The Best of Ely Tour: Sightseeing from Ely Cathedral to River Great Ouse

Travel 900 years into the past with me on a walking tour through Ely, the heart of the Fens, a local term to describe the unique marshland in this National Character Area. I’ll show you the city’s highlights, including the independent cafes, restaurants, and shops that make it a favourite day out for Cambridgeshire locals.

Our tour starts outside The Maltings, a landmark Victorian brewery overlooking the River Great Ouse. You’ll then cut through Jubilee Gardens and Cherry Hill Park to the ancient Ely Cathedral, where you’ll hear how a near-disaster at this magnificent building became a medieval engineering triumph. I’ll point out the oldest building in the city, Priory House, before you go through the original porta (gate) to explore more of the city. I’ll also show you Oliver Cromwell’s house and tell you about his links to the city on our way back to the river, where our tour ends.

Along the way, you’ll see the Ely Museum, home to archeological finds that date back to Viking times, Ely Castle Mound, and Ely War Memorial. While you walk, you’ll find out why Ely is known as the ‘ship of the Fens’. I’ll also share a few stories about people who lived and worked here over the centuries, and some local know-how on the best way to trade live eels!

On this 45-minute tour, you’ll have a chance to:

• See ancient pottery shards reworked into modern art
• Learn how the city survived both World Wars without significant damage
• Be captivated by several views of Ely Cathedral from various angles
• Hear about the ‘Gentleman Adventurers,’ a group of wealthy landowners in 1630s who set out to transform the Fens into farmlands
• Try local delicacies at Ely Market or some of the independent cafes mentioned en route, including The Prince Albert, and Peacocks Tearoom
• Walk the same road used by pilgrims for hundreds of years
• Take in the spectacular architecture of this historic city

Join me on this walk through the heart of historical Ely, and get a taste of all the city has to offer.