Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Explore Ely's Rich History at Ely Museum
Ely Museum has dedicated itself to preserving and interpreting the rich history of the Isle of Ely and its surrounding areas since 1972. Our experienced team curates extensive collections spanning from prehistoric artifacts to contemporary local heritage, offering visitors a comprehensive understanding of the regions cultural and environmental evolution. Through meticulously designed exhibitions, interactive educational programs, and accessible facilities, we provide engaging experiences for all ages and backgrounds.Our expertise in fenland history, eel fishing traditions, and architectural heritage is demonstrated through both permanent displays and specialized workshops. Recognized for our contributions to cultural preservation, we maintain rigorous standards of curation and public engagement. Committed to transparency, we operate with clear admission policies, inclusive access initiatives, and regular communication through newsletters and community events.
Services
Historical Exhibitions
Educational Workshops
Room Hire
Loan Boxes
Volunteer Programs
Accessibility Services
Details
- Year established: 1972
Highlights and features
- We offer 50 years of expertise in fenland history interpretation
- Our interactive exhibits engage visitors of all ages and abilities
- We provide dedicated educational programs aligned with school curricula
- Our fully accessible facilities ensure inclusive visitor experiences
- We maintain partnerships with local historical organizations for resource sharing
Associations and certifications
- Accredited museum number 776
- Registered charity number 1156024
What people say
Interesting historical displays
Friendly staff
Educational for children
Great value family ticket
Engaging exhibits
Services
Historical Exhibitions
Our permanent and temporary exhibitions showcase Ely's heritage through authentic artifacts and interactive displays. Visitors explore prehistoric creatures, Roman cooking implements, and Saxon-era objects. The exhibits explain how fenland geography shaped local industries like eel fishing and agriculture. Educational interpretation panels provide context for diverse historical periods.
Educational Workshops
Tailored workshops support national curriculum topics for Key Stages 1-4. Students handle replica artifacts while learning about local history through eel fishing demonstrations and stone axe-making activities. Sessions align with history and geography requirements. We provide risk assessments and educational resources for teachers.
Room Hire
The Aedwen Room accommodates meetings, training sessions, and community events. The versatile space seats 20-40 people with kitchen facilities available. Commercial and charitable hires benefit from competitive rates and central location. Museum tours can be arranged as additional paid activity.
Loan Boxes
Curriculum-linked loan kits contain real and replica historical objects for classroom use. Each box focuses on specific periods like Roman Britain or the Second World War. Teachers receive handling guidance and activity suggestions. The program supports practical learning about daily life in historical periods.
Volunteer Programs
Volunteers contribute to museum operations through guiding school groups, assisting with exhibitions, and supporting events. Training provided for roles in education, curation, and visitor services. Flexible commitments available for those with several weekly hours to offer.
Questions
What historical periods does Ely Museum cover?
Our collections span from prehistoric times through Roman and Saxon eras to modern-day local history, including specific exhibits on Ely Cathedral's construction and WWII evacuations.
Are there educational resources for teachers?
Yes, we provide loan boxes with replica artifacts, curriculum-linked workshops, and planning resources for school visits covering Key Stages 1-4 history and geography topics.
Is the museum accessible for visitors with mobility needs?
Yes, we have step-free access throughout, lift access to all floors, accessible toilet facilities, and baby-changing areas to accommodate all visitors.
Does admission include guided tours?
General admission grants self-guided access. Guided group tours are available at additional cost for pre-booked groups, including specialized content for different age ranges.
Can I host events at the museum?
The Aedwen Room is available for hire with flexible seating arrangements. Commercial and charitable bookings have different rate structures with discounted prices for community organizations.
What special programs are available for children?
We offer interactive workshops, explorer kits for self-guided tours, Young Curators Club activities, and themed birthday parties focusing on historical skills and local heritage.
Reviews (4)
Nellie Gilson
Jan 19, 2022
Report
Small but perfect. Love the renovation, we’ve been a few times since it reopened and always find new things to see.
Mhai Perez
Jan 17, 2022
Report
Really interesting museum and tells you about the life of Ely from pre historic times to present days. Impressed with this museum got a fresh look , clean and super tidy. The staff are very friendly and offer great customer service. So glad to have enter this museum free with my son. We had a great time knowing more about the life in Ely. Definitely well recommend for friends who will visit Ely in the future.
Darrell Felton
Jan 17, 2022
Report
Really interesting to new people to the area. Well worth the entrance fee for a while years membership. Great for kids doing history projects about the area. The local archeological finds are impressive and part of the building is an ex-gaol which adds some extra interactive elements. Only complaints is that the space is quite small and there is a lot of history to cover so some things have not been covered in much depth. Overall enjoyed the visit and looking forward to seeing what future exhibits are organised for the gallery
Enchanting Wizard Of Rhythm
Dec 28, 2021
Report
Excellent museum in the city of ely. We had a lovely time in this small museum. They have some interesting exhibits and fossils. Set in the ruins of the old jail it has some great interactive exhibits.
