Loading...
Loading

Ely Cathedral

Before the drainage of the Fens, Ely was an island in the midst of the marshland. In the seventh century St Ethelreda, queen of Northumbria, founded an abbey here, later occupied by the Benedictines. The present building was begun by Simeon, the first Norman abbot, in 1083, and by 1109, when the bishopric of Ely was founded, the eastern part was complete.

Must-see attractions nearby:
Ely Cathedral
The western half was completed in 1180-90. In 1322 the Norman crossing tower collapsed. Unlike other churches where this happened - as it did not infrequently - the cathedral was not given a new spire but a unique stone octagon surmounted by an octagonal timber lantern. The new structure, completed in 1342, is of remarkable harmony and beauty.
Things to See

Buildings

The surviving conventual buildings of Ely Cathedral are occupied by the King's School, among them the beautiful Prior Crauden's Chapel and the Queen's Hall. The vicarage of St Mary's Church was occupied by Oliver Cromwell and his family from 1636-1647.

Interior

On entering the cathedral through the beautiful west doorway the visitor's first impression is of the astonishing lightness of the 248ft/76m-long nave, typically Norman in style though it is. This is due to the elaborate articulation of the 12 bays, and also perhaps to the painted ceiling, a 19th century addition. The Octagon (radius 82ft/25m) supported by 16 oak trunks, the only structure of its kind in England, is as impressive from the inside as from the exterior. The Norman southwest transept serves as the baptistery. St Edmund's Chapel contains a wall painting from about 1200 and a beautiful 15th century screen, both restored. The choir has three elegant Decorated bays at the west end. The 59 misericords of the choir stalls (1342) have mostly been renewed. Behind the choir is the chapel (1486-1500) built by Bishop Alcock, patron of Porterhouse and founder of Jesus College, Cambridge. The Lady Chapel, an admirable example of the Decorated style, contains sculptured scenes from the life of the Virgin, with hundreds of now headless statuettes. In the north gallery is a museum of stained glass.

Stained Glass Museum

In the main body of Ely Cathedral are excellent examples of 19th C stained glass. The stained glass museum contains more than 100 original panels dating from 1240 to the present. (Back-lit and at eye-level).
Address
Stained Glass Museum / Ely Cathedral
South Triforium
Ely CB7 4DL
England
Hours
May 1 to September 30
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
Open7:007:007:007:007:007:007:00
Close19:0019:0019:0019:0019:0019:0019:00
October 1 to March 31
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
Open7:307:307:307:307:307:307:30
Close18:0018:0018:0018:0018:0018:0017:00
Cost
Adult 5.50
Concession or reduced rate 4.70
All values are in local currency
Disabled
Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Guides
Guided tour included with admission.
Facilities
Gift shop
Restaurant or food service
The exterior of the Ely Cathedral.
Suggest Correction  Suggest an Attraction
©Copyright 1995-2012 PlanetWare Inc. All rights reserved.
Unauthorized duplication in part or whole without prior written consent prohibited by international laws.