Things to do in Ely
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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. Howeve…
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Oliver Cromwell's House
A short hop across St Mary's Green is the attractive half-timbered Oliver Cromwell's House, where England's warty warmonger lived with his family from 1636 to 1646, when he was the tithe collector of Ely. The house now has Civil War exhibits, portraits, waxworks and echoes with canned commentaries of - among other things - the great man's grisly death, exhumation and posthumous decapitation.
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Great Ouse
From the antiques centre, this charming riverside walk ambles east with the Fens stretching to the horizon.
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Almonry
Vying for the best-setting award, this traditional teashop cosies up to the cathedral, spilling into attractive gardens left of the Lady Chapel. Alternatively, you can shelter in its atmospheric 12th-century vaulted undercroft. Meals here are simple, but there's a also a wide range of caffeinated pick-me-ups.
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Old Fire Engine House
Backed by beautiful gardens and showcasing a variety of artwork, this delightfully homey place serves classic English food and excellent afternoon teas. Expect the likes of steak-and-kidney pie or rabbit with prunes and bacon washed down with a carefully chosen wine. Book in advance.
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Boathouse
This sleek riverside restaurant dishes up excellent modern English food at very reasonable prices. It has wonderful patio dining overlooking the water, while the stylish interior is lined with oars. Book ahead.
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Stained-glass Museum
Near the entrance of Ely Cathedral there's a small but gleaming stained-glass museum that lets you get eye to eye with saints, up misshapen monsters and all manner of domestic barbarity through vivid glasswork from the 14th century onwards.
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King's School
Historic sites cluster about the cathedral's toes. Within spitting distance of the tower are both the former Bishop's Palace, now used as a nursing home, and King's School, which keeps the cathedral supplied with fresh-faced choristers.
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Bishop's Palace
Historic sites cluster about the cathedral's toes. Within spitting distance of the tower are both the former Bishop's Palace, now used as a nursing home, and King's School, which keeps the cathedral supplied with fresh-faced choristers.
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Ely Museum
Housed in the Old Gaol House, complete with prisoners' cells and their scrawled graffiti, this place has everything from Roman remains to archive footage of eel-catching. It's the place to catch up on local history, from the formation of the Fens to the local role in the World Wars.
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Peacocks
Voted one of Britain's top teashops by the ladies who know at the Tea Guild, this wisteria-clad place serves a vast selection of leaf teas, as well as luscious homemade cakes and soups, salads and sandwiches.
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Cromwell's House
A short hop from the cathedral across St Mary's Green is the attractive half-timbered house where England's warty warmonger lived with his family from 1636 to 1646, when he was the local tithe collector. The house now has Civil War exhibits, portraits, waxworks and echoes with canned commentaries of – among other things – the great man's grisly death, exhumation and posthumous decapitation.
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Waterside Antiques Centre
Ely is a great place for rummaging through antiques, and signs lead down to the river and bargain-hunting heaven Waterside Antiques Centre.
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