Pictures of Ely

a Historic City in the county of Cambridgeshire

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About Ely

The early life of Ely began with a monastry and town situated on an island in the midst of a vast expanse of marshland in the middle of the Fens; today, the great Cathedral of Ely rises majestically above the surrounding countryside, the now-drained Fen. This glorious house of God was probably founded by St.Etherelda in the year 673 with the present building dating from 1083.

Ely Cathedral is a glorious historical treasure chest. The majestic Norman nave is 208ft long; it's roof, painted in the 19th-century by Artists le Strange and Perry is elaborately beautiful, the South transept also has a magnificent painted roof. In the 13th-century the choir was rebuilt to provide a more worthy setting for the shrine to St.Etherelda and the beautiful Lady Chapel was added to the North transept in the 14th-century. The Norman crossing tower collapsed early in the 14th-century; it was replaced by a larger, elaborate octagonal tower surmounted by a timber vault carrying an octagonal lantern. Unique in the history of medieval English church architecture, this crossing tower is the Cathedrals most characteristic feature. The exterior decoration to the north wall of the nave displays fine 12th century carving. Of the cloister, now destroyed, there remains three 12th-century doorways with carving of exceptional quality and state of preservation, these are thought to be among the finest examples of surviving Norman architecture. There are two very mutilated chantry chapels to the east end of the Cathedral, both show fine carving; one is dedicated to Bishop Alcock d.1501 and the other to Bishop West d.1534 which has early Renaissance motifs.

Of the other great cathedral buildings, the Porta is a 14th-century gate-house and the main entrance to the Benedictine priory, and the 13th-century St.Mary's Church. There is a magical atmoshere surrounding this beautiful cathedral, it is constanly fascinating, it has a serenity and a rare beauty that will not be easily forgotten.

Ely has an illustrious history, and it is here that Hereward the Wake held out against William the Conqueror, King Canute is said to have been here and Oliver Cromwell lived here from 1636 to 1647 - the house is open to the public. The town has several attractive Georgian properties and excellent examples of early timber-frame buildings. One of England's oldest schools, King.s School, was founded in AD970. Edward the Confessor entered the school in 1010, he presented the town with a charter on his ascension to the throne.

Ely is a lively City that offeres visitors a wide cultural experience. There is a museum that records much of the history of Ely and the Fens, there are excellent shopping and recreational facilities and even a little yacht harbour which is not surprising as Ely is situated on the banks of the lovely River Ouse. The city is amid flat but quite enchanting scenery that is scattered with several picturesque villages that are an absolute joy. This is a city not to be missed, not least for it's wonderful cathedral whose towers, reaching 217ft skywards, have dominated Ely for centuries. It is a place from which you will take many memories.

Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Ely

Oliver Cromwell's House	(0.2 miles, 0.3 km)	Pictures
Ely Cathedral	(0.6 miles, 0.9 km)	Pictures
Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve	(6.0 miles, 9.7 km, direction S)	Pictures
Denny Abbey	(7.2 miles, 11.7 km, direction S)	Pictures
Anglesey Abbey	(10.9 miles, 17.6 km, direction S)	Pictures
Newmarket Racecourse	(12.2 miles, 19.6 km, direction S)	Pictures
The Fitzwilliam Museum	(14.7 miles, 23.7 km, direction S)	Pictures
University Botanic Gardens	(15.0 miles, 24.1 km, direction S)	Pictures
Ramsey Abbey Gatehouse	(15.1 miles, 24.3 km, direction W)	Pictures
Cambridge American Military Cemetery & Memorial	(15.3 miles, 24.6 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Brandon Country Park	(15.4 miles, 24.8 km, direction E)	Pictures
Houghton Mill	(16.5 miles, 26.5 km, direction W)	Pictures
Wandlebury Country Park	(16.5 miles, 26.6 km, direction S)	Pictures
Wandlebury Ring	(16.7 miles, 26.9 km, direction S)	Pictures
West Stow Country Park	(16.9 miles, 27.3 km, direction E)	Pictures

All attractions in Ely
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Recommended towns near Ely

Wicken, in the county of Cambridgeshire (6.1 miles, 9.8 km, direction S)
The open countryside surrounding Wicken is rich and varied, windmills can be seen along with pretty cottages, ancient farmhouses and historic churches.
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Welney, in the county of Norfolk (8.6 miles, 13.9 km, direction N)
For many decades now, Welney has been famous for it's Wild Fowl Refuge overlooking the Flood Planes of the Wash.
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Mildenhall, in the county of Suffolk (11.4 miles, 18.3 km, direction E)
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Newmarket, a Historic Market Town in the county of Suffolk (12.3 miles, 19.8 km, direction SE)
You can hardly drive through this handsome town without seeing some reminder that the history of the town
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Fen Ditton, a Picturesque Village in the county of Cambridgeshire (12.7 miles, 20.4 km, direction S)
This pleasant village can be found in the spacious countryside within easy driving distance from Cambridge.
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March, a Historic Market Town in the county of Cambridgeshire (12.9 miles, 20.7 km, direction NW)
A curiosity of the town is the tradition of the March, March march. This is when a group of Cambridge students gather in the town to walk back to Cambridge stopping at all convenient inns to quench their thirst!
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Cambridge, a Historic City in the county of Cambridgeshire (14.2 miles, 22.8 km, direction S)
Cambridge has an abundance of magnificent buildings, and these together with riverside walks, wonderful museums and quaint old streets, quickly draw the visitor under the spell of this historic and charming City
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St Ives, a Historic Market Town in the county of Cambridgeshire (14.4 miles, 23.2 km, direction W)
This attractive market town has one of the most highly picturesque river bridges in the country. The bridge dates to the 15th century and is famous for the chapel in its centre bay, it is one of only four medieval bridge chapel's surviving in England.
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Downham Market, a Historic Market Town in the county of Norfolk (15.6 miles, 25.1 km, direction N)
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Dalham, in the county of Suffolk (16.1 miles, 26.0 km, direction SE)
The village is surrounded by rolling countryside through which there are delightful walks.
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Grantchester, a Picturesque Village in the county of Cambridgeshire (16.2 miles, 26.1 km, direction SW)
The village of Grantchester, is a picturesque village along the river Cam, often enjoyed by tourists and students who travel to...
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Trumpington, in the county of Cambridgeshire (16.4 miles, 26.5 km, direction S)
Beautifully situated in a wonderful area, yet close to the M11 is Trumpington.
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Great Bradley, in the county of Suffolk (18.8 miles, 30.2 km, direction SE)
This is a spacious, well spread out village occupying a rural landscape between the Suffolk town's of Newmarket and Haverhill.
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Wisbech, a Historic Market Town in the county of Cambridgeshire (19.2 miles, 30.8 km, direction N)
Wisbech stands on the River Nene, almost 12 miles from the sea, at one time it was closer but changing river patterns over the...
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Whittlesey, a Historic Market Town in the county of Cambridgeshire (19.7 miles, 31.7 km, direction NW)
Whittlesey is an old area of Cambridge, it is mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086.
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All towns in Cambridgeshire
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Nearby travel help

Ely Station	(0.9 miles, 1.4 km)
Littleport Station	(5.7 miles, 9.2 km, direction NE)
Cambridge Airport	(13.6 miles, 21.8 km, direction S)
M11 Junction 14	(13.8 miles, 22.3 km, direction SW)
M11 Junction 13	(14.6 miles, 23.5 km, direction SW)
London Stansted Airport	(35.4 miles, 57.0 km, direction S)
Ely to London	(63.5 miles, 102.1 km, direction S)

Hotels & Accommodation in Ely

Hotel Name	Approximate distance from Ely center
Nyton Hotel	(0.1 miles, 0.2 km)
The Lamb Hotel	(0.4 miles, 0.7 km)
Bird In Hand Motel	(9.5 miles, 15.3 km, direction E)
Rosery Country House Hotel	(10.4 miles, 16.8 km, direction SE)
Worlington Hall Hotel	(10.7 miles, 17.2 km, direction E)
Black Horse Motel	(10.8 miles, 17.4 km, direction S)
The Riverside Hotel	(11.3 miles, 18.3 km, direction E)
Cadogan Hotel	(12.0 miles, 19.3 km, direction SE)
Bedford Lodge Hotel, Leisure & Restaurant	(12.1 miles, 19.4 km, direction SE)
Best Western Heath Court Hotel	(12.3 miles, 19.8 km, direction SE)
All hotels in Ely