Be Relaxed, Refreshed and Inspired this Summer in Ely

Article courtesy of Visit Ely 

Think of a Cambridgeshire city and immediately Cambridge springs to mind, but this summer why not avoid the crowds and heaving traffic and take a trip to the beautiful city of Ely?

Visit Ely this summer and discover a wealth of shops, great restaurants, bars and cafes, fascinating museums and galleries, green open spaces and a magical stretch of riverside. Absorb the atmosphere and character of this small city with its intriguing mixture of old and new with many quaint side streets, always bustling but never frantic.

Call into the Tourist Information Centre, located at Oliver Cromwell’s House, and let the friendly staff help plan your visit.  After a tour of the Lord Protector’s former home, pick up a copy of the Eel Trail which is a self-guided, circular walk, that takes you around the city centre. This is the best way to ensure that you see all the beauty and glory of Ely as well as learn much about the city’s history and origins including why exactly Ely is in love with eels and even has their own Eel Festival!  

The trail will take you past the magnificent Ely Cathedral. Browse the array of independent shops before making your way down to the beautiful riverside. Here you can take a river cruise, picnic in the gardens, enjoy a leisurely walk or relax and partake in some form of refreshment from formal dining to a cheeky cocktail in one of the many restaurants and cafes. At weekends there is the added pleasure of listening to music from the bandstand in Jubilee Gardens. Alternatively, book on one of the guided walks, bookable from the Tourist Information Centre.

With excellent train links, just an hour from London and 10 minutes from Cambridge, Ely is easily accessible or hop on your bike and cycle along one of many routes and take in the landscape of the Fens. 

For the perfect short break, take a look at our website www.visitely.org.uk for some accommodation ideas and make Ely your destination this summer.