Description
Ely Cathedral, with its unique 14th century octagonal lantern tower, is counted among the marvels of the medieval world.
Much of the cathedral is over 900 years old and it offers a rich architectural history, including the sumptuous 13th Century Quire and beautiful 14th Lady Chapel.
Completed in 1349, the Lady Chapel is the largest of its kind in the UK. Visitors are always struck not only by its size but the extraordinary sense of light and vastness of this magnificent space.
The famous Octagon Tower, sometimes referred to as The Lantern, is a wonder of the medieval world and globally recognised as a masterpiece of engineering. A guided tower tour takes you inside the Master Carpenter’s oak Lantern Tower of huge, wooden beams. The masterful coloured panels, designed by George Gilbert Scott, open out allowing a spectacular view onto the Nave floor almost 40 meters below.
The Nave is the third longest in the UK, and the same length as Ely High Street. It’s spectacular roof of painted panels depict The Jesse Tree, and move from Creation to Revelation as you walk from the West End up to the Crossing.
Around the cathedral itself you can explore attractive parkland and one of the largest collections of medieval monastery buildings still in daily use.
Tickets include an optional tour of the ground floor.
