve. This means more space for its wildlife to flourish, and big skies and wide-open spaces for everyone to enjoy on your day out by train.