One of the smaller cities in England, with a population of roughly 20,000, Ely can be found in the Fens in Cambridgeshire. One of its most well-known buildings is the cathedral, which has origins dating back to about 672AD. It's also an ideal base from which to explore the marshes of the Fens, and there are also a number of other things to do around the local area. It could therefore be worth considering a visit to Ely if you wish to go to somewhere a little bit different.

Image Credit: Phil Hearing | Unsplash

Ely is easy to access by rail, with frequent trains to the city from London via Cambridge. It's also within easy reach of the East Coast Main Line at Peterborough, which can make rail travel options more attractive from further afield - particularly if you use our website to obtain cheap train tickets for your journey there. In addition to this, the city has a direct rail link to Stansted Airport, and also has direct services to many places in the country (including Birmingham, Norwich, Nottingham, Sheffield, Manchester, and Liverpool), in spite of its compact size.

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Getting around Ely

There are a good number of ways in which you can get around Ely, and we've covered the main ones below.

• Walk/cycle. Ely's compact size makes it easy to walk around, and the lack of elevation can also make it an attractive location for a wider number of people who wish to explore the city on foot. It's a great option for those on a tighter budget or who want to get some exercise while on a city break in Ely. If you'd like some inspiration on different walks to take in and around Ely, there are a few possibilities found HERE. There are also a good number of cycling routes in and around Ely, and these can be ideal if you want to explore the wider area a bit more. A number of different cycling routes in and around Ely can be found HERE.
• Bus. There are a number of bus routes in and around Ely, connecting it to other locations in the area - this can make buses an attractive option for day trips to other places while using Ely as a base. Further information on buses in Ely can be found HERE.
• Taxi. Taxis can be a great way of getting around, particularly if you have a fair amount of luggage or have restricted mobility. However, the cost of taxis can add up if you use them on a number of occasions, so it's worth bearing this in mind.
• Rail. Ely's connections to various different lines means it can be a great place to base yourself and explore the area by rail. For example, you can visit the port of King's Lynn to the north, or the popular university city of Cambridge to the south. If you want to explore the area by rail, don't forget to purchase cheap train tickets from our website or app for your travels.

So what is there to do in Ely? Well, read on, and you'll be able to find out. Do remember to purchase cheap train tickets from our app or website for your journey to this English city.

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Sport

Given Ely's location by the River Great Ouse, it's perhaps no surprise that water-based sports are well-known here. The river itself is used by the University of Cambridge's rowing club while training for the annual Boat Race against Oxford. The famous Boat Race has also been held here on two occasions - once in 1944 due to World War 2, and again in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As with many cities around the country, Ely has a football club called Ely City FC, and they play their home games at the Unwin Ground to the north-west of the city. At the time of writing, Ely City compete in the Eastern Counties Football League Premier Division, which is the ninth tier of the English football league system, so it's a great opportunity to watch some non-league football. Alternatively, Cambridge is only a 20-minute train ride away (don't forget to purchase cheap train tickets from our website or app to get there and back), and you can watch League One's Cambridge United play their home games at the Abbey Stadium. Next door to Ely City FC's ground is Ely On Par Golf and Driving Range, which is great for golf fans, or those who want to try something a little bit different. The sport of fen skating has been historically played around Ely and other locations in the Fens, and it's still played to this day, particularly in cold periods when areas ice over to make play possible. Ely also has a link to rugby union, with Sir Clive Woodward - manager of the England mens' team, who was in charge when England won the 2003 Rugby World Cup - being born in the city.

Image Credit: Alphotographic | Getty Images Signature

Are you a Sports Fan? Trainsplit has partnered with Pledgeball, a grassroots charity that rallies fellow fans to take action to protect where we play, making changes that improve our air and our green spaces. It can be as simple as swapping to reusable water bottles or taking the train to a match instead of driving. Fans, players, clubs, grassroots teams – the impact we can have together is game-changing.

History

As is often the case with UK cities, Ely's main landmark is its cathedral. Found in the city centre, the cathedral itself has origins dating back to the year 672AD, and was granted cathedral status in 1109. Its Romanesque and English Gothic architectural styles are bound to be of interest to many people, and its most notable feature is the central octagonal tower. It is the seat of the Bishop of Ely, and also a suffragan bishop, the Bishop of Huntingdon.

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Contained within the cathedral is the Ely Stained Glass Museum. This is the only stained-glass museum in the UK, and you can learn about the history of stained glass, with exhibits dating from the 13th century to the present day. Just to the west of the city centre, and off St Mary's Street, you will find Oliver Cromwell's House. This was the family home of the Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland, with Cromwell himself living in the property for about a decade, and has been a tourist attraction since the 1990s. It's well worth a visit to gain an insight into what life may have been like during the English Civil War in the 1640s. If you want to learn more about the history of Ely and the surrounding area, why not visit Ely Museum? Found to the north of the city centre on Market Street in the old gaol, the museum has a variety of exhibits, including an examination of the way of life in the Fens, prehistoric exhibits, and the gaol cells where you can encounter stories of the prisoners who were incarcerated there.

Culture

If you want to take in some cultural events while visiting Ely, then the Maltings to the south-east of the city centre and on the banks of the River Great Ouse is a great option. Housed in buildings associated with a former brewery, the Maltings hosts a variety of different productions during the course of the year, and its smaller size than other theatres can make for more intimate experiences. The Maltings also hosts music events as part of its calendar, and you can also find a variety of other music events in Ely Cathedral, and you can find further information about music at the cathedral HERE. A short walk away from the Maltings, and also housed in a former brewery, is the Babylon Gallery. The gallery hosts a number of exhibits from local, regional, and national collections, and the gift shop has many items created locally, so it could be a very good way of helping to support local artists. There are some actors who were born in the city, including Simon MacCorkindale (appearing in many films and TV shows over the years, including Casualty), and also Guy Pearce (most well-known for his role as Mike Young in the Australian soap Neighbours).

Image Credit: Historic UK | Historic UK

Dining recommendations

For anyone visiting somewhere new, aside from finding somewhere to say, high on the list of things to consider is what the dining options are. There are plenty of different places in Ely to choose from to suit different budgets and desires, and we've covered just a few of them below.

Cheap eats

The Hereward
Address: 45 Market Street, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB7 4LZ
Just to the north of the city centre and within easy reach of both Ely Museum and the Cathedral, you'll find the Hereward. If you want good-value pub food, then this is a great option if you want to get even more value for money out of your time in Ely. Starting a meal off with a number of small plates is becoming more common these days, and you can do this at the Hereward - options include crispy coated prawns (with spicy mayo), chicken goujons (crispy coated chicken strips served with a BBQ sauce), and topped Doritos (with a garlic & herb sauce, jalapeños, tomato salsa, and spring onion). There are plenty of choices for main courses, and these include Cumberland sausage & mash (with peas and onion gravy), a chip shop platter (fish & chips, served with battered sausage, chip shop curry sauce, tartare sauce, tartare sauce, bread & butter, and choice of peas), and a coconut Thai vegetable curry (served with rice - vegan option is available). Dessert options here include a chocolate brownie (with vanilla-flavour ice-cream, Belgian chocolate sauce, and crumbled chocolate pieces), a honeycomb cheesecake (smooth toffee cheesecake topped with chocolate coated honeycomb pieces, toffee sauce and dark chocolate, served with vanilla flavour ice cream and Belgian chocolate sauce), and a sticky toffee sponge pud (topped with a Lotus Biscoff biscuit crumb and served withvanilla flavour ice cream - vegan option available).

Mid-range

Arbuckles
Address: Ely Leisure Village, Downham Road, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB6 2LE 
A short walk from both Ely City FC's ground and Ely On Par Golf Club and Driving Range, you'll find Arbuckles. The focus here is on steak, which is ideal if you perhaps want a special meal out on your trip away to Ely, but there are of course plenty of other options to choose from. The available starters include prawn & avocado cocktail (prawns in homemade cocktail sauce on a bed of cos lettuce and avocado served with malted bread & butter), bandito chicken (chicken breast pieces coated in a Southern crumb served with a BBQ dip), and no-meat meatballs (oven-baked in homemade marinara sauce, topped with cheese, served with ciabatta bread). The main courses are varied, and include an 8oz rump steak (topped with chilli butter, served with a house salad and chips or jacket potato), lonestar chicken (chicken breast smothered in pulled pork, BBQ sauce, cheese, served with house salad and chips or jacket potato), the Arbuckles mixed grill (8oz rump steak, chicken breast, gammon, BBQ-marinated pork steak, creamy pepper sauce, grilled tomato, and chips or jacket potato), a powerhouse kale double burger (patty of kale, hemp seed, vegetables, herbs, and spices, served in an American-style bun with lettuce, tomato, red onion & mayo, served with house salad and chips or jacket potato), and many more. For dessert, why not go for the Caribbean mango & coconut slice (ginger crumb biscuit base with a mango and coconut mousse sprinkled with toasted coconut, served with raspberry coulis and vanilla ice cream), caramel apple crumble pie (sweet pastry filled with apple, custard & caramel, with a crumble topping, served warm with custard, ice cream or fresh whipped cream), or a midnight mint surprise sundae (chocolate and mint ice creams, Belgian chocolate pieces and brownies, all topped with chocolate sauce and cream)?

Ely Turkish Restaurant & Meze Bar
Address: 33 Forehill, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB7 4AA
East of the city centre and a short walk from the cathedral, you'll find Ely Turkish Restaurant & Meze Bar. As the name would suggest, the focus here is on Turkish cuisine, and it's one of the most well-regarded restaurants in Ely on TripAdvisor. The cold starters include humus (crushed chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, hint of garlic), yaprak sarma (stuffed vine leaves with a side of yogurt), and shaksuka (fried aubergine with peppers, onions, and tomato purée). For hot starters, dishes here include calamari (battered Atlantic squid rings, deep-fried and served with tartare sauce), halloumi and sucuk (grilled halloumi and spicy Turkish sausage), and borek (pastry filled with feta cheese & spinach, deep-fried and served with sweet chilli sauce). Main courses are varied, and can include adana kofte (minced lamb with parsley, paprika, and chilli flakes), yoghurtlu chicken shish (marinated chicken cubes on diced Turkish bread with yoghurt and Halep sauce), imam bayildi (whole baked aubergine stuffed mix vegetables with cheese, served with rice and couscous), and salmon with garlic butter (roasted salmon with garlic butter sauce, served with mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus). If you want to get even more value from a meal here, then the lunchtime set menu is well worth considering.

El Guaca
Address: Ely Leisure Village, Downham Road, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB6 2FE
For fans of Mexican food, look no further than El Guaca. Sited at Ely Leisure Village on the outskirts of the city, El Guaca has a substantial variety of dishes on its menu, which is great if you're dining in a group and everyone wants something different. Available appetisers include empanadas (deep-fried pastry filled with chorizo, cheese & oregano, served with roasted salsa), prawns & grilled pineapple (prawns marinated in lime & coriander, cooked in garlic butter & jalapeños), and plantain taco (traditional soft corn tortilla filled with refried beans, sweet plantain, lettuce, caramelized agave onions, radish, coriander, and micro cress. Main courses include chimichangas (large deep-fried tortilla packed with jack cheese, grilled peppers & refried beans, served with Mexican rice, sour cream, guacamole & pico de gallo - all with a choice of additional filling), a Mexican paella (slow-cooked Mexican rice with tiger prawns, chicken, chorizo, red salsa, peas, and sweetcorn), and buffalo blast fajitas (meat-free style strips coated in Louisiana hot sauce served on a sizzling skillet over sautéed peppers and onions, served with vegan mozzarella, vegan sour cream & chives, pico de gallo, guacamole, and warm flour tortillas). To end your meal on a sweet note, the options here include bunuelos (fried dough ball dusted with cinnamon sugar served with dulce de leche & chocolate fudge sauce), a banana chimichanga (acinnamon flour tortilla filled with banana, deep fried and served with dulce de leche & vanilla ice cream), and a hibiscus & raspberry chocolate torta (a chocolate and coconut base covered in a raspberry & hibiscus non-dairy creamy mousse, topped with hibiscus syrup and edible flowers, finished with a dark chocolate bubble).

The Prince Albert
Address: 62 Silver Street, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB7 4JF
If you want good pub food, then the Prince Albert is a great option. Located on Silver Street to the south-west of the city centre, it's ideal if you want a good meal but don't want to venture too far from Ely itself. Starters here include grilled dates (wrapped in bacon with creamy wholegrain mustard sauce), whitebait (with tartar sauce and bread & butter), and loaded crispy potato skins (with cheese, bacon, and jalapeños). The main courses here include dishes such as Haddenham sausages and mash (with seasonal veg and onion gravy), pan-fried sea bass fillet (with clams, prawns, and squid on a bed of taglioni in a creamy chimichurri sauce), and a mixed bean burger (in a pretzel roll with spicy mayo, lettuce, gherkins, red onion, coleslaw, and skinny fries). Dessert choices here include a double chocolate brownie (with mint and brownie ice-cream), an apple & mixed berry crumble (with vanilla ice-cream), and a cheeseboard (with chutney, biscuits, and quince jelly).

Fine dining

The Orangery
Address: The Old Hall Ely, Stuntney Causeway, Stuntney, Ely Cambridgeshire CB7 5TR
A short distance south-east of Ely and just off the road to Soham lies The Old Hall. The Old Hall is a wedding venue and hotel, but they do open the Orangery Restaurant for public dining if you want to have a more refined dining experience. The available starters at the moment include confit duck (with spiced raspberry sauce, glazed baby beetroot, and duck skin crackling), grilled sardines (with chilli & garlic roasted cherry tomatoes, smoked mustard mayonnaise, and sourdough toast), and roasted buttercup squash & nutmeg mascarpone ravioli (with gorgonzola sauce and sage oil). For your main courses, why not choose from the fillet of beef (with Parmesan Dauphinoise, truffle beurre blanc, stem broccoli, and nasturtium oil), the poached lemon sole (with steamed mussels, samphire, seaweed sauce, and lemon & caper butter), or the garlic & herb stuffed portobello mushroom (with roasted stem broccoli, madeira cream sauce, and spiced plum chutney)? The dessert choices here include a caramelised brown sugar tart (with pumpkin seed oil ice cream), mulled wine poached fruits (with cinnamon ice-cream), and pumpkin pie (with nutmeg ice-cream and cinnamon caramel). If you like to end a meal with some cheese, then you're in luck here, as the Orangery offer a cheeseboard (four cheeses, relish, celery, grapes, and cheese biscuits).

The Dining Room at Poets House Hotel
Address: St Mary's Street, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB7 4EY
Sited to the west of the city and a short walk from Oliver Cromwell's House, you'll find the Dining Room at Poets House Hotel. The hotel itself is housed in buildings dating back to the 1900s, and is also known for hosting weddings. Starting your meal off at the Dining Room can include dishes such as chicken liver pâté (served with blackcurrant under bed and toasted ciabatta), arancini mozzarella balls (served with pancetta and a rich tomato sauce), and bang bang cauliflower florets (served with naked vegetables and a cool dipping sauce). Main courses here can include lamb cutlets (Norfolk lamb cutlets served with pea & mint purée with a warm gem salad, sweet potato wedges, and chimichurri), Poets seabass (sweet seabass fillet laying on a bed of samphire, a rich red pepper and tomato sauce, with new potatoes and crispy leek), and a spring risotto (made with Arborio rice and spring vegetables, basil, pesto, and rocket). For dessert, the options include crème brûlée (served with amaretti biscuits), a raspberry pavlova (fresh British raspberries with homebaked meringue with chantilly cream), and Belgian chocolate cheesecake (served with Judes vanilla ice-cream - vegan option available). There is also a cheeseboard available as well if you wish to end your meal on this note, with the cheeseboard including a selection of continental and British cheeses, served with fruits and biscuits.

Image Credit: Alphotographic | Getty Images Signature 2

If you want to indulge in a bit of retail therapy while in Ely, then you're in luck. In addition to a number of chain stores, there are a number of independent stores in the city, selling all kinds of things, and we're sure you'll be able to find something that helps remind you of your time in this English city or if you want a locally-made treat while out and about. Further information can be found HERE. If you want some more details on things to do while you're in the city, then it's worth visiting the Tourist Information Centre, which is located at Oliver Cromwell's House.

Why not take the chance to go for a wander in one of the city's green spaces? There are a number in and around the city, including Cherry Hill Park to the south of the cathedral (which also includes the site of an old castle), and Ely Country Park to the east. If you're interested in bird watching, then the RSPB Ouse Washes to the north-west of Ely are worth considering, with the site being home to many different bird species.

Overnighting in Ely

Maximise your Ely experience by extending your stay in this city. Whether you're drawn to its location, its sporting sites, or something else, Ely provides diverse accommodation options for every preference and budget. Uncover the ideal place to unwind and rejuvenate for another day of exploration.

Looking to book your stay? Click here to explore the variety of accommodations for an overnight break. 

Book your accommodation here

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We very much hope that we've convinced you to book a trip to Ely. If we have, then fantastic! Our website is on hand to help you get cheap train tickets for your journey through the wonders of split ticketing, and our customer service team is on hand to assist you if you have any queries regarding your booking.

Getting the best-value rail tickets possible is something that we at Trainsplit are sure many people want to do. This can include booking in advance, using a Railcard if you have one, travelling outside peak times, and – of course – splitting tickets via our website. All these and more can help you get cheap train tickets for your journey to Doncaster. If you’d like further information on any of these, please get in touch, and we’ll do what we can to assist you. We do have a comprehensive booking guide here at Trainsplit on the booking process, which we hope will be very useful, and we’ve covered some of the main points below. 

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Our top tips and ways to cut down train travel costs on your train tickets to Ely

Book Your Train Tickets Early

If you know when you are planning to travel, booking early can save you money on your train tickets. With Advance fares becoming available up to 12 weeks ahead, this is a great way to save on your rail travel.

Use a Railcard

Teamed up with a railcard, you can get up to a third off the cost, saving you more money on your train tickets. If you make a lot of train journeys, a railcard will pay for itself in no time.

Split Your Tickets

With Trainsplit’s unique journey planner, we search for the best-priced train tickets for your journey. You can easily discover the best split ticketing combinations that maximise your savings on train tickets, and best of all, Trainsplit will do all the work for you and doesn’t charge a booking fee.

Avoid Peak Times

If you don't need to travel early in the morning, consider traveling off-peak to save money on more expensive train tickets. Trains are also likely to be quieter during off-peak hours, which usually start from around 09:30 onwards.

Travelling with a group of 3-9 people

Take a look at GroupSave train tickets. These are a great way to get discounted train fares for groups of people traveling together.

Consider an alternative aoute

If you're travelling from London, then an alternative route to Ely may potentially involve changing at Peterborough instead of going directly from London to Ely. Using Trainsplit’s journey planner, you can search for routes to Ely which use trains that can potentially save you money on your train tickets.

Claim Delay Repay

If your journey is delayed, you may be entitled to delay compensation on your train tickets.

By following these tips, along with using Trainsplit’s unique journey planner to find the best train ticket deals, now is the perfect time to explore new destinations.

Avoid Booking Fees

Many ticket retailers impose booking fees for each journey booked, adding unnecessary expenses to your travel costs. With Trainsplit, we don't charge a booking fee. Instead, we only charge a share of savings, which is a small percentage of the savings you made if we found a split for your journey. Rest assured, it will still work out cheaper than purchasing a through fare. If no splits are found, no share of savings will be charged.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I book Cheap Train Tickets to Ely?

You can find the cheapest train tickets to Ely by booking in advance and considering split ticket options. Websites like Trainsplit offer tools to help you find the best deals.

What's the most cost-effective way to travel to Ely?

The most economical way to travel to Ely is by booking cheap Advance Tickets  and exploring split ticketing options, which can significantly reduce your travel expenses.

When should I book my train tickets to Ely for the best prices?

To secure the cheapest train tickets to Ely, it's advisable to book well in advance, as fares tend to increase closer to the travel date. Additionally, consider exploring split ticketing options for additional savings.

Can I save money by splitting my train tickets when travelling to Ely?

Yes - splitting your train tickets to Ely can often result in significant cost savings compared to purchasing a single through ticket. Services like Trainsplit can help you find the most advantageous split ticket combinations.

Are there any discounts available for frequent train travellers to Ely?

Consider purchasing a digital railcard that offers discounts for frequent train travellers to Ely and other destinations. A railcard can provide significant savings on train tickets, especially when combined with strategies such as split ticketing, to ensure you get great-value cheap train tickets for your journeys. Whether you're commuting regularly or planning occasional trips, a railcard is a valuable investment that can help you maximise your savings on train travel to Ely and beyond.

Is it cheaper to book train tickets to Ely online or at the station?

When looking to secure cheap train tickets to Ely , booking online in advance typically provides the most cost-effective fares. Using train ticket booking platforms like Trainsplit can also help in finding split ticket options, further reducing your travel expenses. 

Remember, if you have any questions about train travel or need assistance, feel free to reach out to our team. We're here to help you plan a memorable journey.

We're here to help you plan a memorable journey.

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