Ely Cathedral is one of the wonders of England. Rising from the dead-flat Fenland like a great vessel on the horizon — no wonder they call it the Ship of the Fens — it can be seen for miles in every direction, and the closer you get, the more astonishing it becomes. Founded on the site of St Etheldreda’s 7th-century abbey, the present building is a Norman masterpiece with one crowning glory found nowhere else on Earth.
The Octagon — a Medieval Miracle
When the central tower collapsed in 1322, Ely’s monks did something no one had tried before: they built an eight-sided tower topped by a vast timber lantern, engineered by the king’s own carpenter from oak beams over twenty metres long. Seven centuries later the 400-tonne Octagon still hangs, seemingly weightless, above the crossing, flooding the cathedral with light. Stand directly beneath it and look up — it’s one of the great sights of medieval Europe. Better still, book an Octagon Tower tour and climb the 170 steps up among the beams themselves, with views over the Fens from the roof.
More to Discover
The painted ceiling of the great Norman nave runs away in a riot of Victorian colour; the Lady Chapel is the largest in England; and West Tower tours climb 288 steps for the biggest panorama of all. Up at gallery level, the Stained Glass Museum — the only one of its kind in the country — displays glowing glass spanning eight centuries. Cleverly, your visitor ticket can be upgraded to a free annual pass on the day, and children in family groups go free.
Visiting Ely Cathedral
Ely is an easy 15 minutes by train from Cambridge, with the cathedral a short walk from the station through one of England’s most charming small cities — Oliver Cromwell’s house, riverside walks and a bustling market square are all nearby. The cathedral opens daily (it’s a working church, so check for service times), and pre-booking tower tours is strongly advised. Nature lovers can pair it with the National Trust’s Wicken Fen nature reserve, ten minutes down the road.
Book Your Visit
Visitor tickets, Octagon and West Tower tours and events are on the official Ely Cathedral website.
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