Ely: A perfect Cambridge Day Trip

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One of the main benefits of lockdown has been exploring places closer to home here in the UK. The cathedral city of Ely lies 30 minutes from Cambridge by car (or 20 minutes by train) and is a great day trip destination.

Ely (derived from the name the ‘isle of eels’) was founded on swamp like terrain which has to be expertly drained and managed to this day. The historic Fenland city is made famous by its Cathedral which is the only one of the Seven Medieval Wonders of the World. The last thing you expect in such a small city is a mighty cathedral, but it’s definitely the highlight of any visit.


  1. Contents
  2. How to get to Ely
  3. Things to Do in Ely
    1. The Cathedral
    2. Oliver Cromwell’s House
    3. The Market Square and High Street
    4. The Riverside and Jubilee Gardens
    5. Eating and drinking in local restaurants and bars
  4. Other Important Information

  • From Cambridge – take the train from Cambridge Station in the direction of King’s Lynn, getting off at Ely. The journey takes 18 minutes.
  • From London – take the train direct from King’s Cross to Ely in 1hr05 minutes. Ely is the last stop on the line.
  • By Car – Driving to Ely is also simple, with ample parking. I recommend parking in Forehill Car Park as a great location.
Lovely Ely


This epic cathedral was built in 1083. Built by the Benedictine monks when there was only a small settlement in the area, the scale of the Cathedral was to glorify God, not to reflect the size of the local population. It definitely feels a little bit too big for its location but it’s an absolutely beautiful building and the focal point of a visit to the city. There is also a lovely tea room, The Almonry, at the Cathedral so you can combine history with cake – perfect!

Beautiful!

Oliver Cromwell – a name which still divides opinion over 350 years after his death. Cromwell is an important figure in British history; during the English Civil War he stood against King Charles I (on the grounds of both the way he was ruling, and the religious reforms he was making favouring Catholicism). Eventually Charles was beheaded and England had no monarch – Oliver Cromwell became Lord Protector – King in all but name. Only 20 years prior he had been a struggling farmer. There aren’t many stories like his in the history of England.

Cromwell died less than a decade on, and Charles’ son, Charles II became King. He hunted down those who were responsible for his Father’s death and even the dead weren’t spared. Cromwell was dug up, hanged and beheaded – his head stuck on a spike for all to see.

Cromwell lived at a house in Ely for over 10 years and here you can learn about the man himself, visit a kitchen to learn about 17th century cooking (and try it!) and even do a Civil War themed escape room.

Outside Cromwell’s House

Since COVID hit, I’ve been ever more conscious of shopping and supporting local businesses. Hitting the high street might be something that in 10 years time, no-one does – but I think that would be a huge loss. Places like Ely would be really hit if the high street were to collapse – this shopping area of the city is full of buildings with character, and it’s home to many independent shops as well. My personal favourites are Toppings book store, The Ely Fudge Company and The Eel Catcher’s Daughter – a lovely little gift shop.

The river Ouse runs through Ely, and along the water’s edge are a few pubs and restaurants to grab a drink and watch the world go by. You can also take a boat trip with Liberty Belle up and down the river, which is a lovely way to see the surrounding countryside.

At the riverside

After disembarking the boat, there is a nice park area by the riverside – Jubilee Gardens. Opened in 2002 to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s golden jubilee, the gardens link the waterfront to the city centre. There are lots of nice paths, picnic areas and flower beds. Of course, the best day of the year to visit is the prestigious Eel Day where the World Eel Throwing Competition (who knew that was a thing?!) is held in the park!

There are also some lovely places to eat in Ely, but my two personal favourites are The Old Fire Engine House and Poet’s House. The Old Fire Engine House is a place for special occasions and it really does feel like you’re walking in to someone’s house. Seating is limited so book ahead as the food is delicious. Poet’s House is a great spot for afternoon tea, dinner or drinks and also offers really lovely rooms to stay in if you’re wanting to spend the night in Ely.


Final shot of the city


Thanks for reading – let me know in the comments below if you’ve ever been to Ely or are planning a trip to the UK soon. And as always – stay safe and happy travelling!

22 responses to “Ely: A perfect Cambridge Day Trip”

  1. Agreed, Ely is a lovely place to visit but the price to visit the cathedral was a bit of a shock 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes £20 is absolutely extortionate!!! I really wanted to go in as my grandpa is a vicar and studied at theological college in Ely; but once has to be enough at that price! Have a super weekend 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Thanks – you too!

        Like

  2. Thank you for showing what’s interesting to see outside of London, which monopolizes too much attention. England is an old country with a rich history, it’s always exciting to link the past with what’s left in the present and to understand where it comes from.

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    1. Thank you so much for your lovely comment – lockdown has definitely been a blessing to explore more of ‘home’. And it’s great to showcase it for people who may only think to visit London as like you say – England is a really history filled and interesting place to visit in more depth than just its capital. Have a lovely weekend 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Never heard of Ely, but your photos of it are stunning! Especially love the quaint, half-timbered houses and the bookstore’s interior. I find it amusing that there’s an eel-throwing contest in town, but I guess it makes sense for its namesake! Thanks for sharing this lovely gem of a place!

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    1. Ah thank you. Yes it was definitely a lovely surprise to discover the buildings and quaint little bookshops, and I love the thought of an eel throwing contest – the whole area was founded on swamp land and eels have been part and parcel of the city’s history for centuries. Have a lovely weekend 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Zoe

    I live in Ely and I just love it. Your post was really interesting even though I live here. There are guided tours around Ely that can be booked at Oliver Cromwell’s House.

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    1. Oh thanks so much Zoe – it’s the ultimate compliment when someone local says that a post is interesting so thank you! Ahh I didnt know that, I will have to book on to one next time I visit. Have a great Saturday 🙂

      Like

  5. I love visiting new places in the UK. Ely looks like its definitely worth a visit if I’m in the area! Thanks for sharing 😊

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  6. […] Ely is my favourite town in Cambridgeshire. It lies in the east of the county and is well worth a day of your time exploring. This part of Cambridgeshire is known as ‘The Fens’ which means it was once effectively swamp. Ely is the centre of the Fens and is home to an amazing cathedral, pretty parks, the home of Oliver Cromwell, and yet more river walks. You can read my full post on visiting Ely here. […]

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  7. […] the stars of the show in Cambridgeshire are undoubtedly cities like Cambridge and Ely which are some of the most picturesque places in the country let alone locally, there are also some […]

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  8. […] Ely is an often underrated place in the UK. It’s home to a magnificent cathedral, and lots of history as the home to Oliver Cromwell. There’s lots to see and do here, which well warrants a relaxed day trip. You can get the train, or drive between Cambridge and Ely in less than 30 minutes. You can read my full post on Ely here. […]

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  9. Ely looks like a lovely place to visit! Another hidden gem that’s worth exploring!

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    1. Its definitely a hidden gem and such a beautiful place 😊

      Liked by 1 person

  10. […] walks, wildlife spotting and fresh air and makes for the perfect day trip from Cambridge, Norwich, Ely or anywhere in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk or […]

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  11. […] take a day trip to Ely (post HERE) on the train, a city famous for its cathedral on the Fens. The Fens are an area across East Anglia […]

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  12. […] most famous Fen city is Ely, one of the most beautiful cities in the country – though I’m biased. Peterborough is […]

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  13. […] take a day trip to Ely (post HERE) on the train, a city famous for its cathedral on the Fens. The Fens are an area across East Anglia […]

    Like

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About the author

Hi! My name is Hannah, I’m a travel blogger from the UK who fits travel around a full time (and full on) job. In this blog I share my adventures around the world and hopefully help you to find some inspiration for destinations, things to do or places to stay. Thanks for stopping by – stay safe and happy travelling.

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