Ely Cathedral

Dominating the town and visible across the flat fenland for vast distances, the stunning silhouette of Ely Cathedral is locally dubbed the 'Ship of the Fens'.

Walking into the early 12th-century Romanesque nave, you're immediately struck by its clean, uncluttered lines and lofty sense of space. The cathedral is renowned for its entrancing ceilings and the masterly 14th-century octagon and lantern towers, which soar upwards in shimmering colours.

The vast 14th-century Lady Chapel is the biggest in England; it's filled with eerily empty niches that once held statues of saints and martyrs. They were hacked out unceremoniously by iconoclasts during the English Civil War. However, the astonishingly delicate tracery and carving remain.

The cathedral is a breathtaking place, its incredible architecture and light making it a popular film location. You may recognise some of its fine details from scenes in Elizabeth: The Golden Age or The Other Boleyn Girl, but wandering back to the streets it can be difficult to imagine how such a small and tranquil city ended up with such a fine monument.

Although a sleepy place today, Ely has been a place of worship and pilgrimage since at least 673, when Etheldreda, daughter of the king of East Anglia, founded a nunnery here. A colourful character, Ethel shrugged off the fact that she had been twice married in her determination to become a nun and was canonised shortly after her death. The nunnery was later sacked by the Danes, rebuilt as a monastery, demolished and then resurrected as a church after the Norman Conquest. In 1109 Ely became a cathedral, built to impress mere mortals and leave them in no doubt about the power of the church.

For more insight into the fascinating history of the cathedral join a free guided tour, or a tower tour of the Octagon Tower or the West Tower. Tour times change daily and by season so check in advance. It's also worth timing a visit to attend the spine-tingling Evensong or choral service.

Near the entrance a stained-glass museum (www.stainedglassmuseum.com) tells the history of decorated glasswork from the 14th century onwards.

Historic sites cluster about the cathedral's toes. Look out for the Bishop's Palace, now used as a nursing home, and King's School, which keeps the cathedral supplied with fresh-faced choristers.