Unwind, Relax and Enjoy
Take time out of the normal daily grind and escape to an area full of leisure opportunities. From shopping to walking, cycling to boating there is something for everybody.
Time to browse ...
For those with an interest in retail therapy or those looking for something a little different, then the area offers an extensive range and mix of traditional and contemporary gift, craft and antique shops along with a variety of art galleries. For those who love a bargain, Ely holds three different sorts of markets from its award winning Farmers Market on the second and fourth Saturday of every month to its regular Thursday General Market and Saturday Craft and Collectibles Market.
What's Happening? ....
The area boasts an extensive events programme as well as its year round guided tour options including the popular Ely Ghost Walks. Ely's annual Eel Day kicks off the tourist season in Spring with a celebration of the city's eel traditions. Other traditional annual events such as the World Pea Shooting Championships in Witcham, just outside Ely or nearby Soham's annual Pumpkin Fair all add to the vibrancy of the area.
A stroll or a brisk walk ...
A great way to see Ely is to follow the city's heritage public art trail, which is a walk that takes you past five pieces of stunning art portraying the life cycle of an eel.
For those who want to stretch their legs further, there are a number of walks that either take you along the waterways or out to the pretty surrounding villages. Such a walk is the The Bishop's Way which is a circular route following the medieval tracks across the fens, and takes you along the route used by the Bishops of Ely to their palace in Little Downham (for more more information about walking routes see Local Walks).
On your bike ....
The area's distinctive flat landscape makes cycling an ideal option. Explore the open countryside following the National Cycling Network Route or try the Jockey's Trail which starts in nearby Newmarket and then heads north east to the Fen edge villages. Along this route you can discover the 'tragic tale of the flaming heart', visit a 15th century packhorse bridge and take a stroll along the The Devil's Dyke.
Messing about on the water ....
Take your pick between afternoon tea on the Marianne Cruise Boat or the informative tour on the Fenland Cruiser, the Liberty Belle. For the more adventurous try your hand at water sports at nearby Mepal Outdoor Centre.