Ely Cathedral

Ely Cathedral is a working Anglican cathedral in the centre of Ely and the principal church of the Diocese of Ely. Its origins date to AD 673, when St Etheldreda founded an abbey church on the site. Construction of the present building began in 1083, and the church was granted cathedral status in 1109.

The cathedral contains architecture from several periods of the Middle Ages. Its long Norman nave and transepts date principally from the 12th century, while later additions introduced important examples of Gothic design. The building measures approximately 161 metres in length, making it the fourth-longest English cathedral. Its nave is around 75 metres long, with the ceiling rising approximately 32 metres above the floor.

The cathedral’s most distinctive feature is its 14th-century Octagon and wooden lantern, constructed following the collapse of the original central tower in 1322. The structure took around 18 years to build, rises to an internal height of approximately 43 metres and weighs about 400 tonnes. Visitors can see the Octagon from the cathedral floor or join a guided tower tour, which enters the internal wooden structure and continues to elevated viewpoints over Ely and the surrounding Fenland landscape.

Adjoining the cathedral is the Lady Chapel, whose foundations were laid in 1321. Completed in 1349, it is the largest Lady Chapel attached to a British cathedral. The interior retains extensive medieval stone carving, although much of its original colour, stained glass and sculptural decoration was lost or damaged during the Reformation.

Another notable feature is the painted nave ceiling, installed during the cathedral’s Victorian restoration. Its twelve panels depict the ancestry of Jesus, beginning with Adam and continuing through figures including Abraham, David and Mary. The first six panels were painted by Henry Styleman Le Strange, with the remaining six completed by Thomas Gambier Parry.

Ely Cathedral remains an active place of Christian worship, with regular services taking place throughout the week. It also hosts concerts, exhibitions, talks, guided visits and seasonal events. Visitor admission charges apply during normal sightseeing hours, although attendance at regular worship is free. Because services, special events and essential maintenance can affect public access, visitors are advised to check opening arrangements before travelling.

Most areas of the cathedral’s ground floor are accessible to wheelchair users. Ramped or level access is provided to areas including the Lady Chapel and cathedral shop, and an accessible parking bay is available near the building. Tower tours involve numerous steps and are not suitable for visitors with restricted mobility.