Welcome to Ely Museum
Museum entrance
Ely Museum, a bright and friendly local history museum, located in the Bishop's Gaol in the centre of the historical city of Ely. The Museum is the history centre for the Isle of Ely & the Fens and it takes you on a journey through time from prehistory to the twentieth century.
Displays include original prison cells, fossils that can be touched, Roman remains and an archive film of the Fens including punt guns and eel catching.
A museum guide, children's guide to the galleries, toilets and a gift shop make this an ideal destination for all of the family.
Ely Museum Events
Living History days, finds identification afternoons, a programme of talks and many children's activities are just some of the fun activities and events that are held throughout the year. Read More »
What's coming next?
4 August to 31 October 2010
Something Borrowed: An Egyptian Cat in Ely In Partnership with British MuseumCats today are much loved pets but in ancient Egypt they were worshipped.
In the afterlife cats were believed to be able to convey the prayers of people on earth to the gods. To do so, like the Egyptian people themselves, they had to be mummified. Find out more about these fascinating traditions from a past world and meet our Egyptian Cat in Ely, on special loan from the British Museum.
The display charts the story of the Egyptian cat from its discovery in Egypt to the results of recent high-tech investigations using X-rays and CT scans.
Normal admission charges apply.
- The Museum
The Ely Museum Trust was set up in 1972 with much voluntary support. Dating from the 13th century, this building has been a private house, a tavern, a registry office and most famously the Bishop's Gaol. More »
Ely Museum is open all year round for pre–booked groups and offers a discounted rate for schools. A teacher's resource pack full of curriculum related information is available FREE for schools that book group visits. 
Encounter the museum's collection of fossils from marine dinosaurs, prehistoric tools and weapons, Roman pottery and Anglo Saxon jewellery. Watch the story of life in the fens and learn how eels were caught. 
Shopmobility is a scheme to provide electrically powered scooters to help people who have limited mobility to shop and use other facilities in Ely.