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Ely Cathedral

Churches & cathedrals ·Ely ·Closed
4.710.3K
#1Things to do in Ely Cambridgeshire EnglandMost reviewed in ElyTravelers' Choice 2026
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Ely Cathedral

Ely CathedralEly CathedralEly CathedralEly CathedralEly CathedralEly CathedralEly CathedralEly CathedralEly CathedralEly CathedralEly Cathedral

What's on here

Lunchtime Recital - Erina Ishiyama (piano) Lunchtime Recital - Erina Ishiyama (piano) Thursday · All day Christmas Gift & Food Fair Christmas Gift & Food Fair 19 Nov – 21 Nov Jo Brand Jo Brand Tuesday · All day The Drifters The Drifters Friday · All day Christmas with Jethro Tull Christmas with Jethro Tull Friday · All day Christmas By Candlelight Christmas By Candlelight Saturday · All day The Big Christmas Tree Lights Switch-on Service The Big Christmas Tree Lights Switch-on Service Sunday · All day Christmas Wreathing at Ely Cathedral Christmas Wreathing at Ely Cathedral Wednesday · All day Show more

Why go

  • The timber octagon over the crossing, 25 metres across, with a star vault hanging 43 metres above the floor.
  • Climbing 288 steps to the top of the tower, for 360-degree views over the city.
  • The 12-bay nave, with the highest central aisle in England, finished in 1180.

Opening hours

Today12:00 – 15:00Show all
Monday10:00 – 16:00
Tuesday10:00 – 16:00
Wednesday10:00 – 16:00
Thursday10:00 – 16:00
Friday10:00 – 16:00
Saturday10:00 – 16:00
Sunday12:00 – 15:00

Don't miss

  • Central wooden bossCarved from one piece of oak, it shows Christ in Majesty.At the centre of the timber octagon.
  • Lantern panels with musical angelsThe panels show musical angels and can be opened for choristers to sing from above.In the octagon lantern.
  • Lady ChapelProbably built 1321–1349 in Decorated Gothic style, with the widest flat stone vault in England.A separate chapel parallel to the choir, at the east corner of the north transept.
  • Galilee PorchAn Early English Gothic porch, begun under Bishop Eustace, and now the main entrance for visitors.The main entrance for visitors.
  • Chantry of Bishop John AlcockAn ornate chantry chapel Alcock built for himself, where he was buried after his death in 1500.On the north side of the cathedral.

Know before you go

  • Address: The College, Ely.
  • Open Monday to Saturday, 10:00 to 16:00.
  • Sunday hours: 12:00 to 15:00.
  • Booking visitor tickets and tours in advance is recommended.

Legends and hidden details

  • According to tradition, the founder was a queen of Northumbria before she became abbess in 673.
  • Visitors may spot the cathedral's resident peregrine falcons.

Services and visiting hours

Every day of the year
Three services, including morning and evening services Everyone is welcome to attend.

Interesting facts6

1/6
  1. 8,000 eels

    Its stone came from the Barnack quarries and was bought from Peterborough Abbey for 8,000 eels a year.

    Ely Cathedral - Wikipedia

  2. Locals call it the ship of the Fens because it rises high above the flat land.

    Ely Cathedral - Wikipedia

  3. Modern builders could not repeat the timber work, since no trees are big enough for it.

    Ely Cathedral - Wikipedia

  4. Some chantry statues were left unfinished, since they sat too far out of view.

    Ely Cathedral - Wikipedia
  5. 300 parishes

    It is the mother church of more than 300 parishes in the Diocese of Ely.

    About - Ely Cathedral
  6. 2027

    A royal portrait is on show here exclusively until March 2027.

    Ely Cathedral - Ely Cathedral

Shorts

History

The site began in 673 as a double monastery founded by St Etheldreda, on what was then an island in the marshes. In 1071 the island held out against the Normans in the Siege of Ely, led by Hereward the Wake.

  1. 673Etheldreda founds a double monastery, the first building on the site.
  2. 970The abbey is refounded under the Rule of St Benedict.
  3. 1083Building work begins on the present church under abbot Simeon.
  4. 1109The church is granted cathedral status; Hervey le Breton becomes the first Bishop of Ely.
  5. 1174–89Bishop Geoffrey Ridel completes the half-built west tower.
Show all
  1. 1322The Norman central crossing tower collapses on the night of 12–13 February.
  2. 1342The timber octagon over the crossing is completed under Alan of Walsingham.
  3. 1540sBishop Thomas Goodrich has the shrines of the Anglo-Saxon saints destroyed.

Sources: Ely Cathedral - Wikipedia · Ely (England) - Wikivoyage (see) · Ely Cathedral - Ely Cathedral · Visit - Ely Cathedral · About - Ely Cathedral · Kathedrale von Ely - Wikipedia · Cathédrale d'Ely - Wikipedia · checked 25 Oct 2026

Where
The College, Ely

Plan from here: A day out →

Questions and answers

What are the opening hours of Ely Cathedral?

Ely Cathedral is open from 10:00 to 16:00 on weekdays, Monday to Saturday. On Sundays the hours are shorter, from 12:00 to 15:00.

Do I need to book tickets for Ely Cathedral in advance?

Booking visitor tickets and tours in advance is recommended at Ely Cathedral. The site does not give a price for tickets in the data.

How many steps are there to the top of the Ely Cathedral tower?

Climbing 288 steps leads to the top of the tower. From there, visitors get 360-degree views over the city of Ely.

Can visitors attend a service at Ely Cathedral?

Yes, everyone is welcome to attend the services. Three services are held every day of the year, including morning and evening services.

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