facebooktwitterpinterest
mobil menu

Ely Cathedral

  1. Ely
  2. Ely Church

Reviews, get directions and contact details for Ely Cathedral

Ely Cathedral
Gothic-style cathedral with an on-site glass museum, tower with 288 steps and a refectory cafe.
Address: Chapter House, The College, Ely CB7 4DL, UK
Phone: 01353 667735
State: Cambridgeshire
City: Ely
Zip Code: CB7 4DL

opening times

Monday: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Thursday: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Saturday: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Sunday: 12:00 – 3:00 PM

Update Info
Reviews
Very cute city with history and small cities vibe. Wouldn't go for a special trip but if you pass by, worth visiting. Couldn't enter cathedral due to service, but the outside view was promising. You can visit a range of local shops and cafes and enjoy the spirit
Spectacular and unique among cathedrals, its wooden octagonal “lantern” high above the crossing is amazing to see and explore. We booked an Octagon Tower tour before our visit, and learned from our guide the original tower had been square and built in a Romanesque design, but that unstable ground - possibly exacerbated by construction of the adjacent Lady Chapel - had caused the tower to collapse in 1322. Something new was clearly required, and result was an octagonal tower made of stone and wood that was lighter in weight, spread the load more evenly, and that had an upper row of windows to admit light a “lantern”. After examining this construction method on a model at ground level we were escorted up the first spiral staircase to the clerestory, where we were asked to deposit backpacks and purses. Nearby were the bass pipes of the organ, some of them so long that they are installed horizontally. Three more stairways ensued, two of them among the narrowest we have ever climbed in a Cathedral. All were inside the walls, and the one that accesses the roof requires one to bend almost double to duck through the exit door. The interior of the Octagon Tower is a busy maze of beams installed in the 14th Century, with some of the larger pieces at least 1,000 years old. We approached the lantern from behind and found it consisted of a number of high, narrow, painted doors, three of which were opened for us so we could peer across the octagon to the painted other side, and crane our necks to see the altar far below. It was absolutely splendid. We learned that the lantern’s last significant structural restoration was done under architect Sir Gilbert Scott in the mid 1800s, and that the lantern paintings and part of the nave ceiling were completed in the 1860s. Outside on the lead-clad roof we were treated to a terrific view over the city. Back downstairs we explored the magnificent Lady Chapel and some of the Chantry chapels before calling it day. Practical info: A tour will really make your time at Ely come alive, so visit the excellent Ely Cathedral website to see what is on offer. Allow about 2 to 2.5 hours for a visit.
An impressive and magnificent cathedral that makes Ely – even though it’s the second smallest city in England – truly special.nKnowing that this remarkable building is almost 1,000 years old makes the visit even more fascinating.nIt’s also interesting to learn that parts of the first Harry Potter film were shot here.nThe audio guide is excellent and very informative.
Come and see this cathedral! The audio tour which is included in the ticket price was very informative. The history of the Lady Chapel was very interesting yet sad. So glad we visited while staying in the area.
Truly stunning architecture with plenty of fine details and beautiful, brightly coloured stained glass windows.nnThe cathedral is very well maintained. I recommend visiting in the morning when it’s quieter and less busy. Don’t forget to have a walk around outside as well—there are lots of lovely details to see!
Comment on this business

Ely Cathedral map

Directions to Ely Cathedral with public transportation

Market Street 180 meters
110
112
117
12
125
129
9
9A
Ely Zipper
Ely Zipper 2
W Fen Road 280 meters
110
12
125
9A
Ely Zipper
Ely Zipper 2
Newnham Street 290 meters
110
112
117
12
125
129
9
9A
Ely Zipper
King's School 300 meters
125
9
Ely Zipper
Waitrose 320 meters
125

to add Ely Cathedral map to your website;



Copyright 2026 | All rights reserved.

You can use our top contact for adding and editing your business's contact details.
0.0034 Loaded in seconds

We use cookies

We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our website, to show you personalized content and targeted ads, to analyze our website traffic, and to understand where our visitors are coming from. Privacy Policy