UK Travel Guide: Ely

Ely is one of the UK’s smallest cities but that doesn’t mean it should be overlooked. If you want a relaxed but charming day out, then Ely is an ideal destination. There are direct trains from Birmingham, Manchester and London, so getting there isn’t a problem. There is a lot of free parking available if you go by car, and I’ve always managed to get a space even on busy summer Saturdays. 

What to do:

The biggest attraction in Ely is the Cathedral. Known as ‘The Ship of the Fens’, its gargantuan size dominates the very flat landscape that surrounds it.  As a journalist, it’s important to leave no stone unturned. I, however, have never paid to go into the Cathedral. It’s £14 to get in, which is too expensive to visit on a whim. Ely is pretty local to me, and because I can go into the Cathedral at any time I’m never willing to pay for it. At some point in the future I will go in (most likely with a visiting friend), but for now all I can say is that it’s beautiful from the outside and looks nice online. 

Ely sits on the River Great Ouse, and hosts a lovely marina. If you’re interested in getting out on the water you can hire a boat, and if you’re interested in just looking at the water then you can sit out and have a picnic. Even on a busy summer Saturday, the marina doesn’t get overly full. The whole city manages to retain a nice atmosphere without feeling overcrowded. Nearby Cambridge can sometimes feel stifling, but I’ve never felt claustrophobic in Ely. 

There are also regular markets in the City Centre. They attract a diverse and high quality range of stalls, so it’s worth trying to plan your visit around market days. From interesting food stalls to beautiful handmade items like pottery and clothes, you could spend an hour just exploring the market. 

Where to shop:

Ely’s home to a really nice mix of independent shops. It’s lovely to see a traditional toy shop, cookery and homeware store, and a mini garden centre thriving on the high street when so many businesses of that nature are going out of business around the country.

The crown jewel of Ely high street is without a doubt Topping & Company booksellers. There’s a few Toppings around the country now, and the one in Ely is absolutely fantastic. They have such an impressive range of books, and make sure to promote interesting picks rather than just what’s trending on BookTok. I’ve never left without a new book, and it’s always a book that I’d never heard of before visiting. If you’re a proper collector, you can get lots of rare books and signed additions. They also host a year round literary festival, so a different world class author gives a talk practically once a fortnight. 

Sister shops Cattywampus and The Eel Catcher's Daughter are host to a lovely range of clothing and gifts. They’re lovely and welcoming, unlike that kind of shop where you don’t even dare to check the price of the clothes. All of the staff are absolutely wonderful. It’s the perfect place to find a new item of clothing or get a gift for a friend. 

If you want to pretend to be a Bargain Hunt contestant, Waterside Antiques will be perfect for you. Spread out over multiple floors, you could take literal days pouring over every shelf. There’s a huge range of prices, so you can find a future investment piece or some affordable items to start an antiques collection. As the name suggests, Waterside Antiques is right by the river and it is well worth popping your head in if you’re at the marina. 

Where to eat and drink:

You could visit Ely dozens of times and always go somewhere different. There’s no fighting for a table in that one decent spot.

For coffee and cake, Tom’s Cakes is a highlight. I don’t know who Tom is, but wow can that guy bake. The range of cakes and savoury treats on offer is almost mind blowing, including lots of dessert that I’ve literally never heard of. They’re not cheap, but it’s well worth the price you pay for the quality you get. 

For lunch, the Ely Grazing Company is a great spot. Their range of grazing boards, wraps and bagels are all delicious. Their locally sourced ingredients really shine through, and I would thoroughly recommend it. I’ve also had a nice lunch in the Griddle Bar and Meathouse. It’s a little more geared towards evening meals, but I shared a lovely steak and chips bowl with my Mum there last year. 

3At3 Real Ale & Craft Beer Cafe is a great spot for an alcoholic drink. I’m not a beer drinker at all, but on a recent visit they had a lovely peach wine. It has a nice garden to sit out in during warmer weather. 

What else is nearby?

Outside of Ely city centre is Ben’s Yard. It’s only accessible by car unfortunately, but there is ample parking. If you want to make your day a little longer it’s a nice place to stop off, but it’s not totally essential if you’re ready to head home.

Ben’s Yard hosts a cafe, farm shop, a fantastic looking playground if you have littlies to entertain, and a range of independent shops. Freda and Bert is the ultimate gift shop, with excellently curated tables. It is also full to the brim with Jellycats and other lovely toys for kids (and adults).  Love’s Lane by Abi has a fantastically curated range of homewares. I’d happily buy the whole shop and replace all my existing decor. 

Final Thoughts

Ely is a lovely city, and it is well worth making a trip over. If you’re looking for a slow day of mooching and grazing, Ely has everything you could want in a day out. 

Written by, Eleanor Patamia