• Ely Cathedral [3] - founded by St Ethelreda as a monastery church in 673, the present cathedral building was started in the 11th century and upgraded to a separate diocese in 1109. The cathedral has a unique octagonal tower and lantern, completed in 1328 after the collapse of the original Norman tower.
• Stained Glass Museum [4] - located in the South Triforium of Ely Cathedral
• Oliver Cromwell Museum [5] - situated in Oliver Cromwell's house opposite the cathedral, including tours of the building and a history of the fens.
• Wicken Fen [6] - fenland National Trust nature reserve between Ely and Cambridge
• Welney Wildfowl Centre [7] - Wildfowl Wetlands Trust bird sanctuary. The visitor centre and café were upgraded in 2006.

By train

Ely has direct trains to London/Kings Cross, Stansted airport, Ipswich, Norwich, Kings Lynn and via Peterborough to Birmingham and Liverpool. You can connect at Peterborough to fast trains to Scotland.

If you want to get to London, then it is quicker to go to Kings Cross, although tickets to Liverpool Street station are a bit cheaper.

Trains leave Ely to both Liverpool and London Liverpool Street Station. Be careful as they are 200 miles apart!

By car

Ely is situated on the A10, some 16 miles north of Cambridge, where it is possible to join the M11 for fast access to/from London (72 miles). Nearby roads may be flooded in the winter (typically the A1123 at Earith, and A1101 at Welney). Many of the smaller roads across the Fens have uneven surfaces and unguarded ditches, which lead to a number of fatalities each year.

For information about the free saturday run park and ride service, see National Park and Ride Directory

By bicycle

For the more adventurous it is possible to cycle into Ely from Cambridge [2]. The 16 mile journey follows the river and for an average person takes around an hour and a half, with the majority of the route being a designated cycle path.

Budget

• The Hereward 45 Market Street. tel +44 (0)1353 772050 - a large pub. Advertises cheap food. Only allows people aged 18 or over. Hit the headlines when they banned an 82 year old for wearing a hat indoors, so that they can record any trouble on CCTV [8].

Mid-range

• Pizza Express 43 High Street. tel +44 (0)1353 665999 [9] - The Ely branch of this reliable pizza chain. Pizzas £6-£8. Average meal for two £20 with a drink.

• Prezzo 12-14 High Street. tel +44 (0)1353 659832 [10] - Italian style pizza, pasta and chicken. Opened in December 2006, with views across to the Cathedral. Pizzas £6-£8. Average meal for two £20 with a drink. Lots of space over two floors.

• The Cutter Inn 42 Annesdale. tel +44 (0)1353 662713 [11] - a riverside pub which was refurbished in 2006. Traditional Pub Food, Bar Snacks & daily Specials Board

• The Maltings Ship Lane. tel +44 (0)1353 662633 [12] - an exhibition centre, bar and restaurant. Sandwiches, bar snacks and main courses for £8.

Splurge

• The Old Fire Engine 200m from the Cathedral. tel +44 (0)1353 662582 [13], A relaxed restaurant for lunch, dinner as well as morning coffee and afternoon tea. There is a homely sitting room and an art gallery upstairs and the garden is lovely in good weather. The main courses at lunch cost approximately £15 and are generally very good. They also offer second helpings!

• The Boathouse 5-5A Annesdale. tel +44 (0)1353 664388 [14] - nice riverside location in a converted boathouse, with some outdoor seating. The building is nothing special architecturally, but the food is good. Main courses are about £10 at lunch, £15 in the evening.

• Peacocks Tearoom near the river (65 Waterside, Ely). tel +44 (0)1353 661100 [15] - winner of the UK Tea Council’s Top Tea Place 2007 [16]. Afternoon tea is £12 per person, including a choice of 40 teas, finger sandwiches, scones with jam and cake.

• The Fountain, South end of town (1 Silver Street, near Barton Square). Very good real ale, nice atmosphere. Bit pricy (£2.60 for a pint!)
• The Minister Tavern, Directely across from Cathedral entrance. Good real ale and excellent food. One of the oldest pubs in town with lots of character, including its very own ghost (a Benedictine monk who likes ale).