22/06/2026
Before i start this post I just want to say "wow" I was absoloutly blown away by how breath taking and beautiful this stunning place is, i was so captivated by it from the moment we arrived that of course i had to have a little mooch around, which found me leaving the hubby and my daughter downstairs while i scoped out the area, π€·ββοΈsorry not sorry. ππ€£
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Ely Cathedral is one of those buildings that never really runs out of exquisite things to look at. Founded in 1083, itβs a classic Norman cathedral at heart, especially in the nave, where the scale and solidity do a lot of the heavy work. But Ely is also a reminder that medieval buildings were constantly changing. When the central tower collapsed in the 14th century, the solution was the famous octagonal lantern, an extraordinary piece of engineering that floods the space with light and still feels incredibly bold today. Everywhere you look thereβs the most glorious detail painted ceilings, carved stone, timber work overhead, and doors that have been in use for centuries. Itβs not just old, itβs layered, showing how taste, technology, and ambition shifted over time. Definitely in my top 10 cathedrals. Given its turbulent past, it's no surprise that Ely Cathedral has become the focus of many ghostly legends people claim to of seen a shadowy monk gliding along the cloisters and hear ethereal singing when the cathedral is empty. There are also accounts of a headless bishop appearing near the altar during evening services.
Visitors and locals have also reported unexplained footsteps echoing through empty corridors, shadowy figures believed to be monks wandering the ancient passages of these walls and strange feelings of being watched within the cathedral's vast interior.
Some paranormal enthusiasts/ghost hunters also believe that the spiritual energy of centuries of worship remains embedded within the building's stone walls.
Known as the "Ship of the Fens" due to its commanding appearance above the surrounding landscape, Ely Cathedral continues to attract ghost hunters and history lovers alike.
Whether you believe in ghosts or not you can't deny this extraordinary building truly is a work of art in its self that is remarkably captivating. βͺοΈ π» π¦
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Whether you go during the day or in the evening I think you would find yourself pleasantly suprised, for me although it was rather busy it felt peaceful throughout, and more like any spirits lingering would be residential. π»π»π»