Top Things to do in Ely
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What to do and see in Ely, United Kingdom (UK): The Best Places and Tips
Discover the best top things to do in Ely, United Kingdom (UK) including Ely Cathedral, The Animal Experience, Wood Fen Lodge Spa, Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, The Stained Glass Museum, Oliver Cromwell's House, Jubilee Gardens, Ely Museum, Waterside Antiques, Prickwillow Drainage Engine Museum.
Restaurants in Ely
1. Ely Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By HopeHeard - Chelmsford, United Kingdom
I visited Ely Cathedral two years ago, and just fell in love with it. I have never been in such a beautiful building. I had a tour, which takes you right up onto the roof of the Cathedral, overlooking Ely and it's breathtaking views. The tour was wonderful, and looking down inside the tower to the choir below who were singing, was just amazing.
I then went back again in November to the Christmas Fare which they held in the Cathedral, and am so glad I did. They had a beautiful old Carousel outside which I went on, and they had all sorts of attractions including real reindeer which we were able to pet and feed. Inside the Cathedral were many many stalls, with so may crafts that people had created. There was also a food court, and entertainment. The Cathedral really is the most beautiful building and is definitely worth visiting either when they are hosting an event, or just to go and take in the beauty on a quiet day.
2. The Animal Experience
Overall Ratings
5 based on 250 reviews
The Animal Experience has moved to our new site at Stretham, a family business founded in 1995, offering hands on experiences with a wide variety of snakes, lizards, tarantulas, meerkats, coatis. We have Royal Pythons, Brazilian Rainbow Boa, Anaconda, Burmes Pythons, Cornsnakes, Milksnakes, Boa Constrictors, Leopard Geckos, Bearded Dragons, Blue Tongue Skinks, Turtles, Tortoises, Berber Skinks, Day Geckos, Tegus, Water Dragons, Tarnatulas, Cockroaches, Snails and Frogs and more in the Reptile room and our staff are happy to get some out for you to touch and hold, Outside in their purpose built enclosures we have 2 mobs of meerkats who love climbing on people and using you as their look out post - book a meerkat experience to spend 30 mins in with these cute creatures, feed them etc, then our gorgeous Coati's Yin and Yang who for adults only can be fed and climb on you - these are strong sturdy animals but very tame. Our Owls room is work in progress but Ronnie the Barn Owl is often there when not out at events - we attend schools, children's parties, wedding, corporate events and our animals are used for film and TV work. We operate a booking process so your family/group or just you can have an individual experience with a keeper so although we are small we are very hands on and love to give you any information about our wonderful animals many of which are rescued. We have a toilet on site but no cafe although offer cold drinks and chocolates, crisps, but very close is an indian/chinese buffet - Mango Valley and the Lazy otter Pub. Sat Nav sometimes takes you to a lay-by, we are the next turning on the right before A10 car sales if coming from Cambridge towards Stretham - we look forward to welcoming you.
Reviewed By petesat1 - Morden, United Kingdom
We had a great time meeting meerkats and coatis (two separate experiences) with Hazel. The animals appear well looked after and enjoyed being stroked after being fed. Hazel was kind enough to let us handle a beautiful python after our experiences had finished.
3. Wood Fen Lodge Spa
Overall Ratings
5 based on 76 reviews
Reviewed By smithemmalee
Warm welcome and complimentary beverage upon arrival. When I last visited the spa, visitors were able to have full use of the spa facilities during the day. This has now changed and guests have either a morning or afternoon slot.
Warm hot tub, sauna and steam room. Very clean in the spa and throughout the grounds. Located in a very peaceful and serene area. Great food, great prices, will return.
4. Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 438 reviews
Reviewed By Simonr1295 - London, United Kingdom
Wicken Fen is the last remnant of the vast network of waterlands that once covered much of Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Lincolnshire south of the Wash. It’s an amazing watery landscape like nowhere in Britain, with masses of amazing birdlife. It’s well worth a visit for s very interesting walk - and the tea shop is lovely, with very good cakes...
5. The Stained Glass Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 172 reviews
The Stained Glass Museum offers a unique insight into the fascinating history of stained glass, an art-form that has been practised in Britain for at least thirteen hundred years. Our permanent gallery displays over 125 stained glass panels representing eight hundred years of the history of this ancient art, from the thirteenth century to the present day. All the stained glass panels in the gallery are displayed at eye-level enabling visitors to have a rare close-encounter with the art of stained glass. Temporary Exhibitions are also held throughout the year, highlighting panels and designs from the Museum's reserve collection.
Reviewed By SMOGtraveller - London, United Kingdom
A lovely museum with a fantastic collection of stained glass from various periods of history, with information on how it was made. It is located inside the Cathedral on an upper floor, you can buy a joint ticket with the Cathedral as you enter if you want to visit both or buy a ticket for the museum only at the museum.itseld if you are pushed for time.
6. Oliver Cromwell's House
Overall Ratings
4 based on 483 reviews
Reviewed By Diana15241 - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Oliver Cromwell was quite an historic figure and the question of villain or hero plays out throughout the house and self-guided tour (audio guide is included with admission). The house was in good condition but the displays could verge on being campy (Cromwell on his death bed was a bit over the top!).
7. Jubilee Gardens
Overall Ratings
4 based on 123 reviews
Reviewed By GlobeTrotters4001 - Brisbane, Australia
We walked from Cherry Hill Park through the Jubliee Gardens to get to the riverside of the River Great Ouse. I wouldn't class it a garden as such but more a greenspace that gets you from Broad street to the river. It's nice to have this to wander through rather than buildings though.
8. Ely Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 104 reviews
Ely Museum, a bright and friendly local history museum, located in the Bishop's Gaol in the centre of the historical city of Ely. The Museum is the history centre for the Isle of Ely & the Fens and it takes you on a journey through time from prehistory to the twentieth century.Displays include original prison cells, fossils that can be touched, Roman remains and an archive film of the Fens including punt guns and eel catching.A museum guide, children's activities, toilets and a gift shop make this an ideal destination for all of the family.
Reviewed By daveskegness - Skegness, United Kingdom
a brilliant museum in a quite part of ely, the exhibits need more time than we had to spare, a full day is needed to do justice, well laid out , excellent exhibits, worth our visit to ely just to come here
9. Waterside Antiques
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 56 reviews
Reviewed By SaffagirlUK - Ely, United Kingdom
I love Waterside Antiques and can happily lose many hours in there. This place is huge, spread over three floors and full to bursting with everything from antique jewellery to vintage clothing and rare books. There is something to interest all tastes. My teenage daughter collects China tea sets and she is spoilt for choice every time we visit. It is very easily to leave there with a much lighter wallet!
10. Prickwillow Drainage Engine Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By Coralie R - Sandhurst, United Kingdom
There happened to a classic car show on outside, that really added to the day. On the day I went there were stalls using the spare space in the building selling models, jewellery and bric-à-brac. Another space had an art installation. A barbecue was on the go outside. The engines were run one at a time, I saw two go in the short time I had - wonderful, powerful beasts, lovingly nurtured into life by skilful volunteers. The history of the fens drainage system is explained round the walls. There was a super cafe, again run by volunteers. This place is a precious slice of fen history, it seems to be run by people who give up their time as they know it is important to keep the knowledge alive. Wonderful.
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