VE Day 80: Military Tours

Join us in a shared moment of celebration as we mark the end of the war in Europe and WWII as a whole on 8 May 1945.

Organised nationally by the Association of English Cathedrals and in partnership with Visit Ely. The day’s activities start with the Raising of the VE80 Flag at 9am in the Market Square, followed by a service at Ely War Memorial at 10.45am.

We then invite you to come together in the Cathedral at 12.45pm when the bugle will sound and for the reading of the National Tribute by the Mayor. We will be celebrating national and local stories, both digitally and with specialist in-person tours throughout the day.

Free admission and places on our special Military guided tours will apply to all veterans and current service personnel (subject to availability*).

Guided Tours

Join our knowledgeable Guide on this fascinating tour of the Cathedral, where you will hear stories of:

• The heroic dash by a Royal Navy Destroyer with M.I.6 Agents, to snatch members of the Dutch Royal family, diplomats and all of Hollands industrial diamonds from under the very nose of the Nazi onslaught on Amsterdam

• The terrible price paid by the courageous R.A.F. Bomber-Command aircrews to destroy Hitler’s War-aims.

• The Cambridgeshire regiments sent to the other side of the world who suffered tragic loss, trying to save Singapore. And the mystery of the missing regiment’s drums.

• The Evacuees and the refugees who made a temporary home, here on the Fens.

• The people of the Fens on the Homefront who coped with the privations of the ‘war-years ‘with stoic fortitude and inventiveness.

Please Note: the tour will be at ground level only.

Date and Times: Thursday 8 May at 11.30 & 14.00. The tour takes around 1 hour.

Tickets: £5 (in addition to the £14 visitor ticket)

*Two free places per tour are available on a ‘first-come’ basis. Please book in person in advance, bringing the relevant veteran/service personnel ID to book.

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. A minimum of 2 visitors is needed for a tour to go ahead.

Please meet in the North Transept 5 minutes before the start time. The tours begin promptly, and late comers are unable to join the group once the tour is underway.