Octagon Tower Tours

Join our specialist Tower Guide on this fascinating tour which takes you up 170 spiral stairs inside the Octagon Tower to explore its wooden lantern.

Hear about this unique structure, suspended over the centre of the Cathedral, which was completed in 1342 and is one of the wonders of medieval engineering.

Peer through the Angel doors down into the Cathedral, and go up onto the roof of the tower (weather permitting) for amazing views over the city of Ely and surrounding Fens.

Please Note: A reasonable level of fitness is required and we advise anyone with any mobility issues or pre-existing health conditions to consider this before booking.

Days and Times:
Monday - Saturday: 11am, 12:15pm, 2pm & 3.15pm.
Sunday: 12.30pm & 1.45pm.

The tour takes around 1 hour.

Tickets: Adults £11 (in addition to your visitor ticket)
Children £9. We cannot accept children under 10 on this tour.

Please note: if you usually have Free Cathedral Entry please contact us at Box Office prior to your visit to pay for your tour, as it is not possible to book free visitor tickets on-line.

We recommend booking tickets on-line prior to your visit. Please ensure that all participants have read the Terms and Conditions as this tour may not be suitable for everyone. A minimum of 2 visitors is needed for a tour to go ahead.

Please ensure you are at the North Transept meeting point 10 minutes before the start time. The tours begin promptly and late comers are unable to join the group once the tour is underway.

For safety reasons Tower Tours may need to be suspended in extreme weather such as freezing ice or heavy rain. Full refunds will be given plus the option to rebook.