Jobs in Ely | Pictures of Ely

Ely is a cathedral city and in true tradition, its aesthetics appeal to everyone who appreciates some of the most impressive Medieval architecture anywhere in Europe , bolstered by a cathedral that not only dominates the town but can be seen for miles around across the flat fenland that characterises this part of Cambridgeshire.

Despite its city status, Ely has a very modest population of about 14,000 and is often referred to as the ‘ Isle of Ely ' on account of it being a solid landmass surrounded by marshes before being drained in the 1700s. And with its population set to jump by a further 7,000 by 2016 Ely is proving that it has more to offer than heritage trails and beautiful building…a lot more. And in case you were wondering why Ely is so-called, it's simply because the number of eels found in the surrounding fens heavily outnumbered the number of people living in the town.

Getting around Ely
From Ely train station it is a ten-minute walk to the centre along Station Road and its continuation Back Hill. With services operating from nearby March, Manea, Littleport and Peterbrough to the north, Thetford and Brandon to the east, and Cambridge to the south west, Ely is well-served.

The city is Ely is situated the crossroads of two main trunk roads - the A10 which links Ely with nearby Cambridge (16 miles away) and the A412 that crosses the city from Charteris to the west of the city and Newmarket to the east. There are no Park & Ride schemes operating in the area simply because there is no requirement for one. With a relatively small population, traffic congestion is rarely an issue and there are enough car spaces to go around at Barton Road , Fisherman's, Newnham Street and Ship Lane – all of which are long stay car parks.

Buses coming in from Kings Lynn and Cambridge stop in the heart of the centre on market Street Ely has a regular bus service from Cambridge . The main terminus is located in Market Street , close to the cathedral.

Eating, drinking and shopping in Ely
The main shops of Ely are located in the High Street, Market Street , Fore Hill, Market Square area and all within walking distance of one another and home to the likes of Argos, Waitrose and WHSmith. But Ely's strength is its wide variety of small and diverse shops. Just be careful when you choose to do your shopping – a number of shops in Ely observe early closing is on Tuesday and old Sunday trading laws. Thursday is Market Day in Ely and there is a popular Crafts Market on Saturdays, both held on the Market Square .

Ely has many good restaurants and bars that cater for all tastes and budgets, from traditional pub grub (with a classier tough that befits the city) and cheap eateries to national chains and fine dining.

The Waterside areas in particular has quickly found its way as one of the most popular choices for eating out and having a few drinks in recent years, thanks in part to the likes of the extensive range at The Maltings, the quaint surroundings of Peacock's tearooms, the traditional Cutter Inn and Ely's highest rated restaurant, The Boathouse.

Elsewhere, High Street and Market Street in the centre have a good range of eateries and mid-range restaurants and bars, whilst out of town there are a number of nearby villages offering award-winning pubs and restaurants with extensive and unusual menus.

Aside from the Cathedral - known locally as the "Ship of the Fens " because of its prominent shape that towers above the surrounding flat and watery landscape - little else is particularly compelling in Ely – from a tourist perspective that is. But it has a lot of charm and a great deal of appeal. The city has an idyllic array of historic buildings, many dating to medieval times and is characterized by its pattern of narrow streets and monastic buildings. The waterside area is perfect for winding-down after a hectic week at work where you can enjoy a boat trip, riverside walks, explore the many cafes and antiques shops or listen to public performances in the park.

Alternatively, the Stained Glass Museum within the cathedral, Oliver Cromwell Museum – in recognition of the Lord Protector who lived there for several years after inheriting the position of local tax collector in 1636 - and Ely Museum are a few of the other things that are worth a visit.

Ely ADeC Cinema is the city's one and only cinema showing all the latest Hollywood films. Whilst for those who like their sport Ely's choice of facilities is limited but, what do you expect from a city with a population of just 14,000 or so. That said there are around 5 health and fitness clubs in the immediate vicinity, whilst Ely City is the local football team who play in the Eastern Counties League.

Main Residential Areas
The main residential areas of Ely are Chettisham, Coveney, Witchfield, Queen Adelaide, Stuntney and Little Thetford. And all appear to have been ancient settlements at one time or another with a number of key archaeological findings dating back to the Stone and Bronze Ages found there.

If you're thinking of moving to the area, take a look at some of the current property available to buy or let in Ely.

Take a closer look
A picture is worth a thousand words. You can see some images from in and around Ely below.

Looking for local vacancies? See all current jobs in Ely or find out more information on the local area.