Pictures of Ely

a Historic City in the county of Cambridgeshire

Take a picture tour of Ely

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.

Add town to favourites

Submit a history of Ely

Recommended towns & villages near Ely

	Welney For many decades now, Welney has been famous for it's Wild Fowl Refuge overlooking the Flood Planes of the Wash... Information \| Pictures (6) \| Hotels
	Mildenhall .. Information \| Pictures (5) \| Hotels
	Cambridge 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.. Information \| Pictures (204) \| Hotels
	Dalham The village is surrounded by rolling countryside through which there are delightful walks... Information \| Pictures (22) \| Hotels
	Cockley Cley Cockley Cley is famous for its beautiful reconstruction of a village once lived in by the Iceni tribe at the time of Queen Boudicca... Information \| Pictures (10) \| Hotels

All towns in Cambridgeshire
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Recommended attractions near Ely

	Oliver Cromwell's House Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658) was Lord Protector of England from 1653 until 1658. For the years spanning 1636 to 1647 Cromwell and..... Information \| Pictures (4) \| Hotels
	Ely Cathedral Sitting majestically above the River Ouse, Ely cathedral presents an awesome sight with its towers sweeping 217 feet towards an..... Information \| Pictures (84) \| Hotels
	Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve One of Britain's oldest nature reserves, and the last 0.1% of fenland left in Britain. Home to the Wicken Fen Vision project...... Information \| Hotels
	Anglesey Abbey This attractive house was formerly a priory of Augustinian canons, founded around 1135. It's name does not relate to the island..... Information \| Pictures (44) \| Hotels
	Newmarket Racecourse .. Information \| Pictures (4) \| Hotels

All attractions in Ely
All attractions in Cambridgeshire
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Hotels & Accommodation in Ely

	Nyton Hotel 7 Barton Road, Ely, Cambridgeshire, England (0.1 miles, 0.2 km) Quiet family hotel, situated in residential road just off the a10. Only 10 minutes walk from the Cathederal and City Centre. The railway station is just a 15 minute walk. The Nyton is situated in ... More info and book online.. Price from £55.00
	The Lamb Hotel 2 Lynn Rd, Ely, Cambridgeshire, England (0.4 miles, 0.7 km) In the shadow of Ely Cathedral, The Lamb Hotel dates back to the 15th century. It boasts comfortable, en-suite bedrooms, excellent and varied cuisine, traditional beers and a fine wine list. The hot... More info and book online.. Price from £40.00
	Bird In Hand Motel The Street, Beck Row, Suffolk, England (9.5 miles, 15.3 km, direction E) The Bird in Hand was built in 1935, shortly after neighbouring Mildenhall Air Base opened. The Bird in Hand is a popular local community pub, offering rooms in the chalet block at the rear of the buil... More info and book online.. Price from £39.00
	Rosery Country House Hotel 15 Church Street, Exning, Newmarket, Suffolk, England (10.4 miles, 16.8 km, direction SE) The Rosery Country House Hotel is set in the picturesque village of Exning. A traditionally family run hotel offering friendly personal service and good quality restaurant food and fine wines. The H... More info and book online.. Price from £70.00
	Worlington Hall Hotel Mildenhall Rd, Worlington, Suffolk, England (10.7 miles, 17.2 km, direction E) Worlington Hall is an elegant 16th century former Manor House set in five acres of gardens with protected trees and fishing rights on the River Lark. The original house was built in 1570. The Worli... More info and book online.. Price from £69.00

More Ely hotels...

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)