A tiny however lovely metropolis in Cambridgeshire, England, Ely is an actual gem in the event you’re trying to escape the crowds and get a full slice of native feels.
The proper stability to the often-over touristy close by metropolis of Cambridge, Ely is a complete treasure usually outshadowed by its extra well-known neighbour.
However that doesn’t imply it ought to be missed!
With a beautiful Cathedral and well-known place in historical past, this can be a high spot to move for if you wish to get out of London for the day or discover what the east of England has to supply.
So, with all of the lowdown, right here’s my full information to visiting Ely…
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Why Go to Ely?
House to Oliver Cromwell and some of the spectacular Cathedrals in England, Ely is large on the historic ticket objects.
It’s additionally located on the river, which suggests waterside strolls and drinks are large on the menu right here too.
The city centre is small, however value a peak and there’s some beautiful cafes, eating places and pubs you possibly can get pleasure from a meal out when you’re at it.
Nevertheless, in all probability the perfect factor about Ely is its quiet, native and unassuming appeal.
For those who’ve been in Cambridge and are feeling a bit worn out by the crowds, hopping on a brief prepare journey to Ely is the right escape if you’d like a quiet dinner or someplace cheaper to remain.
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When to Go to?
There’s no query in my thoughts that the perfect time to go to Ely is throughout the summer time season, when the UK’s good climate permits you to get the nicest expertise out of your time there, particularly if you wish to absorb a few of Cambridgeshire’s superb countryside on the identical time.
How Lengthy to Spend There
One full day is sufficient to discover Ely, because the centre actually is small.
For those who’re trying to expertise a few of the surrounding actions – together with a day journey to close Cambridge, then a weekend is the right period of time to flee to this county within the east of England.
Becoming in a meal at a superb conventional pub is a good way to finish your day in Ely.
I extremely suggest The Prince Albert because it goes – they’ve a large beer backyard and the place is busy with locals – at all times a superb signal!
Learn how to Get To & Round Ely
Ely has a prepare station that’s nicely serviced from Cambridge and London by a number of direct companies.
From London, trains depart from each Liverpool Road Station and Kings Cross.
In Ely, the prepare station is positioned simply exterior the centre of town, nevertheless it’s tremendous simple to stroll into the primary hub of the motion in underneath 10-Quarter-hour.
Trains to and from London will be purchased for as little as £15 return as a part of an off-peak day return, which makes a go to to Ely tremendous reasonably priced as nicely.
I at all times suggest you e book your prepare tickets not less than just a few days upfront to get the perfect offers utilizing the superb web site Trainline.
Their split-fare know-how ensures you the perfect costs and their useful app permits you to retailer your e-tickets in your cellphone, which means you don’t should mess spherical with accumulating tickets on the station.
I additionally actually like Trainline’s journey planner function, which lets you monitor whether or not your prepare is on time and likewise lets you understand when it’s time to get able to disembark.
In any other case, you may get additionally get a coach to Ely.
Common Nationwide Categorical coaches ply the path to London and Cambridge and may also be booked utilizing Trainline – making it very easy to check coach and rail fares in addition to journey instances.
Alternatively, you possibly can simply drive to Ely, which sits simply off the A10 and takes round underneath 2 hours from London.
For those who’re trying to lease a automobile from London, I extremely suggest Thrifty Automotive Rent.
You too can take a look at these high suggestions in the event you’re trying to rent a automotive on a price range in England.
After you have arrived, you’ll uncover Ely is a really small metropolis – in reality, it’s tiny!
This solely provides to the appeal and means you possibly can simply stroll round all of it on foot, together with to the Cathedral and Oliver Cromwell’s Home.
In any other case, an area bus service operates too. It’s run by Stagecoach. You may view timetables at their web site right here.
High Issues To Do in Ely
#1 Ely Cathedral
The jewel within the Ely crown, it must be mentioned the Cathedral right here is extremely spectacular, and that’s coming from somebody whose not usually that impressed by Cathedrals!
Completely large and relationship again to 1083, the location was additionally dwelling to a former Christian place of worship that was constructed by St Etheldreda in 672 AD.
As such, historical past runs deep on this historic spot and, in Norman instances, it was certainly one of England’s most profitable Benedictine abbeys, rivalled solely by Glastonbury in Somerset.
Withstanding the turbulent instances of the dissolution and reformation in England, Ely Cathedral stays spectacular because of its dimension and architectural types.
In-built a Romantic-esque model, it additionally consists of embellished Gothic options and is most well-known for its central octagonal tower.
The West Tower dominates the panorama of town and in the event you stroll as much as the historic centre of Ely from the river, you’ll get an incredible view of the Cathedral throughout fields with grazing cows within the foreground.
You too can head contained in the Cathedral by reserving a ticket on the church’s web site right here.
The Cathedral is open 10am-4pm, Monday to Saturday, with common choir recitals you possibly can get pleasure from.
Excursions of the Octagon Tower can be found individually, as is entrance to the Stained Glass Museum, which is housed throughout the Cathedral.
#2 Oliver Cromwell’s Home
Ely’s most well-known resident, Oliver Cromwell was maybe the important thing determine within the English civil battle.
His story and rise via the ranks is fairly spectacular, so in the event you don’t know a lot about him (as I shamefully didn’t both), right here’s your likelihood to find out about this key determine and second in English historical past.
Cromwell lived in Ely for a lot of his life and his former dwelling has not too long ago been renovated with a powerful array of interactive shows and interpretations now bringing his story to life.
Dressing up, audio guides and augmented actuality video games make this an ideal attraction the entire household can get pleasure from.
Certainly, this can be a must-visit in Ely and admission costs are very reasonably priced.
You should buy these on web site.
#3 Historic Centre
The heritage centre of Ely, together with the Excessive Road, has a stunning native really feel to it and a few good spots to cease for refreshments.
There’s additionally an area market right here, which runs on a Thursday and Saturday and options plenty of native produce, in addition to the Ely Museum, which is housed in a former jailhouse.
#4 Inexperienced Areas
And eventually, there’s numerous beautiful inexperienced areas round Ely you shouldn’t miss both, particularly in the event you’ve chosen a stunning summer time’s day to go to.
The Ely Nation Park and Jubilee Gardens, are each beauties, however my high decide is the Nationwide Belief Wicken Fen Nature reserve.
Boasting a stunning view into the watery fens on this a part of the nation, there’s an ideal boardwalk you possibly can take via the panorama right here, which is definitely a Website of Particular Scientific Curiosity and a RAMSAR-listed wetland.
As at all times, parking right here is free for Nationwide Belief members so, in the event you’re travelling within the UK for an prolonged time frame, a membership with the NT might really show very cost-effective. The truth is it’s certainly one of my high UK price range journey suggestions.
The place to Keep in Ely
In terms of lodging in Ely, you’ll be hard-pressed to discover a higher deal than the Travelodge Ely.
Only a quick drive away from the centre of town, together with the Cathedral, there’s free parking right here, in addition to tea and occasional amenities and cozy double beds in all rooms.
A alternative of close by eateries additionally means grabbing breakfast within the morning is straightforward and simple.
For one thing extra impartial, this barge lodge in central Ely provide one thing amazingly quirky and cozy.
In any other case, the Metropolis Studios are good for many who desire a bit extra room and luxurious.
These high self-catering choices get common reward because of their wonderful location, high quality and cleanliness.
5 Key Packing Objects for Ely
And eventually, right here’s my checklist of the highest 5 packing necessities you shouldn’t head to the gorgeous metropolis of Ely with out…
#1 A Good Digicam
Little doubt you’re going to be snapping like loopy on this wonderful historic metropolis and wish to make sure you have a superb digital camera to do the place justice.
I like my Sony A6000, which is mild, compact and nice for journey.
#2 First rate Strolling Footwear
You may’t come this far and never get pleasure from a stroll alongside the river or in one of many many beautiful inexperienced areas round.
Get ready due to this fact and guarantee you will have an honest pair of strolling footwear – these cross-trainers from New Steadiness are splendid (and completely fashionable) for the job.
#3 Mild Waterproof Jacket
Regardless of the time of yr, you need to bear in mind that is England in any case, a rustic through which the heavens can open at any level!
Don’t get caught out and guarantee you will have a good light-weight and waterproof jacket with you!
This North Face one is ideal.
#4 Compact Climbing Day Pack
I by no means go on any journey, regardless of how quick, and not using a sturdy backpack to make sure I’ve bought every little thing I want and that the load is equally distributed throughout my again and shoulders.
This tremendous featherweight Kompressor from Marmot is my go-to, as a result of it folds right down to nothing and is waterproof.
#5 Transportable Charger
And eventually, I’d by no means head off anyplace with out my trusty Anker Transportable Charger, which retains my cellphone and digital camera charged, which means I can take all of the snaps and use all of the maps I want wherever and each time I’m!
The place to Head After Ely…
If Ely has moist your whistle and also you’re not able to cease adventuring but, you then’ll be glad to know there’s loads extra spots within the east of England you possibly can cruise on to after.
I’ve already talked about that town of Cambridge is only a quick prepare journey or drive away, however prolong a bit of additional and the quaint county of Cambridgeshire has lots to supply. take a look at my checklist of the highest 10 right here.
Past this, the gorgeous counties of Suffolk and Norfolk are each inside simple attain… particularly if in case you have a automotive.
Well-known for his or her historic markets cities and delightful coastlines, each Norfolk and Suffolk have some fantastic distant spots that make it simpler to dodge the crowds, even in summer time! What a pleasure!
In any other case, Essex can also be near Cambridgeshire with its historic metropolis of Colchester and the nice beachside spot of Mersea Island all inside simple driving distance.
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So there you will have it, my final information to visiting Ely in Cambridgeshire.
I hope I’ve impressed you to discover this small, however historic fantastic thing about an English metropolis.
For those who’re travelling this fashion, it actually shouldn’t be missed!