Pictures of Ely Cathedral

a Cathedral in the town of Ely, in the county of Cambridgeshire

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About Ely Cathedral

Sitting majestically above the River Ouse, Ely cathedral presents an awesome sight with its towers sweeping 217 feet towards an illuminated sky. The cathedral quite probably started as a monastery founded by St. Etherelda, in the year 673, but this has long since gone, and the cathedral we see today dates from 1083. It has stood in its lonely, isolated, almost inaccessible island position until the Fen's were drained during the early 17th and 18th-centuries, when access for worshipper's became easier.

Ely cathedral is a glorious historical treasure chest, it's Norman nave is 208 feet long; it's roof which was painted in the 19th-century by noted artists le Strange and Perry, is elaborately beautiful, and in the South transept there is a magnificent painted ceiling.

In the 13th-century the choir was rebuilt to provide a more worthy setting for the shrine to St.Etherelda, founder of the original monastery. Here visitors see beautifully carved choir stall's, and a line of delicately pointed arches leading up to the lierne vaulting in the roof, this defines the cathedral's eastern extension.

The Norman crossing tower collapsed early in the 14th-century; it was replaced by a larger, more 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 perhaps the Cathedrals most characteristic feature.

The Lady Chapel was added to the North transept in the 14th-century, this provides a place of rare beauty for quiet prayer and reflection.

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, all are well preserved and show carving of an exceptional quality. These doorways are amongst the finest examples of Norman church architecture to be found in England. At the east end of the cathedral, there are two very mutilated chantry chapels, both show good carving. One chapel is dedicated to Bishop Alcock who died in 1501, the other commemorates Bishop West, and shows Early Renaissance motifs.

Other impressive buildings surround this great cathedral, these include the Porta - a gatehouse from the 14th-century.

Within this serene place there are many ancient church treasures and relics from the past. It is a vibrant living cathedral, with a magical atmosphere that constantly fascinates and is not easily forgotten
Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near Ely Cathedral.

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

Recommended attractions near Ely Cathedral

Oliver Cromwell's House	(0.5 miles, 0.8 km)	Pictures
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Houghton Mill	(17.1 miles, 27.5 km, direction W)	Pictures

All attractions in Cambridgeshire
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Recommended towns near Ely Cathedral

Ely, a Historic City in the county of Cambridgeshire (0.6 miles, 0.9 km)
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.
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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 (8.5 miles, 13.7 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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Reach, in the county of Cambridgeshire (8.8 miles, 14.2 km, direction S)
Owing to Stone-Age flints and other relics found in the surrounding countryside, Reach lays claim to being the district's oldest settlement.
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Mildenhall, in the county of Suffolk (10.9 miles, 17.5 km, direction E)
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Fen Ditton, a Picturesque Village in the county of Cambridgeshire (13.0 miles, 20.9 km, direction S)
This pleasant village can be found in the spacious countryside within easy driving distance from Cambridge.
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March, in the county of Cambridgeshire (13.1 miles, 21.1 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 (14.5 miles, 23.4 km, direction SW)
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, in the county of Cambridgeshire (15.0 miles, 24.1 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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Dalham, in the county of Suffolk (15.9 miles, 25.5 km, direction SE)
The village is surrounded by rolling countryside through which there are delightful walks.
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Nearby travel help

Ely Station	(0.9 miles, 1.5 km)
Littleport Station	(5.3 miles, 8.6 km, direction N)
Cambridge Airport	(13.9 miles, 22.3 km, direction S)
M11 Junction 14	(14.3 miles, 23.0 km, direction SW)
M11 Junction 13	(15.0 miles, 24.2 km, direction SW)
London Stansted Airport	(35.6 miles, 57.2 km, direction S)
Ely Cathedral to London	(63.8 miles, 102.6 km, direction S)

Accommodation & Hotels near Ely Cathedral

Hotel Name
The Lamb Hotel	(0.3 miles, 0.5 km)
Nyton Hotel	(0.5 miles, 0.8 km)
Bird In Hand Motel	(9.0 miles, 14.5 km, direction E)
Worlington Hall Hotel	(10.3 miles, 16.5 km, direction SE)
Rosery Country House Hotel	(10.3 miles, 16.6 km, direction SE)
The Riverside Hotel	(10.9 miles, 17.5 km, direction E)
Black Horse Motel	(10.9 miles, 17.6 km, direction S)
Cadogan Hotel	(11.8 miles, 19.0 km, direction SE)
Bedford Lodge Hotel, Leisure & Restaurant	(11.9 miles, 19.1 km, direction SE)
Best Western Heath Court Hotel	(12.1 miles, 19.5 km, direction SE)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts