From a market town in Shropshire to a Britain in Bloom village in Lancashire, the Pretty Places series is now serving up a city in this third post. Ely is an idyllic place with plenty of sights and is well-located if you’re looking for a day trip out of London. Here is a look around the pretty place and why you should visit Ely.

Though technically a cathedral city, Ely (pronounced ee-lee) is the size of a quaint town with just over 20,000 residents. It is located in Cambridgeshire just a few miles away from the university town of Cambridge and roughly 80 miles from London. The city dates as far back as the year 673 when an abbey was founded there by the Northumbrian queen, and Anglo-Saxon saint, known as Etheldreda. A monastery in Ely, which was built by Etheldreda was destroyed in 870 by the Danish invasion of Britain.

The town was granted ‘city’ status by royal charter in the 1970s thanks to its impressive Romanesque cathedral at the centre of the diocese. The stunning cathedral can be seen from most vantage points within the city, including its fortress-looking turrets. Though the iconic building is a huge draw for visitors, it is certainly not the only point of interest to be found. 

The city is edged by the Great River Ouse, with Ely Marine hosting numerous riverside pubs and cafes with scenic alfresco dining on summer days. From the marine visitors can wander through Jubilee Gardens up to Cherry Hill Park with picturesque views of the cathedral before following the winding paths, passing by medieval buildings that make up the area surrounding the cathedral. 

After stopping by the cathedral you can learn more about the city at the tourist centre, which is conveniently located in Oliver Cromwell’s house. The city also hosts numerous events including the annual Eel Day carnival and the Ely Horticultural Society’s Great Autumn Show.

Find out more about visiting Ely by checking out the Visit Ely website here. Check out previous posts from the Pretty Places series including Shrewsbury and Whalley by using the ‘pretty places’ tag.

images: scene therapy