Stories of Ely Cathedral Tours

Enjoy a unique chance to dive into the captivating stories behind Ely Cathedral

Monday 11 - Sunday 17 May 2026

Over this week you’ll explore tales of drama and triumph, discover incredible art and architecture, and meet the characters - famous and forgotten - who helped shape Ely and its magnificent Cathedral. Each guided tour promises a memorable journey of discovery. 

Tickets: £6 per person (suitable for age 16+), in addition to your Visitor Ticket.  If you get free cathedral entry please book tour tickets in person or by contacting the box office. If you wish to book multiple tours, you only need one visitor ticket - please book via the box office. Each tour lasts approximately 1 hour and usually requires a minimum of two people to enable the tour to go ahead. 

Let curiosity lead the way – dive into any (or all!) of these fascinating, story-packed tours:

- The Friends of Ely Cathedral: Their Contribution
Join us on a journey through time as we celebrate 90 years of the Friends of Ely Cathedral and uncover the legacy they continue to build. 
Date & Time: Tuesday 12 May, 2pm. More information and booking here.

- Faith in Flux: Reformation & Reconciliation
Walk in the footsteps of Richard Cox, one of the first canons in Ely’s New Foundation and a man with close links to Henry VIII’s royal court.
Date & Time: Wednesday 13 May, 10.30am. More information and booking here.

- The Hidden Parish - A Church Within the Cathedral
Discover how the people of Ely had a parish church in the Cathedral from medieval times until 1938, and how they managed worship in some of the trickiest parts of the building.
Date & Time: Wednesday 13 May, 12.30am. More information and booking here.

- Power & Piety: The Bishops Who Shaped Ely 
A fascinating look into the lives of bishops and other notable figures buried in the cathedral and discover how they were tied to both royal power and the church. 
Date & Time: Wednesday 13 May, 2pm. More information and booking here.

- Where Monks Walked: Ely's Historic Precinct
Ely is home to one of the largest groups of medieval monastic buildings still used every day - explore them on this outdoor tour. 
Dates & Times: Thursday 14 May, 12.30pm, Saturday 16 May, 10.30am & Sunday 17 May, 2pm. More information and booking here.

- Ely and Cambridge: The Ties That Bind
Discover the fascinating interplay between Ely and Cambridge's world-famous university, key characters, and ties which continue to this day.
Date & Time: Thursday 14 May, 2pm. More information and booking here.

- Windows Through Time: Ely Cathedral's Stories in Stained Glass
A guided stroll through time via the lenses of medieval, Victorian and twentieth century windows, where art, history and colour intertwine. 
Date & Time: Friday 15 May, 10.30am. More information and booking here.

- Restoring Glory: Ely Cathedral's Victorian Story
Step back 150 years and imagine Ely Cathedral right in the middle of an ambitious restoration programme, begun in the 1840s.
Date & Time: Friday 15 May, 10.30am. More information and booking here.

- Women of Ely: Lost Voices Revealed
Step beyond the familiar tales and discover the remarkable – often overlooked - women whose lives, legacies and quiet influences echo throughout the building. 
Date & Time: Saturday 16 May, 2pm. More information and booking here.

- Cathedral Cameos: Ely Cathedral in Film and Fiction
Step into the world of film and fiction and see Ely Cathedral through the eyes of those who've brought it to life on screen and in stories.
Date & Time: Sunday 17 May, 12.30pm. More information and booking here.

Booking and queries: email: box.office or phone 01353 660349.

‘Absolutely fascinating and such a passionate guide. You simply cannot get that level of detail without a guide and just walking around on your own’.