What a Golden year 2024 has been! First and foremost, we would like to thank you,
the Visitor and our community, for supporting what we do here at Visit Ely.
Every year it’s a joy to provide a first-class tourism offering and we continue to strive
to make Ely not only a place to visit, but a place that leaves you with ever-lasting
memories. This year we have seen a further increase in our visitor numbers, both
group-travel and overseas and our field events have been more successful than
ever. Our season kicked-off with the famous, and unique, Eel Festival. Ely’s very
own Eel, adorned with the golden crown, simply basked in the early May sunshine,
it was an unforgettable sight. Thousands of people joined in the three-day festival,
which brought great benefit to the economy of Ely, with shops staying open later and
restaurants fully booked.
We continued to celebrate 50 years of ‘City Status’ throughout the year with a
fantastic Armed Forces Day in June which included a very special tribute to the
D-Day Landings 80 years ago. Armoured vehicles, cadets, stalls, and more joined the
community and visitors to celebrate the past, present and future.
This year, the Visit Ely team have some news! We are launching our ‘Ely Passport’. This
48-hour ticket allows you to visit Oliver Cromwell’s House, Ely Museum, Ely Cathedral
and the Stained Glass Museum during your stay. What better way to embrace Ely at
it’s finest. Simply download our app or visit our website for further information.
Our 2025 events will certainly be memorable, so keep an eye out for dates for your
diary! You will notice from our front cover we are celebrating Railway 200! Ely is
joining the Nationwide in celebrating the 200th anniversary of the modern railway.
A special double-page spread has been dedicated to the anniversary on page 46-
47. This year we shall also celebrate and commemorate VE Day 80 and 25 years of
our Autumn Apple and Harvest Fayre in October.
Our team give thanks to the City of Ely Council who are behind all these fantastic
tourism and celebratory offerings, here’s a few words from the Mayor of Ely, ‘The
Right Worshipful Cllr Chris Phillips’
“2025 promises to be an exciting year in our city. Amongst other things we shall
be marking the 200th anniversary of the first railway in the United Kingdom and
highlighting just how important the railway has been in Ely’s development. We’ll be
remembering, too, the end of the Second World War – eighty years ago in 1945 –
with special events as well as our usual Armed Forces Day. Add to these events like
our Eel Festival and Apple Festival and it’s easy to see why Ely is such a popular
destination for visitors from all around the country. Two things always stand out
when our city celebrates. First, how strong we are as a community and how we love
coming together and second, just how warmly welcome our visitors are. A little while
ago a visiting civic dignitary said to me “One thing’s for sure – Ely knows how to do
things properly.” I could only agree!”
To that end, above is just a snippet of what we have in store for 2025, so enjoy your
visit, make memories and most importantly, tell everyone how wonderful Ely is.
Anna Bennett
Manager – Tourism and Events
