Ely in England is located in the county of Cambridgeshire, about 72 miles north of London. Its name derives from the fact that it was once an island surrounded by the marshy eel-filled Fens until they were drained in the 17th century.

The city was founded in 673 when the Anglo-Saxon Princess Etheldreda converted to Christianity and built a convent on the site, but archaeological evidence points to the area having been inhabited for far longer than this.

There are a great many historic homes and winding streets to travel in Ely, Cambridgeshire.

Ely Cathedral (pictured) is a very popular destination for visitors to the city. William I started construction of the building in 1083 and after several setbacks including the collapse of the main tower, the cathedral was completed in 1351.

Known formally as the Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity, it is also called "The Ship of the Fens" because of how it looks at a distance, with towers rising up over the wetlands. It is a magnificent example of Norman cathedral design and is considered to be one of the wonders of the medieval world.

Oliver Cromwell was a resident of Ely for several years after inheriting the job of tax collector in 1636. His former home is now the Ely Tourist Information Centre.

Cromwell is seen as a bit of a local hero in Ely.

The Ely Association Against the Misrepresentation of Oliver Cromwell holds that he was one of the greatest Britons ever; a simple Fenland farmer who rose up to deliver England from anarchy with parliamentary Democracy. In any event, you can tour Cromwell's former home with rooms that are restored to how they would have looked when he lived there, and make up your own mind about his legacy.

Be sure to visit the Ely Museum located in the old Bishop's Gaol, it is open every day but Tuesday.

Ely has Market Days on Thursday and Saturday. Visitors can also walk the Ely Town Trail which leads you past many historic sites and homes.

Ely in England is a very historic and interesting destination.

Photo courtesy: Jim Linwood

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