Ely Museum: Visitor information

Visitor Information

Ely Museum is located at top of Market Street, just past the Citizens Advice Bureau and a short walk from the bus stops. There is ample parking in Ely and all car parks are FREE.

If travelling by rail Ely Museum is a 20–30 minute walk from the railway station, walk up Back Hill, The Gallery and Lynn Road.

If you are planning on driving into Ely full driving directions can be obtained below.

Address & Contact Information

Ely Museum
The Old Gaol, Market Street
Ely, Cambridgshire
CB7 4LS

[Telephone] 01353 666655
[Fax] 01353 659259
[Email] admin@elymuseum.org.uk

If you would like to contact Ely Museum directly speedily you can you our contact form

Summer Opening Times

Monday — Saturday
10.30am — 5.00pm
Sunday 1.00pm — 5.00pm

Winter Opening Times

Monday — Saturday*
10.30am — 4.00pm
Sunday 1.00pm — 4.00pm
*closed on Tuesdays except for school and group bookings

Admission

Adults £3.50
Concessions £2.50
Children £1 (under 5s free)

Local Ticket: A Locals Ticket for Residents of East Cambridgeshire is available. This allows the holder to visit the museum as often as they like within one year for the price of one admission.

Joint Ticket: A joint ticket is available for Oliver Cromwell's House and Ely Museum.

Refreshment Facilities

Hot Drinks are available from a drinks machine. There are also cafes & restaurants within 5 minutes walk away in Market Street.

Public Conveniences

There are 2 toilets on the ground floor. One toilet is a disabled toilet which also has baby changing facilities.

Driving Directions

If you would like driving directions into Ely then please follow this link courtesy of Google Maps »

Online Map

This link courtesy of MultiMap »

Railway Information

Ely Museum is a short walk from Ely Railway Staion. Railway timetables can be found here »

Bus Information

Ely Museum is immediately opposite the bus stop at the top of Market Street. If you are planning a visit by bus you can view the timetables here »

Parking

There are some spaces for disabled badge holders in the High Street and down Market Street. However, these cannot be reserved and there are limits on these spaces.

The nearest car parks are in St. Mary's Street (2 hours) and Nutholt Lane near the Paradise Sports Centre (3 hours). Long stay car parking is available at Barton Road.

All parking in Ely is FREE

Visitors with Disabilities/Special Needs

From Market Street the main entrance to Ely Museum is towards the back of the buiding at the side where there is a gated courtyard. The courtyard leads to a level entrance with automatic doors that open outwards.

Stair Lift

There is a stairlift to the first floor of the museum. When you wish to use the lift please ask a custodian at the reception desk for assistance.

Wheelchairs

There is a wheelchair available for use on the first floor when you alight from the stair lift. There is also a wheelchair available on the ground floor.

Hearing Loops

There is a hearing loop available at the reception desk. There are also portable hearing loops available, which can be used with or without hearing aids, for use around the museum.

Ely Shopmobility

Shopmobility is a scheme to provide electrically powered scooters to help people who have limited mobility to shop and use other facilities in Ely. This service is operated from Ely Museum on behalf of East Cambridgeshire District Council and places must be pre–booked.

The scheme runs on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays 10.30am – 1pm and 2 – 4pm but to make sure that a suitable mobility aid is available, telephone the museum on 01353 666655 in advance or email: shopmobility@elymuseum.org.uk.

Vernon Cross Meeting Room

The Vernon Cross Meeting Room is available for hire during daytime and evening. For further details please telephone the museum on 01353 666655 or use our contact form

Ely Museum Information

Displays Overview

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. Find out about the Ely and Littleport riots and savour the sights and sounds of prison life. Marvel at the prisoner's graffiti and the original planking on the walls. Experience the Victorian living room and laundry room. Meet the land army girl and the local policeman and investigate the traumatic story of the Cambridgeshire Regiment's imprisonment in World War II. Continued »

Museum History Overview

Ely Museum Trust was set up in 1972 with much voluntary support. After opening in Ely High Street, the Museum moved to the Old Gaol on Market Street in 1997. Dating from the 13th century, this building has been a private house, a tavern, a registry office and most famously the Bishop's Gaol. Sensitively renovated in 1997 much of the building's history can still be seen, including prisoner's graffiti, hidden doorways and original planking on the walls. Continued »

Education Overview

Ely Museum will collect, safeguard and make accessible artefacts, which they hold in trust for the community, and encourage learning and enjoyment of the history of the Isle of Ely and the Fens.

Ely Museum provides a selection of educational activities and resources some of which are listed below. However, these resources are constantly being reviewed and improved and we would advise you contact the Museum for further information. Continued »

Ely Museum: The history centre for the Isle of Ely & the fens