Ely Cathedral, Ely

Known locally as "The Ship of the Fens" because of its prominent shape towering over the surrounding flat and watery landscape, Ely Cathedral offers guided tours of its iconic Octagon Tower. The tour provides detailed insight into the history of the cathedral, which was built between 1083 and 1375. Climb the cathedral’s spiral staircase on a clear day to take in sweeping views of the area, with the Cambridge University Library’s tower visible in the distance. The cathedral hosts regular concerts and temporary exhibitions, and is home to a museum of stained glass, displaying windows made over a span of 800 years. Don’t forget to pick up a souvenir of your visit at the cathedral’s well-stocked gift shop. Work out when and for how long to visit Ely Cathedral and other Ely attractions using our handy Ely trip maker site.