Ely

Riverside Meadows, Open Fens, and Historic Streets

Ely is a small city in Cambridgeshire on the Fen Rivers Way, set beside the River Great Ouse in the heart of the Fens. Routes follow the river through the city before continuing south toward Cambridge or north across open fenland and drainage channels, linking settlement walking with wide, low-lying landscapes.

The city is arranged around a compact centre on slightly higher ground above the surrounding floodplain, with streets leading down toward the river and waterside paths. Footpaths run along the Great Ouse and across nearby meadows, allowing routes to continue directly from the urban area into open countryside.

Ely offers useful services for walkers. There are shops, cafés, pubs, places to eat and drink, and accommodation across the city, making it a practical place to stop, resupply, or stay overnight on longer Fenland routes. Rail and bus connections provide direct links to Cambridge, King’s Lynn, and surrounding towns.

Beyond Ely, the Fen Rivers Way continues south toward Wicken Fen and Cambridge or north toward Littleport and Downham Market across flat, open ground. The terrain remains level, with firm riverside paths and long views across fields, waterways, and sky.