Greetings. In early May, we are considering a two-day / three-night stay in either Ely or Cambridge. We will do a day trip in Cambridge with a guided tour as well as a day trip with tours of the cathedral in Ely. Can the forum help us with pros and cons of staying in either location? Thanks in advance,
~Darrel
I haven’t been to Ely so can’t compare the two.
I really enjoyed my stay in Cambridge in 2023 and was happy that I chose to stay there. There are a number of interesting restaurants, cafes, and an outdoor market. I enjoyed taking a walking tour, visiting the botanical garden, and visiting the Fitzwilliam Museum. I saw an excellent play one evening at the Cambridge Arts Theatre (unfortunately it is temporarily closed, but there is also the ADC Theatre in Cambridge). I don’t think you can go wrong with a stay in Cambridge.
Ely is very small, Cambridge has a lot more to offer in terms of things to do and places to eat.
I’d suggest staying in Cambridge and doing a day trip to Ely.
Unless you’d prefer to stay in a very small place, in which case, stay in Ely and travel to Cambridge.
Ely is very small but the Cathedral is very impressive. Cambridge is probably the better bet for a place to stay.
You could take a day trip by train to Ely but also consider going further up the same line (on the same day) to King’s Lynn. The town has a statue of Captain George Vancouver as this was his hometown.
I agree with all the above.
Because it is relatively less visited I wonder if you could stay less expensively in Ely. Don't know, hazarding a guess.
Just so you are not let down, Ely Cathedral lovely as it is, has no bells. Great St Mary, opposite the Senate House near Kings College in Cambridge, has a fabulous ring of bells. You can hear them as far away as the other side of the market.
Great information. You have convinced us to stay in Cambridge--hopefully, being so close to an academic institution won't bring back the horrors I experienced while trying to pretend I was a serious student. I appreciate everyone's kind thoughts and recommendations. I will continue to take advantage of your wisdom as we get closer to our travels. Again, thanks.
~Darrel
Think you make a good choice too. I visited Ely last June and highly to recommend for it's cathedral, it's really impressive. But for the rest a few hours or a bit more is enough to see everything to my opinion. Two daytrips to Cambridge was not enough, I could have spend an extra day there if I wanted. Numerous restaurants for every budget.
If you have time I suggest to visit Bletcheley Park, adjacent to Milton Keynes. It was the principal centre of Allied code-breaking during WW2, very impressive. Needs an hour driving west from Cambridge, no idea how easy to get there with the train. However there is a train stop at walking distance from the park.
to answer Wil's point. Bletchley is not difficult to reach from Cambridge by car, it just isn't on the doorstep. Again not especially difficult by train, just time consuming.
By car I'd use the A428 dual carriageway to St Neots (becomes single carriageway approaching St Neots), then a very short stretch on the dual carriageway A1 (50 mph speed averaging cameras in stretches) to the dual carriageway limited access A421 towards Milton Keynes, then follow the sat nav around the roundabouts and follow signs towards Bletchley and then the Station and it is nearly across the street. A little over an hour if the traffic doesn't get you.
By train, fast train from Cambridge 48 minutes to Kings Cross Station in London, 10 minute walk or 3 stops on a bus or 1 stop on the Tube to Euston station, about 35 minutes by train to Bletchley, out the door, turn right, cross the road, you're there.
