Ely May 2013

Whilst staying at Mildenhall in May 2013 we decided to visit the City of Ely in Cambridgeshire. Ely is set amongst the fens and its Cathedral can be seen from many miles away across the flat fenland countryside. For anyone who hasn't visited this part of Cambridgeshire it's an area where you can see over huge distances and vast field have few trees or hedges. Massive machines lumber across the farmland and roads are often straight for many miles (mind you these straight stretches can be punctuated by very sharp bends, so keep awake when driving!!). We were pleased to find free parking in the city centre within an easy walk of the Cathedral, shops and river.

The 12th Century Cathedral is impressive from the outside and on the inside. I'm afraid that I was a bit too tight fisted to pay the entry fee to see all the inside, perhaps we will do the tour on another visit. 

There are numerous narrow streets (pedestrian only) with masses of eating places, gift shops, non chain stores, antique shops etc., in fact a great place to wander round. 

Walking down hill (not that it's much of a hill) from the city centre for about 1/2 mile brings you to the river Great Ouse. The river has a good number of pleasure craft. On the other side of the river is a busy freight railway with trains that seem to be miles long trundling past.

Ely is certainly a place to spend a day in a city where there is a lot to keep you interested. We will be back before too long.