Serviced Apartments in Ely

Discover the best activities and attractions Ely has to offer, and find out what makes this city a vibrant and exciting place to live or visit.

Ely Cathedral
Ely Cathedral is the city’s landmark — a striking Norman and Gothic building known for its Octagon Tower, medieval carvings and regular choral services. As a cultural and spiritual hub it draws hundreds of thousands of visitors a year, supporting local hotels, pubs and shops, providing jobs (guides, stewards, maintenance) and anchoring Ely’s identity as a heritage destination. The cathedral’s programme of services, concerts, exhibitions and seasonal events (including a well‑attended Christmas market) also brings visitors year‑round, boosting footfall for the town centre and funding for conservation and education initiatives.

The Stained Glass Museum (Ely)
Housed in the cathedral’s north transept, the Stained Glass Museum showcases historic and contemporary stained glass from Britain and beyond, with displays that explore conservation and craftsmanship. It enhances Ely’s cultural offer by attracting specialist visitors, students and craft enthusiasts, supporting cultural tourism and local learning opportunities (workshops and talks). The museum helps diversify the local economy by lengthening visitor stays and connecting tourists to nearby cafés, bookshops and galleries.

Oliver Cromwell’s House
This restored 17th‑century house, where Oliver Cromwell once lived, is presented as a living history museum with period rooms and guided tours that explain Cromwell’s role in British history. As a focal point for school visits and history tourists, the house supports local guide and hospitality jobs and feeds into heritage trails around Ely. Special exhibitions and events bring repeat visitors and provide collaboration opportunities for local businesses and event suppliers.

Riverside Walks and Jubilee Gardens (River Great Ouse)
Ely’s riverside — including Jubilee Gardens and towpath walks along the Great Ouse — is a popular green space for families, walkers, cyclists and boating. These natural amenities improve quality of life for residents, increase demand for riverside cafés, pubs and boat‑hire businesses, and attract outdoor‑oriented tourists. Regular informal events (regattas, community picnics) and accessible green space contribute to community health and help sustain small local enterprises that rely on visiting trade.

Ely Market, High Street Independents and Local Dining
Ely’s market (regular market days) and compact High Street are full of independent shops, antique dealers, artisan food stalls and cafés, while notable riverside pubs and restaurants (many sourcing local produce) give the city a strong local‑food and shopping scene. This cluster supports micro‑businesses, creates local employment, and keeps tourist spending within the community. Market days and seasonal promotions also encourage visitors to explore the wider city, benefitting accommodation, guided tours and cultural venues.

Explore the diverse transport options available in Ely, from efficient public transportation systems to convenient road networks. Whether you're commuting to work or exploring the city, this section will give you an overall look at the available transportation systems.

Public Transit System
- Rail (Ely railway station) - Ely is an important railway junction with frequent regional and inter‑regional services providing direct and connecting trains to Cambridge, King's Lynn, Peterborough, Norwich and onward connections to London and other national destinations; services are operated by the main regional rail providers and the station offers ticketing facilities and passenger information.
- Local and Regional Buses - Bus services (operated by Stagecoach East and smaller local operators) link Ely with Cambridge, Newmarket, March, Chatteris and surrounding villages, providing commuter and local travel options with weekday and Saturday frequencies and reduced Sunday services.
- Intercity/Coach Services - Limited scheduled coach services and onward connections via nearby larger towns provide longer‑distance coach options; many passengers use rail for mainline intercity travel.
- Taxis and Ride‑hailing - Local taxi companies and app‑based ride services operate from ranks near the station and around the city for first/last mile travel and on‑demand trips.
- Station parking and drop‑off - Long‑stay and short‑stay car parks and a station forecourt offer park‑and‑ride style access to trains (no formal city park‑and‑ride scheme), plus facilities for passenger drop‑off and pick‑up.

Major Highways
- A10 - Major north–south route linking Ely with Cambridge to the south and routes toward London beyond Cambridge.
- A142 - East–west route connecting Ely with Newmarket and other Fenland towns, providing local and regional access.
- A1123 / A1016 (local arterial routes) - Important local A/B roads linking Ely with nearby towns and villages and providing access to surrounding rural districts.
- Access to A14 and A47 corridors - Easy onward access to the A14 (east–west corridor via Cambridge toward Ipswich/Felixstowe and the Midlands) and the A47 (toward Norwich and the Midlands) via short links from Ely, improving connections for longer road journeys.

Cycling Infrastructure
- Cycling network and bike lanes - Ely is very cycle‑friendly: the city is flat and served by a mix of signed on‑road cycle lanes, shared‑use paths, traffic‑calmed streets in the centre, and National Cycle Network Route 11 running through the area; the station provides cycle parking/secure stands and local authorities have been improving cycle links to schools, the station and key destinations.

Recent and Upcoming Improvements
- Rail capacity and station enhancements - Recent Network Rail and operator works in the Ely area have focused on reducing rail bottlenecks, improving signalling and platform/access improvements at the station to increase reliability and capacity for passenger and freight services.
- Local active travel and bus improvements - Cambridgeshire County Council and local partners have funded walking and cycling improvements and targeted bus service enhancements to support commuting and sustainable travel.
- Station accessibility and passenger facilities - Ongoing upgrades (platform works, improved waiting facilities and better CCTV/lighting) have been implemented or planned to improve passenger experience and accessibility.
- Regional transport programmes affecting Ely - Broader regional projects (timetable/service upgrades, rolling stock renewals and strategic schemes in the Cambridge sub‑region) are expected to further improve Ely’s connectivity over the coming years and may bring additional service frequency or infrastructure changes that benefit commuting and longer‑distance travel.