Ely Cathedral

Ely Cathedral is one of the great ecclesiastical monuments of the British Isles. Its remarkable architecture, including the famous Octagon tower built in 1322, superb Norman carvings dating from 1135 and an exceptional number of medieval monastic buildings, marks it out as a place of particular delight. The present church was built by the Normans between 1081 and 1189. In the 12th and 13th centuries the eastern end was rebuilt in the Gothic style, and since then the cathedral has remained largely unchanged, apart from the Victorian restoration, which included the magnificent painted ceiling in the nave. This colourful and informative guide to a fascinating building conducts the visitor around the site, starting at the west tower.